SCARS Institute’s Encyclopedia of Scams™ Published Continuously for 25 Years
SCARS™ Scam Basics: Road Trip Or Out Of The Country!
Why Are Most Romance Scammers Never At Home?
Why Do They Tell You They’Re Out Of The Country?
There are several reasons for this, but most of it comes down to two key points!
- They do not want to get trapped into having local knowledge
- They will ultimately need to have the victim send the money to another country
Local Knowledge
In the first case, scammers are very ignorant about the real world. Testing their knowledge about the location they claim to live in will almost always trip them up – even though they could Google it, they will never be as familiar as someone that actually lives in that country or been there.
In fact, one of the best ways to trip up a scammer is to spend a few minute research the location they claim is their home and then quizzing them about. Especially if you make up a place and ask them if they remember it. They will fear sounding like a scammer and most of the time agree they know it – even though you made it up!
Sorry, Can’t Meet You
One of the problems with a scam is saying you are in a place and having a victim that wants to go there. They need to have vast distances that discourage a victim from wanting to travel there.
The combination of the distance and the events that befall the scammer help keep meeting in real life an impossibility.
Fiction Factory
Another reason they say they are traveling or went to visit another country is that they are reversing the Local Knowledge on you – they know their country, so they can sound more confident and factual when they talk about it.
Plus it gives them an additional range of topics, crisis, emergencies, and the like to weave into their fantastical stories. And it makes it all sound more exotic and romantic!
Getting The Money
In the end, the major reason for the traveling abroad stories is to reinforce the reason for the scam – receiving money in Ghana, Nigeria, or elsewhere. When they tell you where to send the money it has to be where they really are.
However, with an ever-growing number of money mules, it is becoming easier for scammers to receive the money anywhere!
As always take nothing for granted – assume scammer first last and always until you have proof!
SCARS™ Team
A SCARS Division
Miami Florida U.S.A.
Do you have a Scam or Scammer Basic question for us? Leave it in a comment and we will respond!
TAGS: Road Trip, Scammers Out Fo The Country, Never Available, Traveling In Africa, Business Trip, Military Service, Emergency, Crisis When Traveling,
END
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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Table of Contents
- Why Are Most Romance Scammers Never At Home?
- Local Knowledge
- Sorry, Can’t Meet You
- Fiction Factory
- Getting The Money
- As always take nothing for granted – assume scammer first last and always until you have proof!
- Tell us about your experiences with Romance Scammers in our Scams Discussion Forum on Facebook »
- FAQ: How Do You Properly Report Scammers?
- Please be sure to report all scammers HERE » or on www.Anyscam.com »
- Legal Notices:
Rapid Report Scammers
In the U.S. & Canada
U.S. & Canada Suicide Lifeline 988
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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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