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

SCAM VICTIM TRIGGER WARNING:
Real Criminal Scammer Photos
Viewing Scammer Photos (Real Or Stolen Photos) May Be Upsetting To Scam Victims
Viewer Discretion Is Advised

Why Do Scammers Steal & Use Stolen Photos
Scammers steal photos of real people to use in romance scams and other scams primarily because it lends credibility and authenticity to their fabricated personas. By presenting themselves as someone with genuine photos and a seemingly real identity, scammers can quickly establish trust and rapport with their victims more effectively. These stolen images often depict attractive individuals, which can entice potential targets and make them more susceptible to manipulation – this is a result of a cognitive bias called the ‘Halo Effect‘. Moreover, using photos of real people adds a layer of complexity to the scam, making it harder for victims to detect the deception. Overall, incorporating genuine photos into their schemes enables scammers to exploit the emotions and vulnerabilities of their targets more effectively, increasing the likelihood of financial gain.

This Stolen Identity: Melanie Pavola
Do You Know Melanie Pavola?
She Is Frequently Used By Scammers To Fool Male Scam Victims!
You Have Probably Seen Her Photos Before!
Her name is Melanie Pavola and she is a Cam Girl & Model
Remember, regardless of the story you were told, ex or current North American or European Adult Stars do not live in Ghana or Nigeria!
Melanie Pavola Is Another Scammers Choice Award Winner
Of course, you don’t really know Melanie Pavola, since these are stolen photos used by African Romance Scammers, but he is popular!
If you see her photos on social media or on a dating site – guess what? She is being used by Online Fraudsters & Cybercriminals!
Remember Melanie Pavola’s face for the next time you see him!
Here is a gallery of Melanie Pavola’s photos we have found used by Romance Scammers:
Click On An Image To View – If The Gallery Does Not Display Refresh The Page
Do you have or have seen other photos of Melanie Pavola? Send them to us on our website www.Anyscam.com
WARNING:
- Do Not Contact Her – You Do Not Have A Relationship With Her! That is called Cyberstalking!
- She Does Not Want To Hear From Men Who Have Fallen In Love With Her Face!
- She Is A Victim Also And Deserving Of Her Privacy And Respect
- She Knows Her Identity Has Been Stolen And Used By Scammers
- If you attempt to track down the face in the photo and contact them that is cyberstalking and is a crime
If You Are Being Impersonated & Your Photos Stolen
Please contact us, SCARS can help you develop effective strategies to combat this abuse of your identity!
Please contact us by email to impersonation@AgainstScams.org
One of our specialized team members will follow up and help you to address this problem of your stolen photos being used by criminals to defraud others.
SCARS Scammer Preferencing Study
SCARS is conducting a long-term study of the ways that impersonation criminals preference the photos they select. It is important to understand why scammers choose the photos they do. Remember that these criminals select a limited number of images to be used in their impersonations and why they choose them can help both in training AI to recognize these choices and also alert victims about them when they see them in profiles and contacts online.
For example, we have learned that scammers are victims of their own cognitive biases just like their victims. They tend to select images that reflect what they believe will be disarming and trustworthy. Photos with animals, for example, trigger an amygdala hijack in their victims. Photos of people doing normal things tend to communicate that the people in those photos are normal and trustworthy. But those same biases in the criminals also lead them to select images that represent what they hope to accomplish, such as wealth, if you know what to look for.
Every stolen photo on this site is a part of this scholarly study and contributes to the volume of knowledge we obtain from them. To learn more about the current SCARS research visit study,AgainstScams.org To add photos that you have collected from these criminals to our work visit www.AnyScam.com
For more, see our SCARS Institute Statement on the Use and Display of Stolen Photos in Scam Awareness and Crime Prevention Efforts – 2024
-/ 30 /-
What do you think about this?
Please share your thoughts in a comment below!
Article Rating
Table of Contents
POPULAR ARTICLES
RATE THIS ARTICLE?
LEAVE A COMMENT?
Thank you for your comment. You may receive an email to follow up. We never share your data with marketers.
Recent Comments
On Other Articles
on Resilience Coping Recovery And Romance Scam Victims [UPDATED 2024]: “I am grateful to SCARS for providing supportive information and guidance in a very overwhelming situation. The education I have…” May 13, 19:19
on ARTICLE HAS MOVED: Scam Victim’s Responsibilities: “This article with the list of steps toward recovery and the video are thoughtful, beautiful and thought provoking. With the…” May 12, 21:12
on Scam Victim Apathy – Scams Are Somebody Else’s Problem: “Thank you for this article. I had no idea of the Tall Poppy Syndrome. However I have experienced as a…” May 12, 20:31
on Disengaging From A Fake Scam Relationship: “This article felt like a trip back in time and a reminder of how far I’ve come. At first, the…” May 12, 18:33
on Cognition and Trauma – The Impact Of Relationship Scams – UPDATED 2024: “This is a great article that assures me I’m not crazy and that what I went through, and still struggle…” May 12, 09:13
on Scam Victim Panic Attacks: “I’m grateful that I don’t have panic attacks. I did have high levels of anxiety that caused me to self-isolate…” May 12, 08:48
on Brain Fog Caused By Scam Related PTSD: “I experienced all of the examples of brain fog in the weeks after the scam ended. I was in a…” May 11, 22:34
on Report Scammers: “My gosh! I should have done a reverse photo lookup before deepening the conversation with a scammer. A man claiming…” May 11, 15:09
on Scam Victim’s/Survivor’s Guide To Writing Your Own Book About Your Experience – For Healing & Profit – 2024: “This is a concept of processing my emotions I had not considered. However, it will never be. The scammers impersonated…” May 11, 12:27
on Trauma Grief & Humor As A Coping Mechanism: “Humor is not something I’ve been able to participate much with. It has been a slow gradual process to be…” May 11, 12:17
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
Some of our articles discuss various aspects of victims. This is both about better understanding victims (the science of victimology) and their behaviors and psychology. This helps us to educate victims/survivors about why these crimes happened and to not blame themselves, better develop recovery programs, and to help victims avoid scams in the future. At times this may sound like blaming the victim, but it does not blame scam victims, we are simply explaining the hows and whys of the experience victims have.
These articles, about the Psychology of Scams or Victim Psychology – meaning that all humans have psychological or cognitive characteristics in common that can either be exploited or work against us – help us all to understand the unique challenges victims face before, during, and after scams, fraud, or cybercrimes. These sometimes talk about some of the vulnerabilities the scammers exploit. Victims rarely have control of them or are even aware of them, until something like a scam happens and then they can learn how their mind works and how to overcome these mechanisms.
Articles like these help victims and others understand these processes and how to help prevent them from being exploited again or to help them recover more easily by understanding their post-scam behaviors. Learn more about the Psychology of Scams at www.ScamPsychology.org
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.
I have a real porn star scammer she got me for 150 thousand her name is Briana lee
am much cheated by josie ann mill miller, a girl who appears in africa posts ghana she promises many money and wants money to leave her in romania 10000 $
NO YOU ARE NOT CHEATED BY JOSIE ANN MILLER, YOU ARE CHEATED BY THE SCAMMER THAT STOLE HER PHOTOS.