SCARS Institute’s Encyclopedia of Scams™ Published Continuously for 25 Years
Recent Stolen Faces
2024 – 2
How Scams Work – A SCARS Institute Insight
Author:
• SCARS Institute Encyclopedia of Scams Editorial Team – Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
Scam Victim Caution
Looking at fake profile photos used by scammers can be detrimental for scam victims as it can trigger emotional distress, reigniting the trauma of being deceived and exploited. Continually exposing oneself to these images can reinforce negative memories, hinder the healing process, and maintain a cycle of obsessive thoughts and behaviors that prevent recovery. It also risks retraumatizing the victim, making it harder to move on and focus on rebuilding trust and emotional well-being.
Recent Stolen Photos Used By Scammers
These are stolen photos of real people used by relationship scammers. Each person is also a victim, please to do try to track them down and contact them.
We do not present names because each one has dozens of fake names in use, and in reality, the names do not matter. They are presented to help victims still involved in a scam to recognize the truth and break free. Just keep in mind that on Facebook alone there are estimated to be over one billion fake profiles, so it is impossible to catalog more than a small percentage.
Make Sure You Report These Crimes
- Visit reporting.AgainstScams.org to learn how to properly report scams/fraud/cybercrime and scammers/criminals
Learn and Recover
More important than stolen photos is your recovery from these crimes.
- New Victims, please go to www.ScamVictimsSupport.org to begin and find out why this happened to you!
- If you want to truly learn about these crimes and their impact on victims please enroll in the SCARS Institute free Scam Survivor’s School at www.SCARSeducation.org
- To sign up for recovery support services go to support.AgainstScams.org
We are here to HELP!
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!
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
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.
If you are in crisis, feeling desperate, or in despair please call 988 or your local crisis hotline.
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- on How You Think & Talk About Your Scam Affects Your Recovery: “I have hung on to the scams for far too long. With the intervention of an all-merciful God, I have…” Nov 6, 22:13
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- on Talia Shepard – Impersonation Victim – Stolen Photos – 2024: “Hallo ik ben Patrick uit Belgie en het is in verband over PayPal. Ik heb het dit jaar spijtig genoeg…” Oct 17, 23:08
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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
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.
Talia shepard and I have been best friends since 2006 these scamers are destroying her. Please help us.she gets leud an obscene comments all the time even with me holding her hand. Please help us. How do I know we can trust you?
If you really are her friend, please have her contact us by email to contact@againstscams.org – we can help her.