SCARS Institute’s Encyclopedia of Scams™ Published Continuously for 25 Years
Many Men Feel An Immediate Compulsion To Rescue Women In Need
This quickly opens the door for fake female romance scams.
What Is The White Knight Syndrome?
The “White Knight Syndrome” is also called “The Hero Syndrome.” Not to be confused with Savior Syndrome
White Knight Syndrome is a term used to describe someone who feels compelled to “rescue” people in intimate relationships, often at the expense of their own needs.
Although the term frequently refers to males who rush to save the perceived “damsels in distress,” anyone of any gender can technically suffer from White Knight Syndrome.
In fact, since women are socialized to be emotional caretakers in relationships, they can also demonstrate signs of White Knight Syndrome in their relationships, and this makes them subject to easy manipulation by scammers.
White Knights are the ones who dream about being the great hero, riding in on their charger [horse] (or motorcycle, muscle car, rocket, etc.) to save the damsel in distress. They are the ones who try to live by a self-imposed anachronistic code of chivalry and gallantry. They’re the ones attracted to the “distressed”, the depressed, needy or damaged women, convinced that they can “rescue” them from themselves.
This makes them predisposed towards being manipulated in both real life and in scams.
White Knight Commonalities
White Knights often have a history of loss, abandonment, trauma, or unrequited love. Many of them are emotionally sensitive and vulnerable; traits that cause them to be hurt easily by others and a perfect victim for romance scams.
Empathy, the ability to understand and identify with the feelings of another is a highly developed character trait of all White Knights. Yet the White Knight’s ability to put himself into another person’s shoes can be used against them in a scam.
How Does White Knight Syndrome Work?
Men with the White Knight Syndrome have a strong inclination to seek women who are or appear to be in need of help (usually the more help the better) and can easily be manipulated into providing that help without requesting anything in return.
With this penchant towards saving women comes a whole set of perceptions (many of them unconscious) that model the White Knight’s emotions and behavior.
The Archetypal White Knight:
- They see women as powerless and unable to defend or take care of themselves
- They see women’s problems as the result of misfortune or the cruelty of this world, never as their own fault. Women are never responsible for their troubles
- They consider it is men’s responsibility to help women solve their problems and sees doing so as a sign of nobility
- They think a woman will forever be grateful to a man who helps her. She will praise him, love him and give herself to him
- They see men in black and white: they are either good or bad, there is no middle ground, and the decisive factor is how they treat women
- The needs of others are treated as more important than their own
- They will persist in helping even when it has been made clear that their help is not needed
- They think they know best about what works and what doesn’t for others
- They want other people to need them and will go from one person to the next offering assistance in order to gain this sense of being needed
- When others ask for their assistance and they are unable to help they are overcome with guilt
- They exhaust themselves in taking care of other people’s needs
- They feel utterly rejected when their assistance is not welcome
The Typical White Knight Romance Scam
Typically men are contacted out of the blue by a pretty woman – usually, drop dead gorgeous. Of course, these are usually stolen photos of a porn star or model – since they offer the most alluring images and these women are selected for their visual appeal.
The fake female will quickly develop an emotional connection with the man and then initiate an emergency. This allows the White Knight to come forth!
Any scam victim who has gone through this will immediately recognize this chain of events and their own response to it.
Like all romance scam victims, the scammer uses this White Knight trait against the victim and exploits the syndrome. This can lead to significant financial loss for these victims.
However, once the scam ends, this is where the White Knight diverges from regular scam victims in the best approach for their recovery.
Recovery From A White Knight Related Romance Scam
In almost all romance scams the scammers use every trick in the book to trigger the initial Amygdala Hijack and then employ significant continuous manipulation to get what they want.
Most romance scams victims were vulnerable. Some had a marriage or relationship end. Some lost a loved one. It places them in a particularly difficult place once the scam is discovered and ends, but these can recover in time.
White Knights, on the other hand, need to recover from the scam and also address their deeper issues with being a White Knight.
In most cases, this is beyond the romance scam victims’ support that can be provided safely and effectively. In their cases, this will likely need the help of a professional counselor or therapist to help them unwind both the scam and White Knight Syndrome at the same time. We have observed that such men also have a great feeling of rage once they discover the scam that does not fade in time as would be normal for most victims.
Our Recommendation
It is for these reasons that we recommend counseling for most male victims
Fortunately, whether man or woman, in the United States we have governmental support to pay for counseling for victims of reported crimes. Counseling is also available in many other countries as well paid for by their national health system.
Additional Information For White Knights:
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Table of Contents
- Rescuing Damsels In Distress And Getting Scammed
- Many Men Feel An Immediate Compulsion To Rescue Women In Need
- What Is The White Knight Syndrome?
- White Knight Commonalities
- How Does White Knight Syndrome Work?
- The Archetypal White Knight:
- The Typical White Knight Romance Scam
- Recovery From A White Knight Related Romance Scam
- Our Recommendation
- Additional Information For White Knights:
Rapid Report Scammers
In the U.S. & Canada
U.S. & Canada Suicide Lifeline 988
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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
SCARS Institute articles examine different aspects of the scam victim experience, as well as those who may have been secondary victims. This work focuses on understanding victimization through the science of victimology, including common psychological and behavioral responses. The purpose is to help victims and survivors understand why these crimes occurred, reduce shame and self-blame, strengthen recovery programs and victim opportunities, and lower the risk of future victimization.
At times, these discussions may sound uncomfortable, overwhelming, or may be mistaken for blame. They are not. Scam victims are never blamed. Our goal is to explain the mechanisms of deception and the human responses that scammers exploit, and the processes that occur after the scam ends, so victims can better understand what happened to them and why it felt convincing at the time, and what the path looks like going forward.
Articles that address the psychology, neurology, physiology, and other characteristics of scams and the victim experience recognize that all people share cognitive and emotional traits that can be manipulated under the right conditions. These characteristics are not flaws. They are normal human functions that criminals deliberately exploit. Victims typically have little awareness of these mechanisms while a scam is unfolding and a very limited ability to control them. Awareness often comes only after the harm has occurred.
By explaining these processes, these articles help victims make sense of their experiences, understand common post-scam reactions, and identify ways to protect themselves moving forward. This knowledge supports recovery by replacing confusion and self-blame with clarity, context, and self-compassion.
Additional educational material on these topics is available at ScamPsychology.org – ScamsNOW.com and other SCARS Institute websites.
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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