To Be A Scammer? An Overview Of Scammers Fraudsters & Online Con Artists – 2024 [UPDATED]

What Does It Mean To Be A Scammer?

This Is Not As Simple As It Sounds!

This Article Applies To African Scammers Wherever They May Be Found

A SCARS Insight

Article Abstract

The complexity of being a scammer, fraudster, or con artist is unveiled through various definitions and nuanced behaviors. While dictionaries define them as perpetrators of deceit, the reality encompasses a spectrum.

Scammers employ social engineering, manipulate victims emotionally, and devise traps to extract valuables. Some revel in control and exploitation, using religion or justifications for their actions. The truth, however, reveals a more intricate narrative: many are not inherently evil but view victims as business opportunities. Scammers span diverse backgrounds, and while some regret their actions, others remain indifferent until consequences arise.

Scamming brings material gains but corrodes the soul, leading to sociopathy and constant fear of retribution. Understanding their actions without condoning them is crucial. Hating scammers only inflicts inner turmoil. Victims must decide their stance, ultimately aiming to move forward without letting scammers dominate their thoughts and emotions.

So? What Does It Mean To Be A Scammer/Fraudster/Con Artist?

Is this complicated or simple?

The dictionary defines ‘Scammers’ or ‘fraudsters’ as:

One who perpetrates a scam, a person who commits or participates in a fraudulent scheme or operation.

The Urban Dictionary defines a Scammer as:

One who does everything in his/her power to steal from another, usually by means of trickery, deceit, and force. With the accessibility and anonymity that the internet provides, scammers have become increasingly prevalent in modern times. Usually driven by personal greed or even outright amusement, they are unhindered by sympathy or morals and are the very face of human corruption.

The Cambridge University Dictionary defines a Scammer as:

Someone who makes money using illegal methods, especially by tricking people

Synonyms: a dishonest person; a cheat; a liar; a cheater; a crook; a fraud or fraudster; a cowboy; a shark

That is getting closer to the truth, but still is not quite right!

First, let’s look at what a Scammer Does!

A Scammer Does:

  • They use social engineering to lure in unsuspecting victims.
  • They create a set of deceptions or lies – a story to justify their intent.
  • They often use a personal relationship as a control mechanism.
  • They groom and then manipulate a prospective victim.
  • They create a trap that requires the victim to give the scammer something of value (money).
  • They maintain the situation as long as possible to extract everything of value possible from the victim.
  • They often threaten the victim when they cannot pay more.
  • When the scam ends they want the victim broken and silent.

But there is More:

  • Some scammers take sadistic pleasure in commanding a victim to do what they want and then leave them on the floor penniless and emotionally broken.
  • Some scammers use mystical religion and ritual to give them divine powers to engage in doing wrong to others.
  • Many scammers seem to enjoy the feelings of conquest every time to manipulate another victim to do what they want.
  • Many scammers feel completely justified because of delusional anti-colonial justifications.
  • Many scammers enjoy their greed and justify it because they are entitled to it.
  • Many scammers laugh when they read victims’ stories.

However, the Truth is also More Complex:

  • Most scammers are not really evil people.
  • Most scammers work this as a business and victims are just a business opportunity – telemarketer thinking.
  • Many scammers actually care about the victims, though this does not stop them. We have actually had scammers contact us because they were worried about a victim.
  • Many scammers get up, go to work, and this is what they do.
  • Scammers come from over 100 countries.
  • Scammers are of almost every race, religion, and culture.

Are they Sorry about doing it?

  • Some are very troubled by it but they do not stop until they have enough money for their needs.
  • Many are not troubled at all – until they get arrested.
  • Many incorporate their families, girlfriends, and even children into scamming.
  • Scamming buys them cars, homes, and luxury.
  • Scamming allows them to educate themselves.
  • Scamming allows them to travel – usually, so they can continue scamming from someplace new.

But here is what SCARS Believes:

  • Scamming is profoundly corrupting of a person’s soul, in very similar ways to aggressive telemarketing sales (maybe that is scamming too after all).
  • Many scammers become more sociopathic the longer they do it.
  • But all scammers live in fear of being caught, no matter what they say.
  • Scammers enjoy luxury for a while but spend their life looking over their shoulders because the internet never forgets.
  • Even though most victims do not report these crimes the information is out there just waiting for a scammer to make a mistake.

