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Author:
• Tim McGuinness, Ph.D., DFin, MCPO, MAnth – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
• We thank VeryWellMind.com for portions of this article.
Originally Published 2021
Article Abstract
The just-world phenomenon is the tendency to believe that the world is inherently fair, leading people to assume that individuals get what they deserve—both good and bad. This cognitive bias often results in victim-blaming, as people seek to rationalize misfortune by attributing it to the victim’s actions rather than acknowledging external factors, such as crime or bad luck. Victims themselves can internalize this bias, blaming themselves for their suffering. The phenomenon is fueled by the human desire to feel secure and in control, as people want to believe that avoiding certain behaviors will protect them from harm.
While this belief system offers some psychological comfort by minimizing anxiety and maintaining optimism, it also has harmful consequences, including a lack of empathy and dishonest behavior. Overcoming this bias requires self-awareness, questioning one’s assumptions, and resisting the instinct to blame victims. Crime victims, in turn, can counter blame by encouraging education and understanding rather than judgment. Recognizing that being scammed is not a reflection of personal failure is a critical step in healing and preventing further harm.
![Why People Blame Scam Victims? Stop Scam Victim Blaming - [UPDATED 2025] 1](-%20on%20the%20SCARS%20Institute%20RomanceScamsNOW.com%20-%20the%20Encyclopedia%20of%20Scams%E2%84%A2%22%20linktarget=%22_self%22%20hide_on_mobile=%22small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility%22%20sticky_display=%22normal,sticky%22%20align_medium=%22none%22%20align_small=%22none%22%20align=%22none%22%20hover_type=%22none%22%20magnify_duration=%22120%22%20scroll_height=%22100%22%20scroll_speed=%221%22%20caption_style=%22off%22%20caption_align_medium=%22none%22%20caption_align_small=%22none%22%20caption_align=%22none%22%20caption_title_tag=%222%22%20animation_direction=%22left%22%20animation_speed=%220.3%22%20animation_delay=%220%22%20filter_hue=%220%22%20filter_saturation=%22100%22%20filter_brightness=%22100%22%20filter_contrast=%22100%22%20filter_invert=%220%22%20filter_sepia=%220%22%20filter_opacity=%22100%22%20filter_blur=%220%22%20filter_hue_hover=%220%22%20filter_saturation_hover=%22100%22%20filter_brightness_hover=%22100%22%20filter_contrast_hover=%22100%22%20filter_invert_hover=%220%22%20filter_sepia_hover=%220%22%20filter_opacity_hover=%22100%22%20filter_blur_hover=%220%22%5Dhttps://romancescamsnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Scam-Victim-Recovery-banner-2024.png "Scam Victim Recovery banner 2024")
This Is Called The Just-World Phenonema
Why We Blame Scam Victims to Rationalize Why Bad Things Happen? Stop Scam Victim Blaming NOW!
According to VeryWellMind.com:
The just-world phenomenon is the tendency to believe that the world is just and that people get what they deserve.
Because people want to believe that the world is fair, they will look for ways to explain or rationalize away injustice, often blaming the person in a situation who is actually the victim.
The just-world phenomenon helps explain why people sometimes blame victims for their own misfortune, even in situations where people had no control over the events that have befallen them.
Strangely, this also helps to explain why crime victims often blame themselves – not the whole reason, but it does contribute.
Just-World Theory and Victim-Blaming
The just-world theory proposes that when people do fall victim to misfortune, others tend to look for things that might explain their circumstances. In other words, people have an automatic tendency to look for something or someone to blame for unfortunate events. But rather than simply attributing a bad turn of events to bad luck or the action of a criminal, people tend to look at the individual’s behavior as a source of blame. Victims tend to apply this same lens to themselves in the process.
Conversely, this belief also leads people to think that when good things happen to people it is because those individuals are good and deserving of their happy good fortune. Because of this, people who are extremely fortunate are often seen as more deserving of their good luck. In other words, they must be good people! Rather than attributing their success to luck or circumstance, greed or desire! People tend to ascribe their fortune to the intrinsic characteristics of the individual. These people are often seen as being more intelligent and hard-working than less fortunate people.
Ironically, this desire for recognition is also a big part of what drives the scammers themselves! They desire to be seen and recognized, and when they make enough money (by stealing it) others will see them a “good” people too!
Why Is This So?
So Why Does The Just-World Phenomenon Happen?
