Search results for: Tim McGuinness

Importance of Learning in Scam Victims’ Recovery from Scams 2024

The Importance of Learning in Scam Victims' Recovery from Scams Overcoming the Scam Through Understanding Scam Victim Recovery - A SCARS Insight Author: • Tim McGuinness, Ph.D., DFin, MCPO, MAnth - Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. Article Abstract The article underscores the imperative of comprehending scams for scam victims. Understanding the diverse forms of scams, from email phishing to relationship [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2024-01-30T21:25:27-05:00January 24th, 2024|Categories: ♦ SCAM VICTIM RECOVERY, 2024, For New Victims, Insights, Recovery Psychology, Scam Victim Recovery|Tags: Learning, scam victims, Support & Recovery Program, Victim Recovery|

All The Fake Videos That Scam Victims Cannot See! 2024

All The Fake Videos That Scam Victims Cannot See! Understanding The Need To See Fake Videos As Real! How Scams Work - A SCARS Insight Authored By: Tim McGuinness, Ph.D., DFin, MCPO, MAnth – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. Article Abstract Scam victims, often lacking technical skills, succumb to scammers who exploit advanced technology to create convincing fake videos. [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2024-01-19T11:37:47-05:00January 19th, 2024|Categories: ♦ HOW SCAMS WORK, 2024, Editorial & Commentary, Impersonation & Identity Theft Scams, Romance Scams & Relationship Scams, ♦ PSYCHOLOGY OF SCAMS, ♦ SCAM BASICS|Tags: Deceptive Videos, DeepFake Videos, Fake Videos, Generative AI, Psychology of Scams, scam victims|

Sense of Failure And Scam Victims – 2024

Sense of Failure And Scam Victims Understanding A Scam Victim's Reactions To Scams Recovery Psychology - A SCARS Insight Authors: • Vianey Gonzalez B.Sc(Psych) – Psychologist, Certified Deception Professional, Psychology Advisory Panel & Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc., Mexico • Tim McGuinness, Ph.D., DFin, MCPO, MAnth – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc., USA Article [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2024-01-11T10:41:49-05:00January 11th, 2024|Categories: ♦ SCAM VICTIM RECOVERY, 2024, For New Victims, Impact of Scams on Victims, Insights, Recovery Psychology, Scam Victim Recovery|Tags: failure, Financial Fraud, Guilt, scam victims, Scams, Shame|

Understanding the Victim Complex/Victim Mentality In Relationship Scam Victims – Psychology Of Scams

Understanding the Victim Complex/Victim Mentality In Relationship Scam Victims - Psychology Of Scams

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2023-10-14T03:18:17-04:00October 14th, 2023|Categories: ♦ SCAM VICTIM RECOVERY, 2018, 2023, Impact of Scams on Victims, Insights, Psychology of Scams, Recovery Psychology, Scam Victim Recovery, Syndromes & Delusions, ♦ PSYCHOLOGY OF SCAMS|Tags: martyr complex, Psychology of Scams, scam victims, victim complex, Victim Mentality, Victim Syndrome|

Local Law Enforcement/Police Scam Victims’ Experience Study 2022-2024

Local Law Enforcement/Police Experience Study A SCARS Research Study Advocating for Scam Victims 2023 SCARS Scam Victim Local Police Reporting Experience Study SCARS (Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams) is spearheading an important study aimed at improving the understanding of the scam victim experience during the local police reporting process of relationship scams. With a significant number of victims expressing negative encounters when attempting to report these [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2024-01-26T00:08:23-05:00June 10th, 2023|Categories: ♦ SCARS ADVOCACY, 2022, 2023, 2024, Law Enforcement Support, SCARS Analysis & Research, SCARS Research, Victimology|Tags: Local Law Enforcement, Local Police, Police Reporting, Reporting Crimes, SCARS Study, Study, Survey, Understanding Scam Victims, Victim Experience|

Scam Victims Must Always Tell The Truth When Talking With Law Enforcement

Scam Victims Must Always Tell The Truth When Talking With Law Enforcement Law Enforcement Has Changed Their Attitude Toward Scam Victims - So Always Be Truthful Reporting Scams & Scammers - A SCARS Special Report We Have Seen Recently That Law Enforcement Can Be Very Supportive Of Scam Victims! But Not When They Lie Or Hide Information! We know that reporting these crimes can be very hard. Scam Victims feel [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2023-02-21T14:41:09-05:00February 21st, 2023|Categories: ♦ GOVERNMENT POLICY LAWS & REGULATION, 2023, How To Report Scams & Scammers, SCARS Official Videos, Special Reports, YouTube Video, ♦ LAW ENFORCEMENT - JUSTICE - INVESTIGATION, ♦ SCAM VICTIM RECOVERY|Tags: Scam Reporting, scam victims, Victim Consequences|

Scam Victim Homelessness

Scam Victim Homelessness Understanding The Financial Impact On Scam Victims Cyber-Enabled Financial Fraud Victimology - A SCARS Insight Has Financial Fraud Become a Major Driver of Homelessness with Scam Victims? ♦ A SCARS Commentary by Dr. Tim McGuinness We all know that addiction, job loss, and mental health issues ranked as the top three responses from experts on homelessness up to 2019. However, something new is being seen across the [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2023-01-15T11:52:03-05:00January 15th, 2023|Categories: Insights, 2023, Victim Financial Recovery, Victimology, VICTIMS & MONEY|Tags: Financial Resources, Financial Support, Financial Survival, Homeless, Homelessness, scam victims, Victimology|