We believe Scammers are Human Beings who have allowed themselves to do something evil!

We would never justify what they do, but we strive to understand it. You cannot defeat something unless you can.

Evil and corruption are contagious. They spread from person to person subtly like a virus. Unless your ethics are clear, it will creep up on a person – it happens with politicians, businesspeople, activists, dictators, and so many others. Scammers are just one of the flavors of this corruption.

Almost all people have done something wrong in their lives. It makes it more understandable, though never justifiable.

In Summary

In summary, scammers are all of this and much more. But just maybe, while we work hard to stop them for the criminals they are, we should not hate them personally. After all, hating scammers only harms the person hating. Instead, we should just recognize them for what they are: they are just criminals and not deserving of our pain, our emotions, and our thought. We can condemn them while still feeling pity for a life gone wrong.

Each victim has to make up their own mind on this but remember that the hate you feel for a scammer is not worth what it will do to you!

The most important thing you can do, is move forward with your life and don’t allow scammers to live rent-free in your mind any longer!

SCARS Resources:

Other Cyber Resources

-/ 30 /-

What do you think about this?
Please share your thoughts in a comment below!

SCARS FREE Support & Recovery Program - 4 EVER FREE

Do You Need Support?
Get It Now!

SCARS provides the leading Support & Recovery program for relationship scam victims – completely FREE!

Our managed peer support groups allow victims to talk to other survivors and recover in the most experienced environment possible, for as long as they need. Recovery takes as long as it takes – we put no limits on our support!

SCARS is the most trusted support & education provider in the world. Our team is certified in trauma-informed care, grief counseling, and so much more!

To apply to join our groups visit support.AgainstScams.org

We also offer separate support groups for family & friends too.

SCARS STAR Membership

Become a
SCARS STAR™ Member

SCARS offers memberships in our STAR program, which includes many benefits for a very low annual membership fee!

SCARS STAR Membership benefits include:

  • FREE Counseling or Therapy Benefit from our partner BetterHelp.com
  • Exclusive members-only content & publications
  • Discounts on SCARS Self-Help Books Save
  • And more!

To learn more about the SCARS STAR Membership visit membership.AgainstScams.org

To become a SCARS STAR Member right now visit join.AgainstScams.org

SCARS Publishing Self-Help Recovery Books Available At shop.AgainstScams.org

Scam Victim Self-Help Do-It-Yourself Recovery Books

SCARS Printed Books For Every Scam Survivor From SCARS Publishing

Visit shop.AgainstScams.org

Each is based on our SCARS Team’s 32-plus years of experience.

SCARS Website Visitors receive an Extra 10% Discount
Use Discount Code “romanacescamsnow” at Checkout

FIND SCAMMER PHOTOS ON
ScammerPhotos.com

FIND SCARS ON FACEBOOK
CLICK HERE

Legal Disclaimer:

The content provided on this platform regarding psychological topics is intended solely for educational and entertainment purposes. The publisher makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information presented. The content is designed to raise awareness about various psychological subjects, and readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and verify information independently.

The information presented does not constitute professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment of any psychological disorder or disease. It is not a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Readers are advised to seek the guidance of a licensed medical professional for any questions or concerns related to their mental health.

The publisher disclaims any responsibility for actions taken or not taken based on the content provided. The treatment of psychological issues is a serious matter, and readers should consult with qualified professionals to address their specific circumstances. The content on this platform is not intended to create, and receipt of it does not constitute, a therapist-client relationship.

Interpretation and Definitions

Definitions

For the purposes of this Disclaimer:

  • Company (referred to as either “the Company”, “We”, “Us” or “Our” in this Disclaimer) refers to Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. (registered d.b.a. “SCARS”,) 9561 Fountainbleau Blvd., Suit 602, Miami FL 33172.
  • Service refers to the Website.
  • You means the individual accessing this website, or the company, or other legal entity on behalf of which such individual is accessing or using the Service, as applicable.
  • Website refers to RomanceScamsNOW.com, accessible from https://romancescamsnow.com

Website Disclaimer

The information contained on this website is for general information purposes only.