There are a few different explanations that have been proposed to explain it:
- The fear of facing vulnerability. [We talked about this in the Hindsight Bias] People do not like to think about themselves being the victims of a crime. So when they hear about an event such as a romance scam or other crime, they may try to assign blame for the event on the victim’s behavior. This allows people to believe they can avoid being victims of crime just by avoiding past victims’ behaviors. Ironically, there is a kernel of truth in this, since scams happen because of high-risk behaviors coupled with ignorance – it is not that the victims are to blame, but the lack of preparation and knowledge enabled the crime.
- A desire to minimize anxiety. Another possible explanation for the Just-World Phenomena is that people want to reduce the anxiety that is caused by the world’s injustices. Believing that the individual is completely responsible for their misfortune, people are able to go on believing that the world is fair and just. Of course, we know that it is not.
Benefits From This?
The belief or bias does have some benefits. Like other types of cognitive bias, this phenomenon protects self-esteem, helps control fear, and allows people to remain optimistic about the world.
Obviously, this belief system also has some major downsides!
By blaming victims, people fail to see how the situation and other variables contributed to another person’s (or their own) misfortunes. Additionally, research published in 2017 has shown a link between belief in the just-world theory and dishonest behavior. Instead of expressing empathy, the just-world phenomenon sometimes causes people to be disinterested or even scorn victims.
What Is The Answer?
Very simply it is to take an inventory of your own cognitive biases by learning what they are and examining your own beliefs to see if you harbor them.
When you hear about or talk to a crime victim and you begin to feel that blame rising, damp it down. The more you take control over your own biases the more you reduce their power over you.
For victims themselves, learn about how these belief-systems work in your own mind. The more you learn the more you take their power away. But begin simply by recognizing that you are not to blame.
How Do You Stop Someone From Blaming You For Your Scam?
You say this to them:
“I realize that this may be something you do not understand, and if I can be scammed it means you can also. Feeling vulnerable and powerless is frightening. But instead of judging, it is better that we learn together how we can all be safe in the world around us. Blaming victims may make you feel better but it does nothing to really help. Please try to remember this!”
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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 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
SCARS Resources:
- Getting Started Right: ScamVictimsSupport.org
- Sign up For Free Scam Victim Support & Recovery Program support.AgainstScams.org
- Sextortion Scam Victims: Sextortion Victims Support – The Essentials (scamvictimssupport.org)
- For New Victims of Relationship Scams newvictim.AgainstScams.org
- For Scam Victim Supporters & Advocates ScamVictimsAdvocates.org
- Subscribe to SCARS Newsletter newsletter.againstscams.org
- 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
- Scammer photos ScammerPhotos.com
- SCARS Videos youtube.AgainstScams.org
- Self-Help Books for Scam Victims are at shop.AgainstScams.org
- Worldwide Crisis Hotlines: https://blog.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines/
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.
If you are in crisis, feeling desperate, or in despair please call 988 or your local crisis hotline.
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Stop blaming ourselves !
Let’s not confirm others in their belief that the world is fair and we got what we deserved.
And let’s not be silent when others blame us.Thanks to education we know who is to blame – let’s share this knowledge .
I understand the concept of a “Just World”. Basically, it’s whatever people want to think they will. For many, it is simply too scary to even conceptualize that there is inherent evil in this world that can either directly or indirectly affect their lives. For others it is hysterically funny that some people are “kicked in the teeth” by life with every bad situation happening to them and others walk through with money thrown at them, the new cars and the expensive trips. Meanwhile they are terrified that the ones who experience everything bad in life will rub off on them. Or that the ones experiencing bad times somehow deserve it! I have found that most often the ones who walk through life with the everything good attitude believe that it is because of their faith. And the ones who experience trouble have a decided lack of faith otherwise why would this be happening to them? I found it most interesting that scammers have a direct interest in the Just World phenomenon! Incredible! It is still sometimes so incredible a concept as to think of them as only business people, punching a time clock, sitting at a desk and earning money. And that they are seeking recognition this way.
I find comfort in knowing that what ever happens good or bad, I will be able to rise above the challenges and be better informed and better prepared for life’s ups and downs.
After my 2nd reading of the article I am still impressed with how SCARS really understands the scam experience.
This is another great article that really makes you think. I’m sure most of us have been on both sides of this argument, but the world is not just black & white. You never know what kind of struggles someone has been forced to endure.