Unseen Threats: The 3 Types of Grooming Even Adults Can Miss Online and How to Avoid Them

The 3 Types of Grooming That Are Hard to Spot—Even for Adults

Online grooming is a method used by scammers, abusers, and cybercriminals to manipulate and exploit individuals by building trust and emotional connections, often to achieve financial, sexual, or ideological goals. While most discussions about grooming focus on children and teenagers, adults are also at risk. In fact, adults can be more vulnerable than they realize, often due to loneliness, emotional distress, or misplaced trust. Here, we explore three hard-to-spot types of grooming that can trap even well-educated, experienced adults: Emotional Grooming, Financial Grooming, and Ideological Grooming. Understanding these methods and learning how to avoid them can help protect against online manipulation.

Type 1: Emotional Grooming

What It Is

Emotional grooming targets a person’s emotional needs, vulnerabilities, or desires for companionship. Scammers, or online manipulators, create a deep sense of connection and trust by feigning care, affection, or friendship. The perpetrator often plays on the victim’s emotions, providing comfort and understanding, especially during times of distress. For adults, this is particularly dangerous in romantic and friendship-based online platforms like dating apps, social media, or support groups.

How it Works

The groomer starts by establishing emotional rapport through consistent communication, listening attentively, and showing apparent interest in the victim’s life. Over time, they create a sense of emotional dependency. Once trust is solidified, the groomer may exploit the emotional bond for personal gain, such as money, control, or other forms of exploitation. In some cases, this can evolve into a more coercive relationship, where the victim becomes isolated from their real-life support systems, believing the groomer is their primary or sole source of support.

How to Avoid It

• • Set emotional boundaries online: Be cautious about oversharing personal details with people you’ve only met online.
  • Watch for red flags: Groomers often mirror your emotions to create a sense of trust. If someone seems too invested too quickly or too eager to please, this may be a warning sign.
  • Verify the person’s identity: Conduct a reverse image search on their photos or search for inconsistencies in their stories. Also, avoid forming deep emotional bonds with someone you haven’t met in person.

Type 2: Financial Grooming

What It Is

Financial grooming involves exploiting someone’s financial vulnerabilities or dependency. Fraudsters pretend to be friends, romantic partners, or trustworthy business partners to establish a bond, eventually manipulating their victims into giving them money, gifts, or sensitive financial information.

How it Works

The groomer starts by discussing financial issues, either by hinting at their own money struggles or expressing concern over the victim’s financial situation. Over time, they gradually normalize discussions around money, often presenting small, innocuous requests such as borrowing a small amount of money. Once the victim complies, the requests grow larger, often under the guise of “helping a friend,” “investment opportunities,” or “a temporary need.” In romance scams, the groomer may convince the victim that they are in a serious relationship and need money for emergencies or investments, which they promise to repay.

How to Avoid It

• • Keep financial matters private: Avoid discussing personal finances or sending money to someone you’ve only met online, no matter how trustworthy they seem.
  • Stay vigilant for money requests: If someone begins hinting or directly asking for money, gifts, or your financial details (even after an emotional connection has been established), be cautious.
  • Trust your instincts: If something feels off about financial requests, it probably is. Consult with trusted friends or family members before making financial decisions involving someone you only know online.

Type 3: Ideological Grooming

What It Is

Ideological grooming targets an individual’s belief system, whether political, religious, or social. This type of grooming often leads victims down a path of radicalization or indoctrination. Perpetrators build a connection through shared beliefs, then manipulate the victim to adopt more extreme views or take actions that serve the groomer’s ideological goals.

How it Works

Groomers start by identifying and engaging with individuals who share their broad ideology. Through prolonged discussions, the groomer gradually introduces more extreme ideas, framing them as “logical next steps” or “truths” that mainstream society ignores or suppresses. Over time, the victim becomes desensitized to radical or extreme viewpoints and is convinced to participate in harmful actions, such as sharing extremist content, attending rallies, or even engaging in illegal activities.

How to Avoid It

• • Be aware of gradual changes in belief: Radical shifts in your worldview or adopting more extreme positions should prompt self-reflection. Ask yourself whether these new beliefs are truly your own or if you’ve been influenced by someone else.
  • Verify information sources: Groomers often present misinformation as fact. Always cross-check sources and consider diverse viewpoints.
  • Limit echo chambers: Engaging with a variety of opinions and perspectives can help prevent ideological grooming. Don’t rely solely on one group or person for validation of your beliefs.

Review

Grooming is a powerful tool of manipulation that can ensnare anyone, regardless of age or experience. Emotional, financial, and ideological grooming are particularly dangerous because they often go undetected until it’s too late. To protect yourself, maintain healthy boundaries, stay critical of people’s intentions, and seek outside perspectives if you notice someone trying to manipulate your emotions, money, or beliefs. The best way to avoid falling prey to these grooming tactics is through awareness, skepticism, and careful online behavior.

By recognizing these grooming tactics, adults can better safeguard themselves against online predators who prey on vulnerability. While it is crucial to trust others and form meaningful connections, remaining vigilant and setting boundaries online can protect against falling victim to emotional, financial, or ideological manipulation.