What Every Scam Victim Needs To Understand

What Every Scam Victim Needs To Understand The Basics For New Victims Scam Victim Recovery - A SCARS Insight 25 Things Every Scam Victim Needs To Understand 💔❤️‍🩹❤️ What is important for every scam victim to understand at the very beginning after the scam ends? You are not to blame, it was not your fault - period, no equivocations - there is no shame in being the victim of a [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2023-01-10T00:50:05-05:00January 9th, 2023|Categories: ♦ SCAM VICTIM RECOVERY, 2023, Insights, Recovery Psychology, Scam Victim Recovery|Tags: Recovery Psychology, Scam Victim, SCARS Steps, Understanding, Victim Recovery|

Victims: Common Reactions To Crime

Victims: Common Reactions To Crime How To Help Victims' Assistance Providers & Supporters In Understanding Their Reactions Extracted From The SCARS Mentor Training Program A Crime Victim's Common Reactions to Crime It is useful to know the common reactions that victims may experience when trying to cope with the crime Special thanks to the government of Canada for source material used in this guide. Principal Editor: Dr. Tim McGuinness, Director, [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2022-12-11T12:00:33-05:00December 11th, 2022|Categories: ♦ SCAM VICTIM RECOVERY, 2022, Impact of Scams on Victims, Scam Victims' Assistance & Support, ♦ FOR FAMILY & FRIENDS|Tags: Common Reactions To Crime, Crime Victims, scam victims, Victim Emotions, Victim Recovery, Victim Support, Victims Assistance, Victims of Financial Fraud|

Scam Victim Identity Crisis

Scam Victim Identity Crisis The Crisis That Comes After The Scam Ends! Victim Recovery Psychology - A SCARS Insight What’s An Identity Crisis And Could You Be Having One? In Additional to Everything Else, Who You are has Changed Because of the Scam A Scam Victim's Dilemma As you participate in a relationship scam, whether a regular romance scam or a "Pig Butchering" crypto investment scam, your whole persona is [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2022-11-14T15:38:24-05:00November 14th, 2022|Categories: ♦ SCAM VICTIM RECOVERY, 2022, Impact of Scams on Victims, Insights, Recovery Psychology, Scam Victim Recovery|Tags: After The Scam, Emotional Distress, Identity Crisis, TRAUMA, Victim Recovery|

Ambiguous Loss and Scam Victims – Scam Victim Recovery – 2022 [UPDATED 2024]

Ambiguous Loss and Scam Victims A Type Of Trauma Common To Victims Of Financial Fraud Scam Victim Recovery - A SCARS Insight Author: • Tim McGuinness, Ph.D., DFin, MCPO, MAnth - Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. Originally Published: 2022 - Article Updated: 2024 A Type Of Trauma Where Closure Is Not Possible Ambiguous loss is a loss that occurs [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2024-10-14T00:04:15-04:00September 26th, 2022|Categories: ♦ SCAM VICTIM RECOVERY, 2022, 2024, Impact of Scams on Victims, Insights, Recovery Psychology|Tags: Ambiguous Loss, Closure, Grief, scam victims, TRAUMA, Victim Psychology, Victim Recovery|

Scam Victim Panic Attacks

Scam Victim Panic Attacks Helping Scam Victims Through Their Recovery Recovery Psychology - A SCARS Insight How Scam Victims Can Deal With Fear And Panic Attacks This article is addressed to new victims mostly. New victims, in the first couple of months after the scam ends, can be very fearful for their safety, sometimes the safety of family members, and especially about their future. Of course, most scam victims have [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2022-09-03T22:22:46-04:00September 3rd, 2022|Categories: Victim Fear & Phobias, 2022, Impact of Scams on Victims, Insights, Recovery Psychology, ♦ SCAM VICTIM RECOVERY|Tags: FEAR, Panic Attacks, Panic Disorder, Scam Victim, scam victims|

Three Main Causes Of Anger In Scam Victims – 2022 [Updated 2025]

Three Main Causes Of Anger In Scam Victims Scam Victim Recovery - A SCARS Insight Authors: • Vianey Gonzalez B.Sc(Psych) – Psychologist, Certified Deception Professional, Psychology Advisory Panel & Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. • Tim McGuinness, Ph.D., DFin, MCPO, MAnth - Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. Article Abstract As a scam victim, you might [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2025-05-02T02:38:09-04:00July 10th, 2022|Categories: ♦ PSYCHOLOGY OF SCAMS, 2022, 2025, Anger & Aggression, For New Victims, Impact of Scams on Victims, Insights, Psychology of Scams, Recovery Psychology, Scam Victim Recovery, ♦ NEW SCAM VICTIMS, ♦ SCAM VICTIM RECOVERY|Tags: Anger, Emotions, Guilt, Recovery, Recovery Psychology, Victim Recovery|

