SCARS Institute’s Encyclopedia of Scams™ Published Continuously for 25 Years
Here Is The Typical Scenario …
Some guy or gal goes onto an online dating website, and creates a profile …
They are hopeful and want the process to succeed. They want to find a great person, and be able to make a new friend, and perhaps even more.
Sounds great right?
But what happens next …
Depending upon the website, there can be anywhere from 10% to 95% of the profiles are operated by African or Asian Dating Scammers (according to our testing). As a new member, you are shown in a list of new members, and these are the ones the scammers target most. They know you are not yet experienced in their ways and are most vulnerable.
The rest of this is, you will meet someone who cares for you, and may ever sound wonderful. But it is all a scam.
When you discover this, you will be feeling not particularly happy about the whole experience. Depending upon how far down the rabbit hole you went, you could be heart-broken, or at the very least very angry. Partly angry at yourself for being stupid to believe them, and if you sent them money as they always want, even angrier for doing that.
Scammers cause feelings of shame, self-hatred and loathing, rejection, and even worse – the sense that there is no one for you.
The loneliness that comes from being a victim of dating and romance scams can be profound.
One U.K. study found that being a victim of online romance scams increases the probability of suicide by a factor of 5.
The staggering statistic is just this, EVERYONE that uses online dating has connected with a scammer. They may not have gotten far with them, but they did meet them.
In no other business in the world is there that kind of average for crime!
100%
Just imagine what New York City would be like if EVERY PERSON that walked down EVERY STREET met a mugger? Maybe you were smart enough to avoid them, but they were there regardless. Can you just imagine the outcry?
This is what is happening in online dating today!
What is worse, the dating site operators and owners know this. Some do very little about it, because what they care about is marketing their site to you, and for that they need large numbers of profiles to lure you into to thinking that theirs will be the place you will find love!
However, the courts have held that their terms and conditions protect them from any responsibility. The fact is that they are PIMPS and DRUG DEALERS serving you up in such away that you will be forever changed by the experience.
Does that mean that you give up?
NO!
It just means that while you wait to find that special person, you go hunting. You do what YOU CAN DO to make the world a better place and expose scammers when you find them. Trying, all the while, not to lose your soul and give up.
How do you start?
It starts with Reporting Them All. It seems like an uphill battle, and it is, but it helps keep others safe! Find our Report Scammers Feature in the Top Menu above.
Connect with others who are dealing with this too! Just enter your name below and we will invite you into our Safe Scammers Victims Group on Facebook.
Also
Visit our Main Facebook Page also: https://www.facebook.com/Romance-Scams-Now-534354516651756/
Try not to be overwhelmed. Expose one scammer at a time, and keep your head up, because you are smarter than they are, and you can hit them back where it counts.
Dating Is War! Be Strong!
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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.
What if they are not scammer an you report an turns out they real loving real person
You are living in a fantasy. That’s how people become victims.