SCARS Institute’s Encyclopedia of Scams™ Published Continuously for 25 Years
SCARS™ Insight: What Do Scam Victims Believe – Part One
Want To Know What Other Scam Victims Think, Feel, or Believe?
The following are the results of surveys and analysis conducted by SCARS on their social media pages on Facebook and elsewhere, then summarized and analyzed by the SCARS|ANALYTICS division of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
Data presented is as of December 24, 2018
Victim’s Views On Scams & Scammers
QUESTION: Do you think that looking at all of the photos of scammers makes you feel like NOTHING IS BEING DONE about scammers?
Does it make you feel frustrated?
QUESTION: Was your scammer an American Soldier or something else?
Have you noticed that almost all fake soldiers are just that ARMY SOLDIERS? You almost never see Navy Sailors, Marines, Air Force, NASA, or CIA. And they are almost always American, very few Europeans.
QUESTION: What Are You Willing To Do To End Scams?
Do you think that U.S. Foreign Aid should be conditional on West African Governments reducing scamming by 50% per year?
QUESTION: What Are You Willing To Do To End Scams?
Are you willing to donate $20 to a charitable organization to help end scams?
QUESTION: Do you think that anything can really be done to stop scammers without changing the laws or treaties that govern international cybercrime and cybercriminals?
QUESTION: When you look at fake profiles now – does it make you FEEL FEAR seeing those fake faces?
QUESTION: When you look at fake profiles now – does it make you FEEL ANGRY seeing those fake faces?
QUESTION: While you were being scammed did it cause you to distance yourself from your family and friends?
QUESTION: Did your scammer threaten you when you told them you knew they were a scammer and wanted to end it?
QUESTION: At first, did you think that you would be able to get your money back? That someone would get it for you?
Victim’s Views On Social Media & Online Safety
QUESTION: Would you pay $10 a month for Facebook to increase online safety?
SCAM VICTIM SURVEY: EXPOSURE
QUESTION: How much of YOUR PERSONAL LIFE did you expose to your scammer?
Did you talk about your children, family, jobs, finances, property, etc.?
QUESTION: Do you really think that you can tell the difference between real people and a fake on Facebook?
QUESTION: Are you concerned about the misuse of your data whenever you are required to provide personal information or sensitive data to others?
Victim’s Views On Recovery
QUESTION: As a scam victim what are you more interested in:
- Looking at scammer photos?
- Or learning to understand scams and how you were manipulated?
Did you know that MOST victims choose one or the other and NOT both! Which is more important to you?
QUESTION: Do you think it is traumatic to look at scammer photos?
Does it make you feel unhappy, anxious, sad, or depressed seeing the faces of scammers?
QUESTION: Which do YOU think plays a LARGER role in preventing scam victims from emotional or psychological recovery?
QUESTION: HOW ARE YOU SLEEPING?
After your scam how are you sleeping? Are you have difficulty sleeping because of your scam?
IS IT HARD TO SLEEP?
QUESTION: Which do YOU think is more important to ALL VICTIMS?
Exposing Scammers or Recovering From Scams?
QUESTION: Would you prefer to just forget about your scam as though it never happened?
Victims Views On SCARS & RSN
QUESTION: Do you find that SCARS has helped you RECOVER from your scam?
QUESTION: SCARS is the leading publisher of anti-scam information online worldwide. BUT are we publishing too much for you all to assimilate and read?
SCARS™ Team
A SCARS Division
Miami Florida U.S.A.
END
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Tell us about your experiences with Romance Scammers in our Scams Discussion Forum on Facebook »
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FAQ: How Do You Properly Report Scammers?
It is essential that law enforcement knows about scams & scammers, even though there is nothing (in most cases) that they can do.
Always report scams involving money lost or where you received money to:
- Local Police – ask them to take an “informational” police report – say you need it for your insurance
- Your National Police or FBI (www.IC3.gov)
- The SCARS|CDN™ Cybercriminal Data Network – Worldwide Reporting Network HERE or on www.Anyscam.com
This helps your government understand the problem, and allows law enforcement to add scammers on watch lists worldwide.