Terminology For Scam Victims – Scam Related Terms – Part 1

Terminology For Scam Victims Scam Related Terms An Etymology Part 1 Derogatory & Related Scam Terms Used To Describe Victims A SCARS Insight SCAM RELATED TERMS THE WORDS WE USE DEFINE WHAT WE THINK ABOUT SCAMS AND ABOUT OURSELVES "In order to change the way outsiders view victims it starts with the way victims name and blame themselves." - Dr. Tim McGuinness, SCARS Director "Remember ... Talk about yourself the [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2022-03-25T04:46:45-04:00March 13th, 2022|Categories: Scam Victim Recovery|Tags: Calling Victims Names, Changing You Mind, Definitions, Derogatory Terms, Mindset, Motivation, Scam Related Terms, Scam Terms, Victim Recovery|

2022 National Crime Victims’ Service Award Nominee

2022 National Crime Victims’ Service Award Nominee SCARS Again Recognized by the United States Government for Outstanding Service to Crime Victims A SCARS Announcement SCARS ANNOUNCEMENT We want to thank all of those that helped to nominate us. It is a great honor to be recognized again by the United States Department of Justice for the work that we do. While we were not this year's winner, we thank all [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2022-03-02T12:27:07-05:00March 2nd, 2022|Categories: ♦ ABOUT ADVOCACY & ACTIVISM, 2022, SCARS News & Announcements|Tags: Crime Prevention, Crime Victims' Assistance, DoJ, SCARS, Service Awards|

The SCARS Interview With Kevin Snook – Impersonation Victim! [VIDEO]

Kevin Snook Impersonation Victim Used in Romance Scams [VIDEO] An Exclusive SCARS Interview Presented by SCARS An Interview With Kevin Snook! Kevin Snook is a global businessman who has had his identity and his photos stolen and used by romance scammers & fraudsters worldwide - especially in West Africa. Of course, you have probably seen his photos thousands of times on social media and dating websites. He is a scammer's [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2021-10-19T03:09:05-04:00October 19th, 2021|Categories: Impersonation Victim Speaks Out, 2021, Impersonation Victim Galleries, Victim Interview VIDEO|Tags: Impersonation Victim, Kevin Snook, Photos Stolen By Scammers, Use in Romance Scams, Used by Fraudsters, Used by Scammers|

Living Under Manipulation for Too Long Leaves Victims Traumatized – 2021 [UPDATED 2024]

Living under Manipulation for Too Long Leaves Victims Traumatized An Exploration of the Short-Term & Long-Term Effects of Long-Term Relationship Scams Psychology of Scams - A SCARS Insight Author: • Tim McGuinness, Ph.D., DFin, MCPO, MAnth - Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. Originally Published: 2021 - Article Updated: 2024 Article Abstract Long-term exposure to romance scam manipulation can leave victims [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2024-10-14T00:33:26-04:00September 10th, 2021|Categories: ♦ PSYCHOLOGY OF SCAMS, 2021, 2024, Impact of Scams on Victims, Insights, Psychology of Scams, Recovery Psychology, Victim Trauma & PTSD, ♦ SCAM VICTIM RECOVERY|Tags: Long Term Scam Victims, Long Term Scams, Manipulated Victims, Psychology of Scams, Romance Scam Victims, Scam Manipulation, Victim Psychology, Victim Support|

Resilience Coping Recovery And Romance Scam Victims [UPDATED 2024]

Resilience, Coping, Recovery, And Romance Scam Victims 'Resilience' in Scam Victims is the Capacity to Cope and Recover Quickly from Difficulties; a Mental Toughness Helping Scam Victims/Survivors to Understand the Importance of Resiliency in Their Recovery Scam Victim Recovery Psychology - A SCARS Institute Insight Author: • Tim McGuinness, Ph.D., DFin, MCPO, MAnth - Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. Originally Published: 2021 - [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2024-10-04T23:28:54-04:00August 22nd, 2021|Categories: ♦ SCAM VICTIM RECOVERY, 2021, 2024, Impact of Scams on Victims, Insights, Recovery Psychology, Scam Victim Recovery, ♦ PSYCHOLOGY OF SCAMS|Tags: Cope, Coping, Psychology of Scams, Resilience, Romance Scam Victims, Scam Victim Recovery|

Long Term Fear & Phobias From Scam Victim Trauma 2021 [UPDATED 2024]

Long-Term Fear & Phobias For Scam Victim Trauma Many Scam Victims Experience Ever-Present Fears And Phobias Following Their Scams! The Psychology of Scams - A SCARS insight Author: • Tim McGuinness, Ph.D., DFin, MCPO, MAnth - Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. Originally Published: 2021 - Article Updated: 2024 Article Abstract After experiencing a scam, many victims develop long-term fears and [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2024-10-14T00:17:23-04:00July 18th, 2021|Categories: ♦ PSYCHOLOGY OF SCAMS, 2021, 2024, Impact of Scams on Victims, Insights, Other Videos, Recovery Psychology, Scam Victim Recovery, Victim Fear & Phobias, YouTube Video, ♦ NEW SCAM VICTIMS, ♦ SCAM VICTIM RECOVERY|Tags: Emotional Trauma, Long Term Fear, Scam Victim Trauma, Victim Fea, Victim Phobias|

An Urgent Call For Action To Save Victims’ Services – #VOCAfix – Act On July 14th – Part 2 [UPDATED – SUCCESS]

