SCARS Institute’s Encyclopedia of Scams™ Published Continuously for 25 Years
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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.
![WHY ARE YOU HERE? [OBSOLETED] 20](https://scamsnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/niprc1.png1_-150x1501-11.webp)
yes, am on this site because of i really need help. I need more answers for me. How could I loved so much someone a man I never saw, from him, i only see a picture on facebook. Of course, we change a lot of o emails. the time passed and he still is an obsession probably because to fraudsters contact me, saying that I am behind his and I have an online banking to take his money, this completely fake. this contact must be made for US Army, not from his ancient friends
But with this, my depression get worst and worst and even if the money existed I refuse to accept, first, our relationship has the end of another summer to finish “DR.Richard Perkins” or Sargent Justin Olsen I don’t for sure. one thing I know Sargent Justin Olsen always want his account closed.
But before James Bob i “helped with my father help an English guy who wants to get out from Nigeria, I pay is the flight to Londo but he never catches them so I told him to form no more money. what I gave to him it’s more than enough the solution now is to catch a boat an work on it until to get to London.
After James Bob cames James Patch with so many names and photos even him forgot his names!
and of course a lot of them “tried to send money family treasures to Portugal
but revenge is not in my plans
Ovdje sam jer učim kako dalje nakon što sam bila prevarena.Nije lako priznati samom sebi da si prevaren.Svi članci koje sam našla na ovim stranicama daju mi smjernice kako dalje živjeti.O prevarama nisam znala gotovo ništa.Novac je prolazna stvar,dođe i ode,a ono što naučiš nemože ti nitko uzeti,!Ja sam uz vas naučila mnogo,i koliko mogu pomognem drugima da ne dođu u situaciju kao ja.Hvala vam za svaku riječ koju napišete,da lakše prebrodimo naše stanje.
I can tell you about the importance of healing after being a scam victim. This week at my job training there are 3 men training with me. One from Ghana and 2 from Nigeria. If I didn’t have an open heart and an acceptance mind I wouldn’t have understood these men frustration and disappointment on what’s going on in Africa. Believe it or not they spoke about these same scammers in Africa and basically mentioned the same things that I learnt from your. I held something against Africa after I got scammed and didn’t want these people in my world nor in my country. Thank God I can finally let it go. These men was very nice and hard working. Forgiveness is a beautiful thing.. .everyone is not the same.
Eu uso o site para me informar sobre possíveis Scamers,através das listas de nomes e fotos para evitar de cair em golpes,como no ano passado,que quase que fui enganada.Tem sido muito útil para mim e outras mulheres,que estão a procura de alguém para um relacionamento.
I am here not only to help in any way that I can, but also for support because I was a victim of a scammer and it cost me a lot of money that I really didn’t have to pay the people back that this creep scammed and I was right in the middle of it because it was my PayPal account that he had the people send the money to, not only was it out the money that I had to pay back but I also lost my PayPal account forever and since I have made myself aware of how these people work I really ask tons of questions when I get an email or text from someone I don’t know and when they start saying that they don’t have access to their account or ask me for my banking information I stop them dead in their track’s or if how they talk or spell and are not willing to get on camera than I know exactly who and what they are, or if they say that they love you after only talking for not even a full day and most of the one’s that I deal with say that they are in the military, sorry that this was so long but I not only could use the support but I also want other people to see what I have dealt with and hopefully take something away from what I have said and apply it to whatever they are dealing with. Thank you for allowing me to get this out in the open
You are very welcome! We wish you all the best. Contact us if we can help!
That’s one of a scammer’s top question for you. ” why are you here”?
Hmmm. True! They want to get in your head. We want you to get inside your own head!
I been scam before. They still people out there still trying to scam me for money