The Company assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions in the contents of the Service.

In no event shall the Company be liable for any special, direct, indirect, consequential, or incidental damages or any damages whatsoever, whether in an action of contract, negligence or other tort, arising out of or in connection with the use of the Service or the contents of the Service. The Company reserves the right to make additions, deletions, or modifications to the contents on the Service at any time without prior notice.

The Company does not warrant this website in any way.

External Links Disclaimer

This website may contain links to external websites that are not provided or maintained by or in any way affiliated with the Company.

Please note that the Company does not guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or completeness of any information on these external websites.

Errors and Omissions Disclaimer

The information given by SCARS is for general guidance on matters of interest only. Even if the Company takes every precaution to ensure that the content of this website is both current and accurate, errors can occur. Plus, given the changing nature of laws, rules, and regulations, there may be delays, omissions, or inaccuracies in the information contained on this website.

SCARS is not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for the results obtained from the use of this information.

Fair Use Disclaimer

SCARS may use copyrighted material that has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. The Company is making such material available for criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research.

The Company believes this constitutes a “fair use” of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the United States Copyright law.

If You wish to use copyrighted material from this website for your own purposes that go beyond fair use, You must obtain permission from the copyright owner.

Views Expressed Disclaimer

The Service may contain views and opinions which are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any other author, agency, organization, employer, or company, including SCARS.

Comments published by users are their sole responsibility and the users will take full responsibility, liability, and blame for any libel or litigation that results from something written in or as a direct result of something written in a comment. The Company is not liable for any comment published by users and reserves the right to delete any comment for any reason whatsoever.

No Responsibility Disclaimer

The information on the Service is provided with the understanding that the Company is not herein engaged in rendering legal, accounting, tax, medical or mental health, or other professional advice and services. As such, it should not be used as a substitute for consultation with professional accounting, tax, legal, medical or mental health, or other competent advisers.

In no event shall the Company, its team, board of directors, volunteers, or its suppliers be liable for any special, incidental, indirect, or consequential damages whatsoever arising out of or in connection with your access or use or inability to access or use the Service.

“Use at Your Own Risk” Disclaimer

All information on this website is provided “as is”, with no guarantee of completeness, accuracy, timeliness or of the results obtained from the use of this information, and without warranty of any kind, express or implied, including, but not limited to warranties of performance, merchantability, and fitness for a particular purpose.

SCARS will not be liable to You or anyone else for any decision made or action taken in reliance on the information given by the Service or for any consequential, special, or similar damages, even if advised of the possibility of such damages.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Disclaimer, You can contact Us:

  • By email: contact@AgainstScams.org

PLEASE NOTE: Psychology Clarification

The following specific modalities within the practice of psychology are restricted to psychologists appropriately trained in the use of such modalities:

  • Diagnosis: The diagnosis of mental, emotional, or brain disorders and related behaviors.
  • Psychoanalysis: Psychoanalysis is a type of therapy that focuses on helping individuals to understand and resolve unconscious conflicts.
  • Hypnosis: Hypnosis is a state of trance in which individuals are more susceptible to suggestion. It can be used to treat a variety of conditions, including anxiety, depression, and pain.
  • Biofeedback: Biofeedback is a type of therapy that teaches individuals to control their bodily functions, such as heart rate and blood pressure. It can be used to treat a variety of conditions, including stress, anxiety, and pain.
  • Behavioral analysis: Behavioral analysis is a type of therapy that focuses on changing individuals’ behaviors. It is often used to treat conditions such as autism and ADHD.
    Neuropsychology: Neuropsychology is a type of psychology that focuses on the relationship between the brain and behavior. It is often used to assess and treat cognitive impairments caused by brain injuries or diseases.

SCARS and the members of the SCARS Team do not engage in any of the above modalities in relationship to scam victims. SCARS is not a mental healthcare provider and recognizes the importance of professionalism and separation between its work and that of the licensed practice of psychology.

SCARS is an educational provider of generalized self-help information that individuals can use for their own benefit to achieve their own goals related to emotional trauma. SCARS recommends that all scam victims see professional counselors or therapists to help them determine the suitability of any specific information or practices that may help them.