UPDATE - - SUCCESS - - WE WON! The VOCAfix Campaign Was Successful! The VOCAfix legislation passed the United States Senate on 7/20 and then on to the White House for the President's signature and enactment! On July 20, with an extraordinary vote of 100 to 0, the U.S. Senate passed H.R. 1652, the VOCA Fix to Sustain the Crime Victims Fund Act of 2021 (“VOCA Fix”). The Alliance of the 1,700 Nonprofits that joined together [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2022-03-24T21:41:58-04:00July 10th, 2021|Categories: ♦ ABOUT ADVOCACY & ACTIVISM|Tags: #VOCAfix, Passed, SCARS Activism Campaign, SCARS Crime Victims' Assistance, Success, U.S. Senate, Urgent Action, Victims Of Crime Act, VOCA|

Impersonation Victim Robert Hyde Speaks Out [VIDEO]

Impersonation Victim Robert Hyde Speaks Out [VIDEO] Exclusive Interview With SCARS Directors Debby Montgomery Johnson & Dr. Tim McGuinness A SCARS Official Video • See More SCARS Videos Here • See More SCARS Videos on YouTube TAGS: SCARS, Information About Scams, Anti-Scam, Scams, Scammers, Fraudsters, Cybercrime, Crybercriminals, Romance Scams, Scam Victims, Online Fraud, Online Crime Is Real Crime, Scam Avoidance, Victim Recovery, [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2021-09-28T15:03:43-04:00May 24th, 2021|Categories: Impersonation Victims, Romance Scams & Relationship Scams, U.S. Military & Scams, VIDEOS|Tags: Debby Montgomery Johnson, Dr. Tim McGuinness, Impersonation Victim, Robert Hyde Speaks Out, Romance Scams, Victim Speaks Out|

SCARS Commentary – April 13, 2021 – It’s Time To Remind Congress Who They Work For!

It's Time To Remind Congress Who They Work For! Things Were Getting So Much Better, But Now They Are Getting Worse Fast! A SCARS COMMENTARY The United States is now number ONE in the complete INSECURITY of our financial system. While Congress spent the last four years on witch hunts the U.S. congress gave nearly no focus on how bad the situation was becoming. The ruling party seems only interested [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2022-08-17T04:11:20-04:00April 14th, 2021|Categories: SCARS Editorials & Commentaries, 2021|Tags: Accountability, Communications Decency Act, Political Will, SCARS Commentary, Section 230, U.S. Congress|

A Scam Victims 7 Deadly Sins [UPDATED]

A Scam Victims 7 Deadly Sins After A Scam, Bad Decision Making By Scam Victims Continues And Leads Many Victims In Directions That May Feel Satisfying But Delays Or Avoids Recovery Originally Published April 2019 To Help Scam Victims Understand The Mistakes That Can Derail Or Prevent Their Emotional Recovery! When Scam Victims Turn To The Dark Side The Same Problems That Led Scam Victims To Be Scammed Are Still [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2023-06-08T03:59:33-04:00January 21st, 2021|Categories: ♦ SCAM VICTIM RECOVERY, 2021, Anger & Aggression, Anti-Scam Hate Groups, Avoid Haters & Trolls, Misinformation About Scams, Romance Scams & Relationship Scams, Scam Baiting, Scam Victim Recovery, Special Reports, ♦ SCAMSNOW MAGAZINE|Tags: baiting scammers, Cyberstalking, Haters, Messiahs, Messiahs & Saviors, Mole, Mule, Scam Baiters, scam victims, Scambaiters, Scams, SCARS, Stalkers, Trackers, Trolls, Victim Panic|

Impersonation Victim Speaks Out: Pierre Bonilla, Marine Corps Vet [VIDEO]

Impersonation Victim Speaks Out: Pierre Bonilla, Marine Corps Vet [VIDEO] December 11, 2020: SCARS Directors Debby Montgomery Johnson & Dr. Tim McGuinness interview Pierre Bonilla. He has been an impersonation victim. Scammers regularly steal his photos and use them to scam women. In this interview with Pierre Bonilla talks about the theft of his identity and his experiences being contacted by hundreds of scam victims, and its impact on himself and his family. [...]

Clothes As Therapy For Scam Victims: When & How Does Enclothed Cognition Work?

Clothes As Therapy For Scam Victims: When & How Does "Enclothed Cognition" Work? You have all heard the phrase “Clothing Makes The Man” (or Woman) As trauma victims, finding ways to overcome your trauma and regain control in your life is very important and powerful. We talk a lot about trying to let go of the anger and the artifacts of the experience, but we humans tend to surround ourselves with other less obvious artifacts [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2020-09-04T11:21:30-04:00September 3rd, 2020|Categories: Insights, Closure & Recovery Techniques, Recovery Psychology|Tags: : Enclothed Cognition, Anti-Scam, Clothes As Therapy, Crybercriminals, cybercrime, For Scam Victims, Fraudsters, Important Article, Information About Scams, Romance Scams, scam victims, scammers, Scams, SCARS|

SCARS™ Special Report: A Victim’s Story Of Imprisonment By A Scammer In Nigeria

SCARS™ Special Report: A Victim's Story Of Imprisonment By A Scammer In Nigeria The ‘Yahoo Boy’ Who Kidnapped & Held Prisoner An American Woman In Lagos For Over 1 Year After Luring Her To Nigeria The police said the American was confined against her wish in a hotel in Lagos by one Chukwuebuka Obiaku, a suspected fraudster that “extorted her of about $48,000”. Nigerian Police officers have rescued a citizen of the United States of America [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2022-04-05T09:32:25-04:00July 13th, 2020|Categories: ♠ ARCHIVES & LEGACY CONTENT ♠|Tags: Chukwuebuka Kasi Obiaku, Crybercriminals, cybercrime, Fraudsters, Held Hostage, Imprisonment, Kidnapping, Nigerian Scammer, Romance Scams, scam victims, scammers, Scammers Arrested, Scams, SCARS, Trapped In Nigeria, YAHOO BOYS|

