
SCARS Institute’s Encyclopedia of Scams™ Published Continuously for 25 Years

RSN COMMENTARY
Let’s Talk About Scammer Tactics For A Moment
SCAMMERS ARE NOT AMATEURS, THEY USE COMPLEX PSYCHOLOGY AND METHODOLOGIES. WHERE DID ALL OF THIS COME FROM?
Is there a strategy behind scamming?
What is the strategy behind the scammers actions?
To understand this, we need to look at the underlaying strategy that has been taught to counter movements around the world.
Look carefully at these 13 rules
The Rules:
1• “Power is not only what you have but what the enemy
[the victim] thinks you have”This is the power of your relationship and making you addicted to it
2• “Never go outside the expertise of your people”
In other words, stick to the script, stick to the narrative
3• “Whenever possible go outside the expertise of the enemy” [the victim]
Create a narrative that the victim does not understand – a soldier in a war zone for example, or an ex-porn star in Ghana
4• “Make the enemy [the victim] live up to its own book of rules”
Use manipulation to get the victim to NEED the relationship and want to send money
5• “Ridicule is mans most potent weapon”
Use threats of denial – meaning to take the relationship away as a means of controlling the victim. Also use “you don’t trust me” as a means of ridicule
6• “A good tactic is one your people enjoy”
In other words, make scamming fun for the scammers
7• “A tactic that drags on too long becomes a drag”
A typical scam should be accomplished in less time, rather than more. If it drags on too long the scammer risks losing control.
8• “Keep the pressure on”
Build up the drama in the relationship, create the crisis, and the risks if the victim does not send the money.
9• “The threat is usually more terrifying than the thing itself”
When it comes time to use threats make them horrific, even though the scammer has no power or resources to make the threat real.
10• “The major premise for tactics is the development of operations that will maintain a constant pressure upon the opposition” [the victim]
The pressure needs to be applied so that the victim’s addition is triggered quickly, and that there is a constant background risk of the relationship ending.
11• “If you push a negative hard and deep enough it will break through into its counterside”
Pressing the absurd narrative creates the relationship and maintains it until the money is sent.
12• The price of a successful attack is a constructive alternative”
The price for the victim is a “constructive alternative” – a fantasy that the victims accepts completely.
13• “Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it”
Identify your target by language and other tests, then lock them into the relationship. Then polarize and isolate the victim against friends and family to reduce risk of departure from the fantasy.
Does that sound about right? Did you experience these techniques and tactics?
Guess who wrote those 13 points?
Saul Alinsky, a personal friend and MENTOR to Barack Obama, an advisor to our ex-president AND Hillary Clinton – in his book “Rules for Radicals” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rules_for_Radicals
In other words, scammers simply employ the same tactics that the radical left uses against people the world over.
In addition, Progressive Governments want you to be a victim, which is why they did nothing to end this. In the last 11 months there has been more progress against scammers than in the previous 10 years.
RSN Team
Miami Florida USA
-/ 30 /-
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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.








Everything said is part of whole game as I call it,and is dangerous one at that,looking back on my 1st romance scam knew nothing about such a thing,not that nieve, I’m 55 and was educated through life and all things bad that I’d been through, grew up in LA,Ca so ain’t much I hadn’t seen, but as I aged I lost that edge I had, even though new something stunk from the beginning but having let my guard down and situations in my life I started to question what I knew to be truth and in doing so and knowing nothing about such a operation they got the advantage,I’d known about fraud somewhat but never had anything but few calls that I brushed of,knowing from beginning as I knew as a a con job,as known from games on streets from growing up, but could not see the progress of what had become through time and technology,I became trapped in there game and physiology they had used,today I know this could not be random person who woke up one day and thought this whole thing up,only could get most people by such a ploy is through training which requires money and networking for help in pulling off such psychological tricks they use,would need to become organized as a corporation. But I fell victim fast without help from these groups such as Romance scams.com and others,to tell me me how deep this was when I started researching the stench I could smell for help.know now why they look for elderly and the weak like,to employ these scams.by now all u wanted to do was nail this “bitch or bastard” with truth of her lies,bad idea,was not prepared for it and I ended up almost crazy because I became obsessed with doing so(psychology at its best) I was so obsessed with I dragged it on for 3 weeks before I have up playing their game and dumped that so called Bitch! everything you wrote in article I saw,and others saw as well, everyone needs information like this you wrote about to inform others however they are played wheather large or small all tactics are applied,now I take that same drive to seek every scammer that I come along on social media which is just about everyone I come across, to gather all data can to help other with information on what to look for, I’ll tell one thing im learning we all on list of our weeknesses, and that is communicated well throughout them,my belief anyway seen to much of what’s happening to shut my eyes to what i see and feel this time!
Thank You Michael