SCARS Institute’s Encyclopedia of Scams™ Published Continuously for 25 Years
SCARS™ Scam Basics: Reporting To The Local Police
Every Single Day, Victims Speak About Their Experience Reporting To Their Local Police!
IMPORTANT: Not every country is the same!
This article mostly applies for victims in stable, rule of law countries. This includes the United States, Canada, UK & Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and some others.
Not all countries have professional police, so you will have to decide if it is worth the potential problems to report in your country.
NEVER REPORT SCAMS TO THE POLICE IN ANY FUNDAMENTALIST MUSLIM COUNTRY BECAUSE OF REAL RISK TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!
You Need To Know That Reporting Matters!
It is vitally important that your local police and national police know and understand these crimes.
Only through your reports can they do that. They can only see what is reported. They can’t guess, assume, or project – they can only work from real data. Your report provides that.
Even though nothing may happen after you report, the report itself is very important to help stop future scams because government can then allocate resources to address this issue, without the reports they remain ignorant about the true magnitude of scams.
REPORTING TO YOUR LOCAL POLICE
Are You The Problem!?
You may need an attitude adjustment before you walk into the Cop Shop. This means you need to understand what you can expect and adjust your expectations to the police correspondingly. If you are unrealistic and too demanding it will not work.
Most victims that report to their local police expect the police to drop everything and get on a plane to arrest a scammer in Ghana. That they will get right to investigating citizens of Nigeria. This is fantasy and not the way things really work.
Also, many victims are so fearful that they are almost incapable of giving the police what they need.
Get Organized
Organize your information so you can give a statement and easily answer questions.
“Just The Facts Ma’am!”
The 92 zillion pages (or more) of your chats with the scammer do not matter to the police. They want hard-data.
Organize who, what, how, and where first. Have your money transfer documents and any identifying information clearly available.
Ask To Leave Just A Report
Just ask the police to take the report for “information purposes only.” Just say you need to get a report number for your insurance. They understand this and will take the report then, and neither you nor they will have any unrealistic expectations.
Realistic Expectations
Remember that your local police cannot investigate anything beyond their jurisdiction – you have seen cop shows on TV right? How often do you see Miami police rushing to New York to arrest someone? Never! Same goes for Ghana and Nigeria.
Also, you will get more attention when you report to the FBI with a local police report number in your statement.
The report number is your gateway to being treated as a credible victim.
Just remember, not everyone understands socially engineered relationship scams. Do not expect the police to be sympathetic if you are angry, fearful, or otherwise aggressive. But they understand fraud and have a fraud department specifically for it in most localities.
Remember, you are reporting a FRAUD – not a fake relationship or a broken heart. Stick to the facts and leave out how hurt you are, they will see and understand that. Most police now know about these crimes. Stay focused on the crime – deception and money. Do not focus on how you were going to have a life together or the other lies you were told – unless they ask.
Let them ask, do not drown them in your emotions and information overload. They know what is important for the report – let them ask if they need more.
Lost Money
- They cannot get your money back.
- Assume your money is gone.
However, with the police report number, you have more power and authority with money transfer services or your bank. Their fraud departments will need that police report number.
Money Laundering / Mules
In most cases, you have nothing to fear!
You are going to them voluntarily to support them. We know of no cases where anyone that reported a scam had any difficulty afterward. But we do know of victims who acted as mules where the police had to find them or where the victim hid it that were prosecuted.
If you received money from third-parties, either a scammer or other victims, report it. If you received parcels or packages, take the items to the police and report it.
Printed Copy
Always get a printed copy of the report for your records.
Local Assistance
In most localities, there are local victims’ assistance advocates – either volunteer or professional. When you walk in ask about this!
If they do not have someone on call for scams, ask for someone that handles “domestic abuse” victims. It is very similar.
Local crime victims advocates can help you with the interviewing and reporting process, but more important can help you with resources » and services that are available to victims in your area or state.
Follow Up
You are probably not going to hear from the police again. Unless they get a request from other authorities or agencies, and in those cases, they will contact you directly. Your report will go into their system and be reported up their network.
Do not expect anything will happen in your case. However, if the scammers really are in your country something may happen.
But as we said: reporting matters since less than 5% of victims report these crimes. This means that your government does not know how bad it is.
If you understand these basics then you will not have any problems with the police. You will be able to get through the process without difficulty or without additional trauma.
Never Be Ashamed
Yes, a scammer scammed you. It is embarrassing only because you let it be.
Remember to remind yourself that you are the victim of a CRIME – period! – everything else is just drama.
NEVER BE ASHAMED!
More Information
- Why Reporting Matters :: CLICK HERE »
- Why Victims Don’t Report :: CLICK HERE »
- Commentary On Reporting :: CLICK HERE »
- How to File a Police Report :: https://www.wikihow.com/File-a-Police-Report »
- How can I get a copy of the police report? :: https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/how-get-copy-police-report.html »
- The Importance of the Police Report :: CLICK HERE »
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SCARS™ Team
A SCARS Division
Miami Florida U.S.A.
TAGS: SCARS, Scam Basics, Information About Scams, Anti-Scam, Reporting Scams, Romance Scams, Scam Victims, Never Be Ashamed, Report To Police, Local Police, Report Number, Police Report,
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MORE INFORMATION
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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.
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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 »
Legal Notices:
All original content is Copyright © 1991 – 2020 SCARS All Rights Reserved Worldwide & Webwide. Third-party copyrights acknowledge.
SCARS, RSN, Romance Scams Now, SCARS|WORLDWIDE, 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|UK, 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
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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.
I wish the police could put more effort into these cases. I lost a great deal of money.