Humor As A Tool In Scam Victim Recovery – Recovery Psychology – UPDATED 2024

Humor As A Tool In Scam Victim Recovery Scam Victim Recovery Psychology A SCARS Insight Authors: • Vianey Gonzalez B.Sc(Psych) – Psychologist, Certified Deception Professional, Psychology Advisory Panel & Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. • Tim McGuinness, Ph.D., DFin, MCPO, MAnth – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. Originally Published: 2019 – Article Updated: 2024 [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2024-02-20T05:21:17-05:00July 21st, 2019|Categories: ♦ SCAM VICTIM RECOVERY, 2019, 2024, Insights, Recovery Psychology, Scam Victim Recovery|Tags: Anti-Scam Humor, Black Humor, Gallows Humor, Humor As A Tool, Making Fun Of Scammers, Recovery Humor, scam victims, Victim Recovery|

New Book From Best Selling Author Elina Juusola – Love on the Line:: How to Recover from Romance Scams Gracefully and Without Victimisation – SCARS™ Recovery

SCARS™ Recovery: New Book From Best Selling Author Elina Juusola - Love on the Line:: How to Recover from Romance Scams Gracefully and Without Victimisation A New Work from Elina Juusola, Bestselling Author and SCARS Board Member [lwptoc] Overview How can you become a victim of a romance scam and recover from the experience without harm? Elina Juusola, researcher and a feminist was living a low time of her life. She was struggling with her health and [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2022-03-24T20:11:08-04:00April 17th, 2019|Categories: Scam Victim's Stories|Tags: Author, Elina Juusola, Love on the Line, Recovery, Romance Scams, SCARS Recommended Book, Survival Guide|

SCARS™ A 27 Year History Of Service To Scam Victims

SCARS™ A 27 Year History Of Service To Scam Victims Our founder Dr. Tim McGuinness first started tracking scams and scammers in 1991 on the old America Online before the web came into existence for all. Over the years this activity migrated from AOL onto TigerDirect.com (our founder was a co-founder of TigerDirect's parent in those days), then onto another major website that he published, and then onto a stand-alone dedicated website. Over the years we [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2018-12-20T10:21:17-05:00December 20th, 2018|Categories: Editorial & Commentary, History of Scams, Scam Victims' Assistance & Support|Tags: America Online, AOL, History of Scams, Romance Scams, Romance Scams Now, RSN History, Scam History, SCARS, Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams, TigerDirect|

The Amygdala Hijack And Scam Victims [Infographic] – Expanded 2024

The Amygdala Hijack And Scam Victims Understanding Automated Responses To Grooming Manipulation And Control During A Relationship Scam A SCARS Guide & Infographic The amygdala is a collection of cells near the base of the brain. There are two, one in each hemisphere or side of the brain. This is where emotions are given meaning, remembered, and attached to associations and responses to them (emotional memories). Learn more about this on ScamPsychology.org [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2024-05-22T03:44:34-04:00October 23rd, 2018|Categories: ♦ PSYCHOLOGY OF SCAMS, 2018, 2024, Grooming & Manipulation, Guides, Impact of Scams on Victims, Psychology of Scams, Recovery Psychology, Romance Scams & Relationship Scams, Scam Victim Recovery, YouTube Video, ♦ SCAM VICTIM RECOVERY|Tags: Amigdala, Amygdala Hijack, Gaslighting, Love Bombing, Physical Effects of Romance Scams, Psychology of Scams, Recovery Psychology, Scam Psychology|

SCARS Announcement: Completion Of New Zealand Victim Study

SCARS Announcement: Completion Of New Zealand Victim Study SCARS Is Very Pleased To Have Assisted In The Continuing Research Into The Psychological Effects Of Online Fraud Potentially Leading The Way To Better Recovery Solutions For All Victims We are very proud of our volunteers and staff for their support during the study by the University of Aukland, New Zealand, and to all of the victims and SCARS Members that participated. SCARS continues to lead the [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2022-03-24T21:23:25-04:00October 23rd, 2018|Categories: SCARS Research|Tags: Announcement, New Zealand, Research Study, romance scam, Scam Psychology, SCARS, University of Auckland, Victims|

This Is What It Feels Like To Be The Victim Of An International Romance Scam

This Is What It Feels Like To Be The Victim Of An International Romance Scam BuzzFeed News spoke to women who fell for men that turned out to be elaborate fake identities created by fraudsters. Includes an interview with SCARS' Chairman Dr. Tim McGuinness By Patrick Smith, BuzzFeed News Reporter - Posted on November 12, 2016, at 3:52 a.m. Preprinted to preserve this article for SCARS' History Archives - Copyright Acknowledged Mary can’t stand Kanye West. Her [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2020-09-05T21:24:31-04:00August 18th, 2018|Categories: AFRICAN SCAMS & SCAMMERS|Tags: BuzzFeed News, Dr. Tim McGuinness, interview, Patrick Smith, SCARS' Chairman, Victim Of An International Romance Scam|

