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SCARS Institute’s Encyclopedia of Scams™ Published Continuously for 25 Years
What Is A Relationship Scam?
Understanding Scams Infographic!
A SCARS Insight
A Relationship Scam – Don’t You mean A Romance Scam?
Nope!
The Definition of a Relationship Scam:
It is a one-to-one criminal act that involves a trust relationship and uses deception & manipulation to get a victim to give to the criminal something of value, such as money!
A Relationship Scam includes many different types of scams, each with their own unique elements and styles:
- Romance/Dating/Love Scams
- Lotto/Sweepstakes Scams
- Marriage/Bride Scams
- Grandparent Scams
- Sextortion & Blackmail
- BEC (Business Email Compromise – phone/message/email) & Bank Wire Scams
- 419 Money/Gold Scams (Nigerian Prince Scams)
- Many Investment Scams
- Job/Work At Home Scams
- Emergency Scams
- Government Impersonation
- Tax/Social Security Scams
- Jail/Bail/Arrest Scams
- Some Influencer Scams
- Home/Rent/Mortgage Scams
- College Tuition Scams
- University Entrance Scams
And many more types where a scammer grooms or prepares a victim for harvesting!
A Relationship Scam has a basic set of stages to prepare a victim and to move them forward:
- An Initial Lure or Contact
- An Introduction Phase
- A Grooming Phase
- A Capture & Control Phase – Application of Manipulation
- A Closer Phase (Get Money)
- A Wind-down Phase
- Post-Scam Scam Phases:
- Threats & Coercion
- Follow Up Money Recovery Scams
- Follow Up Private Investigator Scams
- Follow Up Police Reporting Scams
Each of these is being performed by human criminals, either part of one group or by separate groups all focused on extracting as much as possible from each victim!
Each group of criminals engages in their own various models and businesses to steal as much as possible.
The Key in All Relationship Scams is that there is a Trust Relationship between the Victim & Scammer!
Remember, a Relationship Scam can use many different communication platforms:
- Social Media/Websites
- Games & VR
- Email/Messaging
- Phone/SMS Text
- And many others
It will also be a stranger contacting you, but they may look like a friend or family member!
Remember, everyone can fall for a Relationship Scam!
Regardless of age, race, nationality, or culture, everyone will fall for a scam! The only solution is to distrust strangers, assume it is a scam first, develop new safety behaviors, and have someone you trust to look before you jump into something new!
Share the Knowledge about Relationship Scams before it is too late!
The next victim could be your Parents, Children, or Best Friend!
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Table of Contents
- Understanding Scams Infographic!
- Nope!
- The Key in All Relationship Scams is that there is a Trust Relationship between the Victim & Scammer!
- Remember, everyone can fall for a Relationship Scam!
- Share the Knowledge about Relationship Scams before it is too late!
The next victim could be your Parents, Children, or Best Friend! - Scam Victim Self-Help Do-It-Yourself Recovery Books
- SCARS Printed Books For Every Scam Survivor From SCARS Publishing
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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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The techniques and tactics used by scammers is limitless. I’ve blocked email, phone numbers, social platforms etc. In this digital age, there is so much one can do. I’ve resorted to protect myself by only answer phone numbers that I know, only correspond to email address I have in my contact list and tried to keep the contact list up to date. Also turn on cell phone features that will block suspicious calls before it will ring.
Tha basic set of stages to prepare a victim and move forward were followed to the letter by my relationship scammers.
Can I find a way to use someone Gmail address to see if she is scamming me
Do you mean to take over a gmail account? You understand that it is a crime, a felony to do that?