– – –
Visit our NEW Main SCARS Facebook page for much more information about scams and online crime: www.facebook.com/SCARS.News.And.Information
To learn more about SCARS visit www.AgainstScams.org
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 Relationship Scams are all trademarks of Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Incorporated (formerly the Society of Citizens Against Romance Scams)
Legal Notices:
All original content is Copyright © 1991 – 2018 SCARS All Rights Reserved Worldwide & Webwide. Third-party copyrights acknowledge.
SCARS, RSN, Romance Scams Now, SCARS|GLOBAL, SCARS, Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams, Society of Citizens Against Romance Scams, SCARS|ANYSCAM, Project Anyscam, Anyscam, SCARS|GOFCH, GOFCH, SCARS|CHINA, SCARS|CDN, SCARS Cybercriminal Data Network, Cobalt Alert, Scam Victims Support Group, are all trademarks of Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Incorporated.
Contact the law firm for the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Incorporated by email at legal@AgainstScams.org
-/ 30 /-
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Table of Contents
- Want To Know What Other Scam Victims Think, Feel, or Believe?
- Victim’s Views On Scams & Scammers
- QUESTION: Do you think that looking at all of the photos of scammers makes you feel like NOTHING IS BEING DONE about scammers?
- QUESTION: Was your scammer an American Soldier or something else?
- QUESTION: What Are You Willing To Do To End Scams?
- QUESTION: What Are You Willing To Do To End Scams?
- QUESTION: Do you think that anything can really be done to stop scammers without changing the laws or treaties that govern international cybercrime and cybercriminals?
- QUESTION: When you look at fake profiles now – does it make you FEEL FEAR seeing those fake faces?
- QUESTION: When you look at fake profiles now – does it make you FEEL ANGRY seeing those fake faces?
- QUESTION: While you were being scammed did it cause you to distance yourself from your family and friends?
- QUESTION: Did your scammer threaten you when you told them you knew they were a scammer and wanted to end it?
- QUESTION: At first, did you think that you would be able to get your money back? That someone would get it for you?
- Victim’s Views On Social Media & Online Safety
- QUESTION: Would you pay $10 a month for Facebook to increase online safety?
- QUESTION: How much of YOUR PERSONAL LIFE did you expose to your scammer?
- QUESTION: Do you really think that you can tell the difference between real people and a fake on Facebook?
- QUESTION: Are you concerned about the misuse of your data whenever you are required to provide personal information or sensitive data to others?
- Victim’s Views On Recovery
- QUESTION: As a scam victim what are you more interested in:
- QUESTION: Do you think it is traumatic to look at scammer photos?
- QUESTION: Which do YOU think plays a LARGER role in preventing scam victims from emotional or psychological recovery?
- QUESTION: HOW ARE YOU SLEEPING?
- QUESTION: Which do YOU think is more important to ALL VICTIMS?
- QUESTION: Would you prefer to just forget about your scam as though it never happened?
- Victims Views On SCARS & RSN
- QUESTION: Do you find that SCARS has helped you RECOVER from your scam?
- QUESTION: SCARS is the leading publisher of anti-scam information online worldwide. BUT are we publishing too much for you all to assimilate and read?
- Tell us about your experiences with Romance Scammers in our Scams Discussion Forum on Facebook »
- Please be sure to report all scammers HERE or on www.Anyscam.com
Rapid Report Scammers
In the U.S. & Canada
U.S. & Canada Suicide Lifeline 988
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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.
I think some victims are comfortable believing the illusion because it fulfills a romantic relationship fantasy. The victim believe they are so smart they couldn’t possibly be scammed. They tell themselves they won’t let it get too far when people try to bait scammer, but it soon becomes an addiction. There are victims that have become obsessed with finding the true owners of the photos in hopes of forming a friendship and/or relationship because they have developed an emotional attachment to the people in the photos. Anyway you look at it, it is horrible. I have read threads where women and men have admitted they were “Repeat Victims”. SMDH.