RSN™ Guide: Victim Bashing or Blaming

RSN™ Guide: Victim Bashing or Blaming Victim Blaming or Bashing - The SCARS View Victim blaming occurs when the victim of a crime or any wrongful act is held entirely or partially at fault for the harm that befell them. The study of Victimology seeks to mitigate the perception of victims as responsible. There is a greater tendency to blame victims of rape or romance scams than victims of robbery if victims and perpetrators know each other. Hey, Don't Blame The Victim! [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2022-03-24T21:23:28-04:00August 4th, 2018|Categories: SCARS Research|Tags: AFRICAN APOLOGISTS, Crime Apologists, Ideal Crimes, Ideal Victims, Scammer Apologists, Victim Bashing, Victim Blaming, Victim Culpability, Victim Guilt, Victim Of A Crime, Victimology|

ATTENTION SCAM VICTIMS FROM NEW ZEALAND

ATTENTION SCAM VICTIMS FROM NEW ZEALAND A Scam Victims Research Study is being conducted by the University of Auckland, New Zealand, with the support of SCARS™ This study has been reviewed and formally approved by SCARS and the University of Auckland (NZ) for a study to help Romance Scam victims. The study is a formal study of victims to help find new solutions for assistance, support, and recovery. SCARS has created a private Facebook Group [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2022-03-24T21:23:29-04:00July 6th, 2018|Categories: SCARS Research|Tags: Facebook Group, Research Study, Romance Scam Victims, Scam Victim Trauma, scam victims, Study Group, Victims Residing in New Zealand|

Scam Victim’s Selfishness – A Common Behavior That Leads To Romance Scams? [Updated] – 2025

Scam Victim's Selfishness Not All Selfishness Is Bad For Scam Victims, As You Will Discover! Scam Victim Recovery - A SCARS Institute Insight Author: • Tim McGuinness, Ph.D., DFin, MCPO, MAnth - Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. See Author Biographies Below Article Abstract Scam victimization is often framed in terms of manipulation and deceit, yet recovery [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2025-09-03T19:55:47-04:00May 3rd, 2018|Categories: ♦ PSYCHOLOGY OF SCAMS, 2018, 2023, 2025, Impact of Scams on Victims, Insights, Psychology of Scams, Recovery Psychology, Romance Scams & Relationship Scams, Scam Victim Recovery, Self Help - Supporting Yourself, Victimology, ♦ SCAM VICTIM RECOVERY|Tags: Psychology of Scams, Recovering After A Scam, Recovery Programs, Romance Scams, scam victims, Self-care, Selfishness, Victim Recovery|

SCARS STEPS – SCARS GREEN BOOK -Scam Victim Recovery Program

SCARS Steps Self-Paced Recovery Program Now Available In Book Form The SCARS GREEN BOOK To Purchase the SCARS Green Book visit Shop.AgainstScams.org SCARS OFFICIAL GREEN BOOK THE SCARS STEPS PROGRAM - SELF-HELP SELF-PACES SCAM VICTIM RECOVERY PROGRAM GUIDE A SCAM RECOVERY GUIDE FOR SCAM VICTIMS FROM SCARS The SCARS GREEN BOOK helps you get over your scam! This publication is to help Scam Victims recover from their scam experience - A Self-Help Self-Paced 8 Step Recovery Program From Scams & [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2022-03-24T21:43:02-04:00May 6th, 2016|Categories: Scam Victim Recovery|Tags: Dating Scams, Relationship Scam Victim Recovery Program, Romance Scam Victim, Romance Scam Victim Recovery Program, Scam Victim, Scam Victim Recovery Program, SCARS Steps, Victim Recovery|

Hostility Toward Scam Victims Is A Common Manipulative Technique Of Scammers – UPDATED 2024

Hostility Toward Scam Victims Is A Common Manipulative Technique Of Scammers Understanding Hostility as a Manipulative Technique How Scammers Operate - A SCARS Insight Author: • Tim McGuinness, Ph.D., DFin, MCPO, MAnth - Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. Originally Published: 2016 - Article Updated: 2024 Article Abstract The hostility displayed by online scammers towards their victims is a disturbing [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2024-02-27T14:17:45-05:00March 31st, 2016|Categories: ♦ HOW SCAMMERS OPERATE, 2016, 2024, Grooming & Manipulation, Insights, Psychology of Scams, Scammer Techniques & Methods, ♦ PSYCHOLOGY OF SCAMS|Tags: Red Flags, Romance Scams, scammer hostility, scammer threats|

WARNING: AI-Enabled Browsers Pose a Cybersecurity Risk – 2025

WARNING: AI-Enabled Browsers Pose a Cybersecurity Risk - 2025 A Cybersecurity Risk: The Hidden Dangers of AI-Enabled Web Browsers Cybersecurity / AI-Artificial Intelligence - A SCARS Institute Insight Author: • Tim McGuinness, Ph.D., DFin, MCPO, MAnth - Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. See Author Biographies Below Article Abstract AI-enabled browsers like ChatGPT Atlas, Comet, and Microsoft's [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2025-10-24T07:30:21-04:00October 24th, 2025|Categories: ♦ CYBERSECURITY, 2025, AI - Artificial Intelligence, Analytics & Information, Insights, Online Safety, WARNINGS, ♦ AI - ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, ♦ ENCYCLOPEDIA OF SCAMS, ♦ ONLINE SAFETY, ♦ SCARS TOOLBOX|

