SCARS Institute’s Encyclopedia of Scams™ Published Continuously for 25 Years
Romance Fraud has been with us for hundreds of years at least.
Fraudsters pretending to be in love to gain money is commonplace! But they have been online since the early 1990s.
Our team began educating about them starting in 1991.
Did You Know?
It is estimated that 50% of all online profiles and accounts are fake!
In This Webinar
In this Webinar we are going to talk about two of the many types:
- Pig Butchering Romance Investment Fraud
- Military Impersonation Romance Fraud
Pig Butchering Scams/Fraud
- This is a new evolution in relationship scams that started in 2019/2020 – beginning in China.
- It is much easier for the criminals to perpetrate.
- They do not have to create a fake emergency or other need for money.
- They develop a relationship (romantic or friendship) with the victim and then introduce the investment opportunity.
- The criminal shares how well they have done with their investments then invites the victim to try it too!
- The criminal shares what website or app they use and suggests that the victim invest a small amount.
- Once the victim makes the first small investment, they see immediate return/growth & profit – this is the HOOK!
- Once the victim is convinced of the opportunity (hooked) – the criminal suggests a larger amount – all the money the victim has – because it is too good an opportunity to miss!
- The victim then sends the second batch of money.
- Once they do, everything typically disappears.
- The money is gone! The criminal is also gone!
What Do You Do Now?
- Immediately report this to the police and your bank!
- If you sent money through your bank demand that they recall the transfer.
- Most likely the money is gone!
- For most victims, all you can do now is try to recover from this experience!
How Can You Avoid & Recognize A Pig Butchering Scam
- Don’t talk to strangers – once the conversation begins they have you!
- Any mention of an investment – run away!
- Verify any business you are thinking of giving your money to!
Military Impersonation Scams/Fraud
Criminals use stolen photos and fake identities to develop a romantic relationship with the victim. The goal is to steal the victim’s money!
But this is not really a romance at all! It is a deliberate act of violence against vulnerable victims!
Your emotions were just tools in the hands of these criminals! You were expertly manipulated.
How Does It Begin?
- You are contacted by a stranger online.
- It could be on a dating site, social media, a messenger platform, or even in an online game.
- A conversation begins and then within a matter of days the criminals are beginning the grooming – setting you up for manipulation and control.
- The first act is to deploy Amygdala Hijacks or ‘Love Bombs’ – these are specifically intended to hijack your emotions and cause feelings without your consent.
Typical Scenarios?
- A soldier on a peace keeping mission somewhere in a war zone.
- They are lonely and fall in love with you fast.
- They want leave to come visit you – they need permission & money for this!
- They are widowed and have a child – they need money for something.
- They have a box of treasure & want to send it to you – but need money.
- They need food or supplies – need money for this!
- They always need money! They want yours!
Next Comes The Manipulation:
- The grooming lasts for anything from days to weeks, and then gradually stronger manipulation begins.
- ‘Gaslighting’ is a typical technique used to help isolate the victim from their support circle and make them more vulnerable & controllable.
- Their goal is to isolate you from family and friends so that you will not listen to them, or ask them about the things they are seeing.
- In most cases, victims will be handed off to different criminals for the different phases of the crime.
You Send Your Money:
- The criminals often ask for a small amount of money at first.
- With each successful harvest, you are more willing to send more.
- They will ask for everything you have until you say no.
- Then the tone changes. Can become more hostile and threatening.
- The more you resist the more pressure they put on you.
- They may use blackmail if you sent intimate photos!
Report The Crime
You are the victim of organized transnational criminals!
Take this seriously. The reason scams are so out of control is that only about 1% of victims report these crimes!
- Every report matters!
- Police may not chase after the scammers but the reports help the government to extradite them!
- Reporting also restores your power and control!
- It helps you accept that you are the victim and not to blame!
Where To Report?
- Get prepared first: https://romancescamsnow.com/dating-scams/a-scam-victims-checklist-interacting-with-the-police/
- Report to your local police and get a report number!
- Report to your financial institutions and give them the report number!
- Report to your national police or the FBI at www.IC3.gov
- Report to the U.S. FTC at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/?orgcode=SCARS
- Report to the SCARS global network at www.Anyscams.com
- Keep the evidence – you may need it later!
To learn more about the topics covered in this webinar visit:
- How To Explain It To Others
- Reporting Scammers – How To Tell Your Story To Your Local Police!
- 3 Steps For New Victims
- A Scam Victim’s Checklist
- Understanding Law Enforcement
- How Do You Get Closure?
- Why Reporting Matters?
- Reporting To The Local Police
- Reporting Romance Scams: Why Survivors Often Don’t
- 2022 Scam Update – A Podcast With Dr. Tim McGuinness And Debby Montgomery Johnson
- Psychology of Scams & Victim Trauma – Article Catalog
- Recovering from Scams – Article Catalog
- Information For Family & Friends – Article Catalog
- Money Mules & Money Laundering – Article Catalog
To learn more about who SCARS is visit www.AgainstScams.org To find a local counselor or therapist visit either: www.opencounseling.com and www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/trauma-and-ptsd If you are looking for a support group please contact us at: www.facebook.com/groups/SCARS.Avoidance.Information.Public.Group
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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.
![SCARS Webinar: Romance Scams #1 - Pig Butchering Fraud & Military Impersonation Fraud [VIDEO] niprc1.png1 150x1501 11](https://scamsnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/niprc1.png1_-150x1501-11.webp "SCARS Webinar: Romance Scams #1 - Pig Butchering Fraud & Military Impersonation Fraud [VIDEO] niprc1.png1 150x1501 11")
Okay, so… I am beside myself. It is my cousin who is 42 yrs old and a military veteran who is a victim of a romance scam. We talk every day on the phone, and he has filled my ears with red flags. In the past couple of weeks I have been asking questions and taking notes. I have gently shared my suspicion concerning this girl. Only to realize he is in partial denial.
He is struggling financially and says he doesn’t know what to say or do anymore. I give advice and he becomes avoidant and ends our current phone conversation. Though, he always calls me back within a couple of hours.
My cousin and I live in different states, with several states between us.
How do I help him???
Some of the things he has shared with me is;
“Hannah is active in the military, stationed in Ghana”
“Her accounts are frozen”
She has an 8 yr old daughter who lives in Canada, under the care of a grandmother.
The daughter has been in the hospital – needs payment for that.
The daughter needs glasses – $3500
Grandma needs more money for one thing or another….
Her house burned down in California, Bay Area (in the past couple of months)
He “lets” her charge $800 per month from his debit card to a > Solomon Ny**** < who then changes the money to crypto. (this has gone on for at least 26 months)
Today he told me she has his SSN and has access to everything… email addresses, etc.
He also told me that in all this time, they have only had three or four phone conversations and she sounds like a different person each time.
She told him there is 15-20 million dollars in gold to be transferred to him (for when she returns to the states to live with him) … but he needs to pay $60,000!
I am feeling SiCk over this.
I sent him a message on messenger, and the following day he told me that she had contacted him wanting to know who "Lindsey Walt" is. She asked him "if he has even met me" she told him that everyone's a "scammer" except for her!
The thing is, a couple of years ago.. my cousin had a tumor on his brain and had major surgery for removal. I am unsure if his previous medical issue has compromised him, or..?
He needs HELP. I need guidance on HOW to help him. I am in Oregon. He is in Kansas.
Can someone contact me please?
I am thankful I found this site. Looking for deeper insight or resources.
Please send him to http://www.ScamVictimsSupport.org so he can begin to understand what has happened to him.