SCARS Institute’s Encyclopedia of Scams™ Published Continuously for 25 Years
SCARS™ Commentary: Leave Other Victims Alone!
We Mean Impersonation Victims – The Face In The Stolen Photo!
IT IS SAD THAT WE HAVE TO KEEP SAYING THIS OVER AND OVER
DO NOT TRY TO CONTACT THE REAL PERSON IN THE STOLEN PHOTO
[lwptoc]
WARNING: This is going to be blunt, because this is the only way to reach some victims – this does not apply to most romance scam victims.
Invading The Privacy Of Impersonation Victims Is Not Ok.
In many cases, it causes profound disruption for their families and has even led to divorce.
Do Not Try And Contact The Real Man Or Woman In The Photos – He/She Is A Victim Too!
He or she already knows their photo is being used because of the hundred or thousands of other victims that have contacted them.
Remember, while you may want closure, that is not the way to get it. Leave them in peace, please!
It is important to understand when your own behavior crosses a line. Hunting down an impersonation victim is one of those times.
You were scammed because you acted impulsively. Yet by hunting down an impersonation victim, you are just doing it again!
You May Also Be Breaking The Law!
In fact, in the U.S. and other countries, it is actually a form of stalking (including cyber-stalking) and is a crime.
The Legal Definition Of Stalking:
Stalking is behavior wherein an individual willfully and repeatedly engages in a knowing course of harassing conduct directed at another person, which reasonably and seriously alarms, torments, or terrorizes that person. Stalking involves one person’s obsessive behavior toward another person. Initially, stalking will usually take the form of annoying, threatening, or obscene telephone calls, emails or letters. The calls may start with one or two a day but can quickly increase in frequency. Stalkers may conduct covert surveillance of the victim, following every move his/her target makes. Even the victim’s home may be staked out. Many will stop after they have been arrested, prosecuted, and/or convicted.
That is the definition of hunting someone down because you fell in love with their photo.
If you are tempted to do this, please talk with a therapist, counselor, or other mental health professional.
You Do Not Have A Relationship With Them
You do NOT have a relationship with the face in the photo – regardless of how much you want it and imagine it – that is just a fantasy.
Romance scam victims have gone so far as to accuse the real people of being scammers creating total chaos in the lives of the other person. Some have gone around to their local communities making these accusations. Some have physically threatened the lives of the person and their families.
We Are Sympathetic, But …
We are sympathetic to a romance scam victim’s emotions after the scam, but one more wrong does not make a right.
A romance scam victim that hunts down the real person should take a hard look at their real motivation – in almost all cases it is a fantasy that when you meet this person they will somehow want to continue the relationship with you. That is a delusion. An act of selfishness, not altruism.
We cannot offer everyone beds of roses, all we can offer is the truth – hard as it may be to hear sometimes.
Recovering after a scam is not easy. One of the hardest things to discover about yourself is your own impulsiveness and disregard for your own ethics. Hunting down an innocent person is an example of that.
We encourage you to seek help after your scam. The trauma can be profound and most victims do need help to show them the path out of it. We have helped thousands recover and would like you to consider one of our online crime victims’ support groups (here is one: «www.facebook.com/groups/RSN.Support.Group.27»)
Please remember that we are here to help and that sometimes helping means getting through to you with the harsh truth!
PLEASE SHARE OUR ARTICLES WITH YOUR CONTACTS
HELP OTHERS STAY SAFE ONLINE
SCARS™ Team
A SCARS Division
Miami Florida U.S.A.
TAGS: SCARS, Important Article, Information About Scams, Anti-Scam, Abuse, Cyberstalking, Delusion, Face In The Photo, Fantasy Relationship, Impersonation Victims, Invading Their Privacy, Stalking, Stolen Faces, Stolen Photos, Threats,
CHAT WITH SCARS™ – «CLICK HERE» [icon name=”comment” class=”” unprefixed_class=”2x”]
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MORE INFORMATION
– – –
Tell us about your experiences with Romance Scammers in our
« Scams Discussion Forum on Facebook »
– – –
FAQ: How Do You Properly Report Scammers?
It is essential that law enforcement knows about scams & scammers, even though there is nothing (in most cases) that they can do.
Always report scams involving money lost or where you received money to:
- Local Police – ask them to take an “informational” police report – say you need it for your insurance
- Your National Police or FBI « www.IC3.gov »
- The SCARS|CDN™ Cybercriminal Data Network – Worldwide Reporting Network « HERE » or on « www.Anyscam.com »
This helps your government understand the problem, and allows law enforcement to add scammers on watch lists worldwide.
– – –
Visit our NEW Main SCARS Facebook page for much more information about scams and online crime: « www.facebook.com/SCARS.News.And.Information »
To learn more about SCARS visit « www.AgainstScams.org »
Please be sure to report all scammers
« HERE » or on « www.Anyscam.com »
Legal Notices:
All original content is Copyright © 1991 – 2020 SCARS All Rights Reserved Worldwide & Webwide. Third-party copyrights acknowledge.
