SCARS Institute’s Encyclopedia of Scams™ Published Continuously for 25 Years
Many Have Asked “What Can We Do” After They Have Been Scammed
We actually have had thousands of scammers identified to their local governments. However, this is totally dependent on the country they operate from. So, it is a long hard road.
Actually, though, you have many options.
First, you should ALWAYS file local police reports for the individual scams – so you have it documented, if nothing else it is a tax deduction in the U.S.
If you live in the U.S. you should then file an Internet Crime Report – here is how to do it: reporting.AgainstScams.org Most Western Countries have similar agencies to take your information.
Be sure that each scammer has been reported here: reporting.AgainstScams.org This is so that other potential victims can learn and avoid that scammer.
You can also file a complaint directly with the Ghanaian or Nigerian Police (you could get lucky, but you are unlikely to get your money back).
However, there is another kind of action. File a lawsuit – do it in a local court against the government of the country in question (African Country). You will get a LOT of attention, and the cost is actually very low. Charge them will negligence and anything else that your attorney can think of. After all, it is their failure to enforce their own laws that led to your loss. And in civil court, the Defendant is presumed GUILTY until proven innocent (unlike criminal courts). Remember your goals: Shame the country of origin; shame and publicize the scammers; shame the dating website (do not name the website as a defendant in the suit – they have money and will fight back); use public opinion aggressively – contact the press. You might get a judgment and surprisingly, these countries have assets in the U.S. that you might seize. Your total cost for the suit could be a couple of thousand, but the upside is actually huge if you win.
Another important point is to name everybody that you know about. They have to use real names to receive the money from you. When filing your local and national criminal complaints, this will also help prevent them from ever visiting your country as tourists, and if they do, they can be prosecuted for fraud.
Remember, you may have been victimized, but you don’t have to remain a victim!
Fight back!
Resources:
- Sign up for SCARS professional support & recovery groups, visit support.AgainstScams.org
- Find competent trauma counselors or therapists, visit counseling.AgainstScams.org
- Become a SCARS Member and get free counseling benefits, visit membership.AgainstScams.org
- Report each and every crime, learn how to at reporting.AgainstScams.org
- Learn more about Scams & Scammers at RomanceScamsNOW.com and ScamsNOW.com
- Self-Help Books for Scam Victims are at shop.AgainsstScams.org
- Donate to SCARS and help us help others at donate.AgainstScams.org
More:
- Reporting Scammers – How To Tell Your Story To Your Local Police! (romancescamsnow.com)
- Why Reporting Scams Matters? (romancescamsnow.com)
- Can You File A Lawsuit Against Your Scammer & Money Mule? (romancescamsnow.com)
- Suing Your Money Mule or Scammer (romancescamsnow.com)
- REPORT SCAMS (romancescamsnow.com)
- Reporting Scams & Interacting With The Police – A Scam Victim’s Checklist [VIDEO] (romancescamsnow.com)
- Reporting Scams To The United States Secret Service – Cryptocurrency Recovery – Forget The FBI! [VIDEO] (romancescamsnow.com)
- Using The IC3.gov Reporting Platform – A SCARS Guide (romancescamsnow.com)
- What Does The FBI’s IC3.gov Actually Do? (romancescamsnow.com)
- Did The FBI on IC3.gov Ignore Your Crime Victims’ Rights? (romancescamsnow.com)
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ARTICLE META
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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