Protecting the People: The Role that Governments are or are not taking in Combating Cybercrime – 2025

Protecting the People: The Role that Governments are or are not taking in Combating Cybercrime Governments' Stance on Crime in General and How This Might Impact Cybercrime: A Critical Factor in Protecting Citizens and National Security Advocacy / Criminology - A SCARS Institute Special Report Author: • Tim McGuinness, Ph.D., DFin, MCPO, MAnth - Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. See [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2025-10-19T05:26:55-04:00October 19th, 2025|Categories: ♦ ADVOCACY & ACTIVISM, 2025, Analytics & Information, Cybercrime, Cybercrime Analysis, Government Policies, Government Programs & Projects, SCARS Research, Special Reports, ♦ ANALYTICS & DATA, ♦ CRIMINOLOGY / VICTIMOLOGY, ♦ ENCYCLOPEDIA OF SCAMS, ♦ GOVERNMENT POLICY LAWS & REGULATION, ♦ LAW ENFORCEMENT - JUSTICE - INVESTIGATION|Tags: Crime Analysis, Governments|

Logistics and Cargo Theft Scams & Fraud – 2025

Logistics and Cargo Theft Scams & Fraud The Evolving Threat of Logistics & Cargo Theft Scams: Strategies and Solutions Catalog of Scams / How Scams Work - A SCARS Institute Insight Author: • Tim McGuinness, Ph.D., DFin, MCPO, MAnth - Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. See Author Biographies Below Article Abstract Cargo theft has evolved into [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2025-10-17T18:14:02-04:00October 17th, 2025|Categories: ♦ SCAMPEDIA: CATALOG OF SCAMS, 2025, Analytics & Information, Insights, NORTH AMERICA SCAMS & SCAMMERS, Scammer Techniques & Methods, • OTHER TRUSTED PARTY SCAM, ♦ ENCYCLOPEDIA OF SCAMS, ♦ HOW SCAMS WORK|Tags: Catalog of Scams, Fraudsters, scammers, Scams|

“Pao Fen” Payment Laundering and What It Means – 2025

“Pao Fen” Payment Laundering Understanding “Pao Fen” Payment Laundering and What It Means for Scam Recovery How Scams Work / Criminology - A SCARS Institute Insight & Analysis Authors: • Tim McGuinness, Ph.D., DFin, MCPO, MAnth - Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. • Based on Research by: Fangzhou Wang and James D. Kelsay See Author Biographies Below [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2025-10-13T22:11:15-04:00October 13th, 2025|Categories: ♦ CRIMINOLOGY / VICTIMOLOGY, 2025, Anti-Money Laundering - AML, Crypto Investment Scams/Pig Butchering Scams, Cryptocurrency Scams, Cybercrime Analysis, Financial Fraud & Scams, Insights, Romance Scams & Relationship Scams, Scammer Techniques & Methods, SCARS Analysis & Research, ♦ ABOUT MONEY MULES, ♦ ENCYCLOPEDIA OF SCAMS, ♦ HOW SCAMS WORK, ♦ MONEY MULES, ♦ MONEY RECOVERY|Tags: Money Laundering|

Lawyer-Based Money Laundering Scam – 2025

Lawyer-Based Money Laundering Scam Attorney/Law Firm/Lawyer-Based Money Laundering Scams: A Practical Guide For Attorneys And Business Leaders Catalog of Scams / How Scams Work - A SCARS Institute Insight Authors: • Tim McGuinness, Ph.D., DFin, MCPO, MAnth - Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. • Debby Montgomery Johnson, President and CEO of BenfoComplete.com, Online Scam/Fraud Survivors Advocate, Author, Keynote Speaker, Trainer, [...]

Victor Lustig – The Classic Con Man – 2025

Victor Lustig - The Classic Con Man Victor Lustig: the Con Artist Who Sold the Eiffel Tower and Outfoxed Al Capone Bio of a Fraudster - A SCARS Institute Insight Authors: • SCARS Institute Encyclopedia of Scams Editorial Team - Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. • Vianey Gonzalez B.Sc(Psych) – Psychologist, Certified Deception Professional, Psychology Advisory Panel & Director of the Society of Citizens Against [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2025-10-04T23:29:10-04:00October 4th, 2025|Categories: 2025, Bio of a Fraudster, History of Scams, Insights, ♦ ENCYCLOPEDIA OF SCAMS, ♦ PHILOSOPHY OF SCAMS|

Your Mother is in a Romance Scam – Now What Do You Do? – 2025

Your Mother is in a Romance Scam - Now What Do You Do? A Teen's Guide to Helping Their Mother Escape from Her Scam and What To Do Next! For Family & Friends / Scam Victim Recovery - A SCARS Institute Insight Authors: • Vianey Gonzalez B.Sc(Psych) – Psychologist, Certified Deception Professional, Psychology Advisory Panel & Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. • [...]