SCARS, RSN, Romance Scams Now, SCARS|WORLDWIDE, SCARS|GLOBAL, SCARS, Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams, Society of Citizens Against Romance Scams, SCARS|ANYSCAM, Project Anyscam, Anyscam, SCARS|GOFCH, GOFCH, SCARS|CHINA, SCARS|CDN, SCARS|UK, SCARS Cybercriminal Data Network, Cobalt Alert, Scam Victims Support Group, are all trademarks of Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Incorporated.
Contact the law firm for the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Incorporated by email at legal@AgainstScams.org
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Table of Contents
- We Mean Impersonation Victims – The Face In The Stolen Photo!
- Invading The Privacy Of Impersonation Victims Is Not Ok.
- Do Not Try And Contact The Real Man Or Woman In The Photos – He/She Is A Victim Too!
- You May Also Be Breaking The Law!
- The Legal Definition Of Stalking:
- You Do Not Have A Relationship With Them
- We Are Sympathetic, But …
- CHAT WITH SCARS™ – «CLICK HERE» [icon name=”comment” class=”” unprefixed_class=”2x”]
- Tell us about your experiences with Romance Scammers in our
« Scams Discussion Forum on Facebook » - FAQ: How Do You Properly Report Scammers?
- Please be sure to report all scammers
« HERE » or on « www.Anyscam.com » - Legal Notices:
Rapid Report Scammers
In the U.S. & Canada
U.S. & Canada Suicide Lifeline 988
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ARTICLE META
Important Information for New Scam Victims
- Please visit www.ScamVictimsSupport.org – a SCARS Website for New Scam Victims & Sextortion Victims
- Enroll in FREE SCARS Scam Survivor’s School now at www.SCARSeducation.org
- Please visit www.ScamPsychology.org – to more fully understand the psychological concepts involved in scams and scam victim recovery
If you are looking for local trauma counselors please visit counseling.AgainstScams.org or join SCARS for our counseling/therapy benefit: membership.AgainstScams.org
If you need to speak with someone now, you can dial 988 or find phone numbers for crisis hotlines all around the world here: www.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines
A Note About Labeling!
We often use the term ‘scam victim’ in our articles, but this is a convenience to help those searching for information in search engines like Google. It is just a convenience and has no deeper meaning. If you have come through such an experience, YOU are a Survivor! It was not your fault. You are not alone! Axios!
A Question of Trust
At the SCARS Institute, we invite you to do your own research on the topics we speak about and publish, Our team investigates the subject being discussed, especially when it comes to understanding the scam victims-survivors experience. You can do Google searches but in many cases, you will have to wade through scientific papers and studies. However, remember that biases and perspectives matter and influence the outcome. Regardless, we encourage you to explore these topics as thoroughly as you can for your own awareness.
Statement About Victim Blaming
SCARS Institute articles examine different aspects of the scam victim experience, as well as those who may have been secondary victims. This work focuses on understanding victimization through the science of victimology, including common psychological and behavioral responses. The purpose is to help victims and survivors understand why these crimes occurred, reduce shame and self-blame, strengthen recovery programs and victim opportunities, and lower the risk of future victimization.
At times, these discussions may sound uncomfortable, overwhelming, or may be mistaken for blame. They are not. Scam victims are never blamed. Our goal is to explain the mechanisms of deception and the human responses that scammers exploit, and the processes that occur after the scam ends, so victims can better understand what happened to them and why it felt convincing at the time, and what the path looks like going forward.
Articles that address the psychology, neurology, physiology, and other characteristics of scams and the victim experience recognize that all people share cognitive and emotional traits that can be manipulated under the right conditions. These characteristics are not flaws. They are normal human functions that criminals deliberately exploit. Victims typically have little awareness of these mechanisms while a scam is unfolding and a very limited ability to control them. Awareness often comes only after the harm has occurred.
By explaining these processes, these articles help victims make sense of their experiences, understand common post-scam reactions, and identify ways to protect themselves moving forward. This knowledge supports recovery by replacing confusion and self-blame with clarity, context, and self-compassion.
Additional educational material on these topics is available at ScamPsychology.org – ScamsNOW.com and other SCARS Institute websites.
Psychology Disclaimer:
All articles about psychology and the human brain on this website are for information & education only
The information provided in this article is intended for educational and self-help purposes only and should not be construed as a substitute for professional therapy or counseling.
While any self-help techniques outlined herein may be beneficial for scam victims seeking to recover from their experience and move towards recovery, it is important to consult with a qualified mental health professional before initiating any course of action. Each individual’s experience and needs are unique, and what works for one person may not be suitable for another.
Additionally, any approach may not be appropriate for individuals with certain pre-existing mental health conditions or trauma histories. It is advisable to seek guidance from a licensed therapist or counselor who can provide personalized support, guidance, and treatment tailored to your specific needs.
If you are experiencing significant distress or emotional difficulties related to a scam or other traumatic event, please consult your doctor or mental health provider for appropriate care and support.
Also read our SCARS Institute Statement about Professional Care for Scam Victims – click here to go to our ScamsNOW.com website.
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