SCARS cannot diagnose or treat any individuals, nor can it state the effectiveness of any educational information that it may provide, regardless of its experience in interacting with traumatized scam victims over time. All information that SCARS provides is purely for general educational purposes to help scam victims become aware of and better understand the topics and to be able to dialog with their counselors or therapists.

It is important that all readers understand these distinctions and that they apply the information that SCARS may publish at their own risk, and should do so only after consulting a licensed psychologist or mental healthcare provider.

SCARS IS A DIGITAL PUBLISHER AND DOES NOT OFFER HEALTH OR MEDICAL ADVICE, LEGAL ADVICE, FINANCIAL ADVICE, OR SERVICES THAT SCARS IS NOT LICENSED OR REGISTERED TO PERFORM.

IF YOU’RE FACING A MEDICAL EMERGENCY, CALL YOUR LOCAL EMERGENCY SERVICES IMMEDIATELY, OR VISIT THE NEAREST EMERGENCY ROOM OR URGENT CARE CENTER. YOU SHOULD CONSULT YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER BEFORE FOLLOWING ANY MEDICALLY RELATED INFORMATION PRESENTED ON OUR PAGES.

ALWAYS CONSULT A LICENSED ATTORNEY FOR ANY ADVICE REGARDING LEGAL MATTERS.

A LICENSED FINANCIAL OR TAX PROFESSIONAL SHOULD BE CONSULTED BEFORE ACTING ON ANY INFORMATION RELATING TO YOUR PERSONAL FINANCES OR TAX RELATED ISSUES AND INFORMATION.

SCARS IS NOT A PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR – WE DO NOT PROVIDE INVESTIGATIVE SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS OR BUSINESSES. ANY INVESTIGATIONS THAT SCARS MAY PERFORM IS NOT A SERVICE PROVIDED TO THIRD-PARTIES. INFORMATION REPORTED TO SCARS MAY BE FORWARDED TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AS SCARS SEE FIT AND APPROPRIATE.

This content and other material contained on the website, apps, newsletter, and products (“Content”), is general in nature and for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice; the Content is not intended to be a substitute for licensed or regulated professional advice. Always consult your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider, lawyer, financial, or tax professional with any questions you may have regarding the educational information contained herein. SCARS makes no guarantees about the efficacy of information described on or in SCARS’ Content. The information contained is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible situations or effects. SCARS does not recommend or endorse any specific professional or care provider, product, service, or other information that may be mentioned in SCARS’ websites, apps, and Content unless explicitly identified as such.

The disclaimers herein are provided on this page for ease of reference. These disclaimers supplement and are a part of SCARS’ website’s Terms of Use. 

All original content is Copyright © 1991 – 2023 Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. (Registered D.B.A SCARS) All Rights Reserved Worldwide & Webwide. Third-party copyrights acknowledge.

U.S. State of Florida Registration Nonprofit (Not for Profit) #N20000011978 [SCARS DBA Registered #G20000137918] – Learn more at www.AgainstScams.org

View the claimed and or registered indicia, service marks, and trademarks of Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc., All Rights Reserved Worldwide

Contact the law firm for the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Incorporated by email at legal@AgainstScams.org

Share This Information - Choose Your Social Media!

3 Comments

  1. Carmen Rivera January 7, 2024 at 9:19 am - Reply

    Great article. To move forward is the key for recovery, although is not easy to accept. I was able to close the fake relationship door behind me and start moving forward. My promise to myself is to never look back.

  2. Theresa Poitras September 15, 2023 at 9:10 am - Reply

    Great article, I thought there was something wrong with me because I never felt hate for the man who scammed me. I felt some anger, shame and confusion. I also am aware of the part I played. I can honestly say I reached a point when I knew I was paying for a service. I will send you money and you tell me nice things so I can feel young, beautiful and desirable. I had some soul searching to do. I didn’t like myself much. After awhile l was chasing the dragon like any other addiction and came to a place where I wondered who was scamming who. Today I am grateful to be out of the scam and have leaned a lot about myself from the experience. Still going through a grieving process and looking forward to life in the real world.

Please Leave A Comment - Tell Us What You Think About This!