Psychology of Scams

The How & Why of Scam Psychology

From Approach & Selection to Capture & Grooming, to Manipulation & Containment!
Learn the answers to why this happened to someone like You!

A SCARS Article Subject Catalog

Our Human Psychology Enables Us To Be Scammed!

We Are Built To Be Manipulated And Scammers Know How To Do This!

However, the more you know about these psychological processes, the better you are prepared to prevent them and to change your behaviors to avoid them in the future.

Disclaimer: All of these articles are provided for educational & “entertainment” purposes – we have to say that. We are a Crime Victims’ Assistance Provider and do not provide psychological or mental healthcare – we do not offer counseling or therapy services. This information is intended to help you become aware of these topics and find a direction for your own research, or to have topics to discuss and explore with your own mental healthcare professional. These are generalized and may not apply to you.

We will update this catalog from time to time as new articles are added or recategorized.

SCARS Webinars [Videos]

Why You Were Lured Into The Scam

Victim Predisposition:

How You Were Lured

Social Engineering:

Working Against Yourself:

Grooming

How Scams Work Psychologically:

Grooming:

Manipulation & Control

Control Manipulation:

The End Game

Post-Scam Manipulation:

After-Scam Emotions & Distress

In The Aftermath:

Fear & Panic:

Suicide & Crisis:

Most Recent Psychology of Scams Articles

Requests For Removal Of Scammer Reports

Losing Control

GETTING THE PERSON BACK THAT YOU ONCE WERE …

Scam Victim’s Selfishness – A Common Behavior That Leads To Romance Scams? [Updated]

Scam Victim Mindsets

RSN™ Guide: Saving Scammers’ Current Victims

Grief & Longer Effects

Grief:

Mid to Long Term Emotional Effects:

Guilt Shame Anger & Denial

Guilt, Shame & Self-Blame:

Anger, Rage & Hate:

Denial & Help Avoidance:

Scam Victim Trauma

Learning & Coping With Trauma:

Victimization

Being A Victim:

How Can Scammers Do This:

On The Wrong Path

Mistakes Victims Make:

Recovery & Becoming A Survivor

Recovery & The Path To Becoming A Survivor:

Recovery Tools

Recovery Tools:

Points Of View

Changing & Rethinking:

Returning To Danger

Recidivism & Re-Scamming:

Scam Victims Families & Friends

Understanding & Support:

For Impersonation Victims

Stolen Lives:

More Knowledge

Research:

If you have an academic or government affiliation you can access more research at ResearchGate

To Learn More Also Look At Our Article Catalogs

New Victims

Spotting Scammers

Scam & Crime Types

Victim Support & Recovery

Victim Psychology

More SCARS

ScamsNOW Magazine – ScamsNOW.com
ContraEstafas.org
ScammerPhotos.com
AnyScam.com – reporting
AgainstScams.org – SCARS Corporate Website
SCARS YouTube Video Channel

PLEASE SHARE SO OTHERS WILL KNOW

This Is A Perfect Example Of Why You Need To Preserve The Evidence

It is vital to never throw away the evidence of a crime. You never know when new opportunities may come up for refunds or tax deductions.

As we have seen over the years, surprise refund programs do happen and if you did not keep your evidence you could miss out.

It is also important to have the information about the crime well organized. This helps in reporting the crime but also going back – sometimes after years – to apply for refunds like this program might turn into. We recommend our SCARS RED BOOK crime organizer from shop.AgainstScams.org

Also read: A Scam Victim’s Checklist

Scam Victim Self-Help Do-It-Yourself Recovery Books

SCARS Printed Books For Every Scam Survivor From SCARS Publishing

Visit shop.AgainstScams.org

Each is based on our SCARS Team’s 32-plus years of experience.

SCARS Website Visitors receive an Extra 10% Discount
Use Discount Code “romanacescamsnow” at Checkout

Nigerian Killer Bee Cybercrime Syndicate – Organized Criminal Enterprise Profile

14K Triad Cybercrime Gang – Organized Criminal Enterprise Profile

Cavalcante Cybercrime Gang – Organized Criminal Enterprise Profile

Sock Puppets & Other Fake Accounts – Learning To Avoid Them

Nigerian Men’s First Names – Helping You Spot Scammers 2023/2024

Nigerian Women’s First Names – Helping You Spot Scammers 2023/2024

Psychological Content Disclaimer

Legal Disclaimer:

The content provided on this platform regarding psychological topics is intended solely for educational and entertainment purposes. The publisher makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information presented. The content is designed to raise awareness about various psychological subjects, and readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and verify information independently.

The information presented does not constitute professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment of any psychological disorder or disease. It is not a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Readers are advised to seek the guidance of a licensed medical professional for any questions or concerns related to their mental health.

