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Last Updated on by SCARS Editorial Team

SCARSSCARS SCARS - Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. A government registered crime victims' assistance & crime prevention nonprofit organization based in Miami, Florida, U.S.A. SCARS supports the victims of scams worldwide and through its partners in more than 60 countries around the world. Incorporated in 2015, its team has 30 years of continuous experience educating and supporting scam victims. Visit www.AgainstScams.org to learn more about SCARS.™ ScamScam A Scam is a confidence trick - a crime -  is an attempt to defraud a person or group after first gaining their trust through deception. Scams or confidence tricks exploit victims using their credulity, naïveté, compassion, vanity, irresponsibility, or greed and exploiting that. Researchers have defined confidence tricks as "a distinctive species of fraudulent conduct ... intending to further voluntary exchanges that are not mutually beneficial", as they "benefit con operators ('con men' - criminals) at the expense of their victims (the 'marks')". A scam is a crime even if no money was lost. Basics:  Scammer GrammarScammer Grammar Scammer Grammar (a term invented by the SCARS Team back in 2012) - is a writing style that is largely very bad English, bad grammar, mixed with West African slang and speech patterns. It is hard to define but easy to recognize when you see it. It is often referred to as Pidgin English, though this is not technically true. This most often shows when individual scammers (even if educated) try to improvise and create new written communications. Do a search on our website for SCAMMER GRAMMAR to find countless examples.!

Originally Published January 2010 – Updated April 20, 2019

One of the easiest ways to spot scammers from Ghana, or Nigeria, etc. is their use of language.

[lwptoc]

Introduction To ScammerScammer A Scammer or Fraudster is someone that engages in deception to obtain money or achieve another objective. They are criminals that attempt to deceive a victim into sending more or performing some other activity that benefits the scammer. Grammer

They have learned it is better to steal information from others – to steal profile text from real people. Or to use the chat session scripts they buy – but eventually, they may have to modify them or go off script.

But the messages are the dead give away.  They are written in what we call “Ghanenglish!”

Here are the keys to spotting “Ghanenglish”:

  • Lower case i’s

  • No spaces after a comma or very inconsistent spacing

  • Odd capitalization of keywords they think make a difference – like bait to a fish

  • Odd phrases & bad grammar  – nobody talks like this unless they are from West Africa:

    • your searching criteria
    • thanks for your time
    • loving young lady
    • God fearing lady
    • nice to read from you
    • average body type
    • all of these much be
    • describe my self as I would describe myself   [maybe this was Austin Powers?]
    • very charming woman
    • I value the laws of ethics
    • lighthearted lady
    • all of these much be in a relationship to make it grows
    • keep in a good shape
    • Seeking for truelove
    • I’m not thePhysical beauty for the Inner Beauty Count much as chemistry
    • I am a lady that is in need of real and perfect love
    • i want you to email me to my address and i will respond back to your mail there
    • a years young female
    • a woman with good personality
    • i will like to be your friend for now if you don’t mind
    • I am not a promiscuous woman
    • am not here for play or game
    • am not a fake person and am not a scam am not like that type of woman that lie and cheat on man
    • important in life of every happy family
    • I have no options than letting you Know
    • my Private mail
    • no scion-economic Barrier
    • compassionate Woman
    • hard working and God fearing woman
    • Your profile sparkle my interest   [must be from Donny Darko]
    • have you been commited in a strong relationship before
    • what you like
    • Are You There Well
    • I’m new to This web
    • through my serious search
    • hello,good morning,how was night
    • ,am also in search for a serious relationship too
    • I am new to this online dating
    • Anyway i will like to know
    • if we have a great chemistry

  • Improper Tenses:

    • am divorce now
    • i will like to know
    • Hope to hearing from you soon

  • Odd use of singular and plural:

    • watching movie

  • Wrong or lack of use of possessives:

    • a very good night rest

    • I’m looking for my heart desire

We think they do this because they believe that automated rules are looking for these RED FLAGS in profile text and messages.  But more likely, they just speak such bad English, they really don’t know any better.

What is so disturbing is the utter contempt of the scammer.  They all make the same mistakes, but they really don’t care, because some poor soul will always buy it!