SCARS Institute’s Encyclopedia of Scams™ Published Continuously for 25 Years
Understanding How Romance Scams Progress Is Important For Victims & Providers Alike
Romance Scams (including Romance/Investment Pig Butchering Scams) Follow A Standardized Model Or Flow
This can help all involved to understand what has happened and where a survivor is in the romance scams lifecycle.
Romance scams typically follow a similar lifecycle that can be broken down into main stages:
Romance Scams: Lure & Grooming
- Contact: The scammer initiates contact with the victim through a dating website, social media, or other online platforms. Typically they create a fake profile and use stolen photos to appear more attractive to the victim.
- Building trust: The scammer works to build a relationship with the victim, often through flattery and compliments. They may send gifts, messages, and emails to create a false sense of intimacy and trust.
Romance Scams: Manipulation
- Manipulation and pressure: Scammers often use emotional manipulation and pressure to coerce victims into sending money. They may create a sense of urgency or threaten to harm the victim or someone they care about if the money is not sent.
Romance Scams: Money Harvesting
- Request for money: Once the scammer has built a rapport with the victim, they will begin to ask for money. This may start with small requests for things like phone bills or travel expenses, but the amount and frequency of the requests will gradually increase.
Romance Scams: The End
- Disappearance: After the scammer has obtained as much money as they can, they will often just disappear. They may block the victim on social media or stop responding to messages, leaving the victim heartbroken and financially devastated. However, in other cases, the victim will discover the scam and end it themselves.
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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
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.
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