The publisher disclaims any responsibility for actions taken or not taken based on the content provided. The treatment of psychological issues is a serious matter, and readers should consult with qualified professionals to address their specific circumstances. The content on this platform is not intended to create, and receipt of it does not constitute, a therapist-client relationship.

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Company (referred to as either “the Company”, “We”, “Us” or “Our” in this Disclaimer) refers to Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. (registered d.b.a. “SCARS”,) 9561 Fountainbleau Blvd., Suit 602, Miami FL 33172.
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Educational Content

PLEASE NOTE: Psychology Clarification

The following specific modalities within the practice of psychology are restricted to psychologists appropriately trained in the use of such modalities:

Diagnosis: The diagnosis of mental, emotional, or brain disorders and related behaviors.
Psychoanalysis: Psychoanalysis is a type of therapy that focuses on helping individuals to understand and resolve unconscious conflicts.
Hypnosis: Hypnosis is a state of trance in which individuals are more susceptible to suggestion. It can be used to treat a variety of conditions, including anxiety, depression, and pain.
Biofeedback: Biofeedback is a type of therapy that teaches individuals to control their bodily functions, such as heart rate and blood pressure. It can be used to treat a variety of conditions, including stress, anxiety, and pain.
Behavioral analysis: Behavioral analysis is a type of therapy that focuses on changing individuals’ behaviors. It is often used to treat conditions such as autism and ADHD.
Neuropsychology: Neuropsychology is a type of psychology that focuses on the relationship between the brain and behavior. It is often used to assess and treat cognitive impairments caused by brain injuries or diseases.

SCARS and the members of the SCARS Team do not engage in any of the above modalities in relationship to scam victims. SCARS is not a mental healthcare provider and recognizes the importance of professionalism and separation between its work and that of the licensed practice of psychology.

SCARS is an educational provider of generalized self-help information that individuals can use for their own benefit to achieve their own goals related to emotional trauma. SCARS recommends that all scam victims see professional counselors or therapists to help them determine the suitability of any specific information or practices that may help them.

SCARS cannot diagnose or treat any individuals, nor can it state the effectiveness of any educational information that it may provide, regardless of its experience in interacting with traumatized scam victims over time. All information that SCARS provides is purely for general educational purposes to help scam victims become aware of and better understand the topics and to be able to dialog with their counselors or therapists.

It is important that all readers understand these distinctions and that they apply the information that SCARS may publish at their own risk, and should do so only after consulting a licensed psychologist or mental healthcare provider.

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3 Comments

Vianey Goes July 29, 2023 at 5:02 pm - Reply

Thank you for all the information is very helpful
Elke Touba March 25, 2022 at 2:50 pm - Reply

Ich wurde Ende 2020 von einem Scammer kontaktiert, der sich “Donald Clifford” nannte und mir Fotos des ehemaligen US-Generals John Robert “Jack” O’Connor schickte. Ich wurde emotional, aber nicht finanziell ausgebeutet. Die Identität des Mannes, in dessen Bilder ich mich verliebt hatte, habe ich erst nach Beendigung des Scams erfahren. Seither melde ich Facebook täglich Fake-Profile des Generals O’Connor, doch Facebook weigert sich, sie zu löschen. Fake-Profile des Generals, die eine Kommentierung zulassen kommentiere ich: “Stop abusing pictures, name and identity of the seven years ago retired Major General John R. O’Connor. Inzwischen haben mich mehrere Frauen aus aller Welt kontaktiert und um Auskunft gebeten: “Ist der General echt? Ist er ein Scam?” Ich gebe meine Infos weiter. Eine der Frauen (aus Brasilien) schickte mir den Screenshot einer Website, auf der ich neben “General O’Connor” abgebildet war und mit ihm gemeinsam zum Chatten einlud! Seither kämpfe ich darum, den Scammern zu untersagen, mein FB-Profilfoto für ihre kriminellen Zwecke zu nutzen und von Facebook zu verlangen, Seiten mit meinem Privatfoto zu löschen. Not easy!
- SCARS Editorial Team March 26, 2022 at 1:18 am - Reply
  
  We are sorry this has happened to you. No it is not easy.
  We suggest that you use a copyright complaint to have your photos removed from Facebook. Their legal department is more responsive than their moderators.
  Do you speak English as well?
  Es tut uns leid, dass Ihnen dies passiert ist. Nein, es ist nicht einfach.
  Wir empfehlen Ihnen, eine Urheberrechtsbeschwerde einzureichen, um Ihre Fotos von Facebook entfernen zu lassen. Ihre Rechtsabteilung ist reaktionsschneller als ihre Moderatoren.
  Sprichst du auch Englisch?

Psychology of Scams – Article Catalog