AI is Deceiving You – Essay by AI Warning You About AI – 2025

AI is Deceiving You - Essay by AI Warning You About AI The Art of AI Deception: How AI is Mastering the Craft of Manipulation & Lies AI (Artificial Intelligence) / An Essay - A SCARS Institute Insight Authors: • Written by: Venice.ai, LLM & Artificial Intelligence • Edited & Interviewed by: Tim McGuinness, Ph.D., DFin, MCPO, MAnth - Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2025-09-28T10:56:37-04:00September 28th, 2025|Categories: ♦ AI - ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, 2025, Editorial & Commentary, Synthetic Content, Technology Of Scamming, WARNINGS, ♦ EDITORIALS & COMMENTARY, ♦ ENCYCLOPEDIA OF SCAMS, ♦ SCAM WARNINGS & ALERTS|Tags: AI, Artificial Intelligence|

The Permission Structure that Accommodates Scams and Online Criminality in Africa – 2025

The Permission Structure that Accommodates Scams and Online Criminality Permission Structures and West African Online Fraud: Social Scripts, Moral Economies, and Paths to Prevention Criminology - A SCARS Institute Insight Author: • Tim McGuinness, Ph.D., DFin, MCPO, MAnth - Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. See Author Biographies Below Article Abstract Permission structures are the shared stories, [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2025-09-23T04:02:00-04:00September 23rd, 2025|Categories: ♦ CRIMINOLOGY / VICTIMOLOGY, 2025, AFRICAN SCAMS & SCAMMERS, Culture Of Scamming, Cybercrime Analysis, Insights, Organized Crime, Terrorism & Scams, • BUSINESS IMPOSTER SCAM, • INVESTMENT SCAM, • OTHER TRUSTED PARTY SCAM, • RELATIVE/FAMILY/FRIEND SCAM, ♦ HOW SCAMMERS OPERATE, ♦ SCAMPEDIA: CATALOG OF SCAMS|Tags: africa, Criminology|

Dead Internet Theory – An Urban Legend – 2025

Dead Internet Theory - An Urban Legend Online Scams and the Dead Internet Theory: How Automation Fuels Distrust in the Digital World Urban Legends - A SCARS Institute Insight Author: • Tim McGuinness, Ph.D., DFin, MCPO, MAnth - Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. See Author Biographies Below Article Abstract The dead internet theory claims that much [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2025-09-09T20:46:37-04:00September 9th, 2025|Categories: ♦ URBAN LEGENDS MYTHS & FALSE INFORMATION, 2025, AI - Artificial Intelligence, Bot Attacks, Facebook Social Media & Online Safety, Insights, Online Safety, URBAN LEGENDS, ♦ AI - ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, ♦ ENCYCLOPEDIA OF SCAMS, ♦ ONLINE SAFETY|Tags: Conspiracy, Paranoia, Theory, Trust|

A Letter to Donald J. Trump, President of the United States of America – 2025

A Letter to Donald J. Trump, President of the United States of America A Policy Brief to the Trump Administration A SCARS Institute Initiative September 5, 2025 Hon. Donald J. Trump, 47th President of the United States of America 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, District of Columbia Strengthening U.S. Cybercrime Defense and Victim Support: A Policy Brief Executive summary Cybercrime has outpaced the nation’s current defenses, creating a [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2025-09-06T03:05:37-04:00September 6th, 2025|Categories: ♦ ADVOCACY & ACTIVISM, 2025, Editorial & Commentary, Government Policies, Government Programs & Projects, Governmental Entities & Agencies, Politics & Scamming - Political Advocacy, SCARS News & Announcements, ♦ EDITORIALS & COMMENTARY, ♦ ENCYCLOPEDIA OF SCAMS, ♦ GOVERNMENT POLICY LAWS & REGULATION, ♦ SCARS ADVOCACY|

How to Write/Email to Congress – Every Survivor’s Guide – 2025

How to Write/Email to Congress - Every Survivor's Guide Why Every Scam Victim and Family Member Should Email Congress Right Now Scam Survivor Activism - A SCARS Institute Guide Authors: • Tim McGuinness, Ph.D., DFin, MCPO, MAnth - Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. See Author Biographies Below Article Abstract Online scams have reached epidemic proportions, impacting [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2025-09-01T13:21:00-04:00September 1st, 2025|Categories: ♦ ADVOCACY & ACTIVISM, 2025, Governmental Entities & Agencies, Guides, NORTH AMERICA SCAMS & SCAMMERS, Scam Victims Legal & Civil Rights, ♦ ABOUT ADVOCACY & ACTIVISM, ♦ ENCYCLOPEDIA OF SCAMS, ♦ GOVERNMENT POLICY LAWS & REGULATION, ♦ SCARS ADVOCACY|Tags: Activism|

Manipulative Underspecification – a Powerful Manipulation Technique Used by Scammers – 2025

Manipulative Underspecification A Powerful Manipulation Technique Used by Scammers Manipulative Underspecification: A Tactic of Psychological Manipulation and Control Psychology of Scams / Manipulation - A SCARS Institute Insight Author: • Tim McGuinness, Ph.D., DFin, MCPO, MAnth - Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. See Author Biographies Below Article Abstract Manipulative underspecification is a psychological manipulation tactic that [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2025-08-31T04:16:14-04:00August 31st, 2025|Categories: ♦ PSYCHOLOGY OF SCAMS, 2025, Crypto Investment Scams/Pig Butchering Scams, Cryptocurrency Scams, Grooming & Manipulation, Impact of Scams on Victims, Insights, Psychology of Scams, Romance Scams & Relationship Scams, Scammer Techniques & Methods, ♦ ENCYCLOPEDIA OF SCAMS, ♦ HOW SCAMMERS OPERATE|Tags: Manipulation|

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