SCARS Institute’s Encyclopedia of Scams™ Published Continuously for 25 Years
RSN™ Guide: What Is The Relationship Between Scammer And Victim?
It Is The Relationship Between Predator & Prey!
Originally published by RSN in April 2016, and updated September 2018
Unfortunately, The Predators Have Been Winning For Decades!
A predator is an organism that eats (or preys) another organism. The prey is the organism which the predator eats.
Some examples of predator and prey are lion and zebra, bear and fish, and fox and rabbit. The words “predator” and “prey” are almost always used to mean only animals that eat animals, but the same concept also applies to plants: Bear and berry, rabbit and lettuce, grasshopper and leaf.
It Also Applies To Humans, Such As Criminal And Victim
Predator and prey evolve together, just like our scammers and victims. The prey is part of the predator’s environment, and the predator dies if it does not get food, so it evolves whatever is necessary in order to eat the prey: speed, stealth, camouflage (to hide while approaching the prey), a good sense of smell, sight, or hearing (to find the prey), immunity to the prey’s poison, poison (to kill the prey) the right kind of mouth parts or digestive system, etc. Likewise, the predator is part of the prey’s environment, and the prey dies if it is eaten by the predator, so it evolves whatever is necessary to avoid being eaten: speed, camouflage (to hide from the predator), a good sense of smell, sight, or hearing (to detect the predator), thorns, poison (to spray when approached or bitten), etc.
In The World Of Online Fraud, The Scammer Similarly Evolves To Stay Ahead Of The Victims, But The Victims Must Also Evolve To Stay Ahead Of The Scammers. It Is A Cycle That All Such Organisms Evolve Within
The fastest lions are able to catch food and eat, so they survive and reproduce, and gradually, faster lions make up more and more of the population. The fastest zebras are able to escape the lions, so they survive and reproduce, and gradually, faster zebras make up more and more of the population. An important thing to realize is that as both organisms become faster to adapt to their environments, their relationship remains the same: because they are both getting faster, neither gets faster in relation to the other. This is true in most predator-prey relationships unless acted upon by outside influences.
Another example of predator-prey evolution is that of the Galapagos tortoise. Galapagos tortoises eat the branches of the cactus plants that grow on the Galapagos islands. On one of the islands, where long-necked tortoises live, the branches are higher off the ground. On another island, where short-necked tortoises live, the branches are lower down. The cactuses (the prey), may have evolved high branches so that the tortoises, the predators, can’t reach them, but then the tortoises evolved to be able to reach them.
There are also other influences that can determine if predators or prey survive. These include other predators, other varieties of prey, as well as external influences.
It Is Important To Understand This Concept When We Look At The Growth Of Online Fraud
With the explosion of the internet, online predators have increased their populations exponentially. Today, it is estimated that there are over 100,000 Romance Scam Predators out there in Africa alone, and likely that number will double in the next decade. These predators are in almost every country, though they prosper in the more lawless places of the world. However, the real concentration is in Africa and Africans living in other countries. Though China and India are also huge concentrations as well.
Unfortunately, the victims (the prey) are not evolving rapidly enough. There is no balance between the scammers and the victims, the scammers have been winning since the beginning. The only limitation was access to the Internet for both predator and prey. Eventually, there would have to come a reduction in scammers, but these would simply be the more inefficient ones (the slower ones), leaving the more efficient super-scammers (this is largely what we are seeing today with the smaller gangs being arrested and the corporate cartels thriving).
Outside influences have to play a major role. Law enforcement was largely absent from this equation under the Obama Administration. Only a handful of the most obvious scammers got captured – in fact only about 400 scammers were arrested between 2008 and 2016. This needed to go up many orders of magnitude to contain any realistic predator population control. Fortunately, this is exactly what we have been seeing since the change in the United States Presidency and 2018 especially with the arrest worldwide of over 6,000 scammers year to date!
Just two years ago, there was no good news in sight. The scammers were going to continue to expand their numbers with ever greater success until two things happened. One is that the environment changes. The other is that the victims (or potential victims) change. However, what we saw was that the environment changed – scammers and victims remained the same, but a predator of predators was finally introduced into the ecosystem in the form of serious law enforcement worldwide!
