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

A New Study Analyzes Who Will Be Scammed
Sensitive people more vulnerable to online dating scams
The Study Was Conducted by the BRITISH PSYCHOLOGICAL SOCIETY
Per their results, sensitive and less emotionally intelligent people are more likely to be vulnerable to online dating scams.
That is the finding of a study by Dr Martin Graff of the University of South Wales presented on Tuesday 26 April 2016, at the British Psychological Society Annual Conference in Nottingham, England.
Dr Graff said: “Perpetrators of dating scams simply set up false profiles on dating websites with the sole purpose of extracting money from their victims. The scammer first grooms a victim by expressing love for them before outlining their desperate circumstances. They then attempt to request money from the victim. Our study focused on why some individuals are more likely to become the victims of these scams than others.”
In the study, over 90 victims of dating scams took part in questionnaires relating to their personality, how they relate to other people, self-esteem and emotional intelligence; as well as their age and gender.
After the results were analyzed, they revealed that victims had used dating sites for less than four weeks and had parted with amounts ranging from £50 (US$73) to £63,000 (US$92,000). Victims had a tendency to be efficient, organized and disciplined. However, they also were more likely to express emotion and display a preoccupied attachment style. This means they could be overly dependent on and seeking approval from the person to whom they are attached (which in this case was the scammer).
Martin said: “With the rise in the number of people using online dating, more and more people are likely to fall victim. Scammers use sophisticated techniques and eventually may begin to know exactly the sort of people to target and how to manipulate them.”
“These findings will be beneficial to dating sites and law enforcement agencies in attempting to protect the vulnerable from being scammed. Further research should include interviews with a larger sample of people who have been the dating scam victims.”
The analysis also revealed that the people who were most likely to be victims of online dating scams tended to be efficient, organized, and disciplined, but they were also much more likely to be sensitive, express emotions, and display a preoccupied attachment style. As the researchers explain, this means that they could be overly dependent on others and seeking approval from the person they’re attached to.
In our increasingly digitized world, there’s a rise in the number of people who are using online dating, which means more and more people are likely to become victims of dating scams. Martin says that online scammers used sophisticated techniques and “eventually may begin to know exactly the sort of people to target and how to manipulate them.”
On a more positive note, a recent study found that psychopaths have a particularly hard time manipulating others online. While their charming facades are harder to see through in person, the research revealed that their ability to manipulate others is much less effective without a visual medium.
To view the press release click here »
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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!
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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.
so if the scammers are using the sophisticated methodes to groom them victims, so what kind of sort the personality would be qualificated toi the criminal psychology??
Don’t understand your question.