SCARS Institute’s Encyclopedia of Scams™ Published Continuously for 25 Years
RSN™ Anti-Scam Clue: Social Media Friends
When you look at a Facebook Profile and you suspect it might be fake, look also at the FRIENDS.
NOTE: real people don’t let strangers look at their friends (usually), so if you are not yet this person’s friend, and you can see all of their friends – RED FLAG. Though it could just be a person that doesn’t understand privacy settings.
If you have not locked down your privacy setting to prevent strangers from seeing your critical & personal information, such as your Facebook Friends List, then you need to do it now!
Scammers want you to see their friends list, so they can convince you they are real. It also creates a sense of competition that they use to accelerate the scam.
Gender Binging
A woman’s profile that is almost totally men from around the world is most likely not real – where are the real friends, the girlfriends, etc.
Same goes for men – if mostly or only women friends – then BIG RED FLAG.
We call this Gender Binging – nothing but one gender (or almost nothing) is an indication that this profile is targeting a gender.
Military Void
If the person says he or she is in the military, look for MANY military friends – if there are few or none – MAJOR RED FLAG.
Real men and women deployed overseas will miss their home, they will have things they miss, such as family and friends. They favorite Barbeque restaurants, and so much more. Their friends will reflect this.
Military people are also friends with lots of other people in the military, these are their friends and family away from home. While the military are warned not to share too much only, the lack of them is also a RED FLAG!
Real Friends
A real person will have family and real friends. There should be loads of relatives with the same last name. Real work friends from the same place of work.
Messy Profiles
The real world is messy and our social media reflects this – unless it was created for the purpose of scamming. Scammer profiles are always shallow. There are no company picnics, no Thanksgiving dinners, no Christmas present unwrapping. No birthday parties.
Instead, scammers attempt to invent an identity full of motivational and romantic sayings.
So remember that in social media, cleanliness is next to scamminess! Profiles that are missing real-world friends and family with a large local concentration are more likely scammers!
Friends Don’t Let Friends Friend Scammers
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Visit our Main SCARS™ News & Information Facebook page for much more information about scams and online crime: www.facebook.com/SCARS.Victims.Support.And.Recovery
Please Be Sure To Report All Scammers Here Or On www.Anyscam.Com
All original content is Copyright © 1991 – 2018 SCARS All Rights Reserved Worldwide & Webwide – RSN/Romance Scams Now & SCARS/Society of Citizens Against Romance Scams are all trademarks of Society of Citizens Against Romance Scams Inc.
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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.
OUI MAIS QUAND ON LES SIGNALE A FACEBOOK QUE TELLE OU TELLE PERSONNE SONT DES FAUX PROFILS DES FAKES AFRICAINS ILS NE FONT RIEN …… DONC ILS SONT COUPABLE ET ON APPELLE SA NON INSISTANCE EN PERSONNE EN DANGER ET SA SAS TRES GRAVE
That is not true. It is true that many times it takes more than one report to Facebook before they act. We solve this through our Anti-Scam Army on Facebook. Come and see: https://www.facebook.com/groups/RSN.Army/
Ce n’est pas vrai. Il est vrai que plusieurs fois il faut plus d’un rapport à Facebook avant d’agir. Nous résolvons cela à travers notre armée anti-escroquerie sur Facebook. Venez voir: https://www.facebook.com/groups/RSN.Army/
Yes met quite a few of them. Like i would say since i have been on here , never met any real people forva real romance i would say my beauty got me over 140 proposals and i never sent them one dime if they even asked for it , met from all over the world would of had alot more if i didnt act wise tovthem , some sent their real picture which was a nigerian after all .let be careful out there , and it will stop , if no one sends them money so please stop