The environment did take a while, and it took a change in the will of society to finally do something about these abuses. Many things are finally coming together to effect this. Greater controls on international money transfers. Vastly increased law enforcement globally – in China alone in June over 1,300 scammers were arrested. Larger and more coordinated data clearinghouses (SCARS is continuing to invest in theirs). De-anonymizing social media and all communications are essential to re-establishing authenticity. However, some of these are long-term changes that will take a decade at least.
One bright spot is the probability that aspects of the Internet and specifically social media are finally going to be regulated. The law that permitted it all – good and bad – the Communications Decency Act will also be revised imposing more liability on to the owners of platforms such a Facebook.
The tide has turned, but voters can easily undermine all of this work by voting for socialists that despise law enforcement and want everyone to be a victim (this is their real meaning – that each of us is alone and unable to protect ourselves – so their big government must do it for us). How your vote in 2018 in the U.S. elections will be the difference between continuing what has begun in the last two years, or turning around and going back to 100% growth in scamming per year! Yes, we need a bigger role by the government, but actually, we just need the environment re-leveled so that collectively we can control these online predators.
So What Does That Mean For Victims?
For Victims To Change, It Requires A Change In Their Online Attitudes More Than Anything
Far too many victims believe it is somebody else’s problem. Or that somebody else has to save them. Even after they become victims, the vast majority do nothing about it.
The Thing Is, You Have To Evolve And You Have To Help Those Around You Evolve Too!
If you do nothing before, during, and after, the scammers just get better and fatter. If you evolve to avoid them, and you actively help others do the same, then you deny “food” to the scammers and their numbers will reduce. Ironically, this is called Capitalism – supply and demand. You reduce the demand by reducing the supply of victims!
This Is Really Your Choice
Victims (and potential victims) can remain cattle for the scammers, or become aggressive, grow horns (tools and weapons), and become largely immune to the scammer’s techniques.
We and other victims advocate groups are doing all we can to help you learn and evolve, but this is totally up to you to take advantage of what is offered. You need to learn and change, and become an advocate for others yourself. Find other local victims, form a social group and meet face to face. Discus what you can do and how you can help, this is how it is done. Just clicking LIKE does nothing.
Become An Advocate
If You Really Want To Help There Are Things You Can Do Today!
SCARS offers through the United States Department of Homeland Security a full course on becoming a Crime Victims Advocate to help other victims at the local level. It is free for anyone interested, but you have to commit a dozen or so hours to take and complete the course. In addition, the National Organization for Victims’ Assistance offers a Certification for those that pass the DHS Course. This means you can connect with your local police department of offer help to any other victims they encounter. We are developing a directory for local advocates to help other victims through the process.
SCARS is also developing its SCARS Ambassador program for local SCARS Chapters. This will enable advocates to reach out to their local community to provide lectures and training to help people in your community to avoid scams or recover from them more effectively.
If you are interested in either of these contact SCARS at contact@AgainstRomanceScams.org and they will follow up as the programs roll out.
Become A Hunter Killer
This is not about becoming a vigilante, it is about saving lives!
Join us in reducing and disrupting scammer activities on Facebook and Instagram. We have a process that works. It is not about getting scammers arrested, it is about disrupting their communications with victims and potential victims. For every Fake profile that is removed, it can save a dozen victims. Join our Anti-Scam Army™ on Facebook and learn how to do it properly, join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/RSN.Army/
Most Important, Join SCARS
By becoming a SCARS Member (for free) you add your voice to the hundreds of thousands of other survivors who are SCARS Members when we go to governments around the world to demand action! Governments listen to SCARS now because of our members! Go to www.AgainstScams.org to join for free! Also, contact your employer about becoming a Corporate Member of SCARS as well and taking a stand against cybercrime and in the protection of their own employees!
We sincerely thank you for your continuing support!
Cynthia Reyes,
Compliance Director,
Society of Citizens Against Romance Scams [SCARS]
Don’t Be Sheepish With Scammers!
END
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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 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.
Visit our NEW Main SCARS™ News & Information 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
All original content is Copyright © 1991 – 2018 SCARS All Rights Reserved Worldwide & Webwide – RSN/Romance Scams Now & SCARS/Society of Citizens Against Romance Scams are all trademarks of Society of Citizens Against Romance Scams Inc.
Reporting Scammers, Arrest Scammers, AVOID SCAMS, ROMANCE SCAMS, NIGERIAN SCAMMERS, ROMANCE SCAMS NOW, GHANA SCAMMERS, FAKE PROFILES, FACEBOOK SCAMMERS, BOYCOTT AFRICAN COFFEE
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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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