Search results for: psychology

The Psychology of Self-Justified Harm to Others – 2026

The Psychology of Self-Justified Harm to Others Moral Disengagement, Criminal Rationalization, and the Psychology of Self-Justified Harm by Online Criminals Criminology / Criminal Psychology / 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. See Author Biographies Below Article Abstract Moral disengagement explains [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2026-07-19T19:16:54-04:00July 19th, 2026|Categories: ♦ CRIMINOLOGY / VICTIMOLOGY, 2026, Culture Of Scamming, For New Victims, Insights, Psychology of Scams, Recovery Psychology, Scam Baiting, SCARS Research, Victimization, ♦ ENCYCLOPEDIA OF SCAMS, ♦ HOW SCAMMERS OPERATE, ♦ HOW SCAMS WORK, ♦ PHILOSOPHY OF SCAMS, ♦ PSYCHOLOGY OF SCAMS|

Recovery Psychology: There Is No “He” Or “She” In Romance Scams – 2021 [UPDATED 2023]

Recovery Psychology: There Is No He Or She In Romance Scams Correcting Confusion And Helping Victims To Understand Recovery Psychology Recovery Psychology - A SCARS Insight Understanding Recovery Psychology - There Is Not 'Him' or 'Her' Almost all Romance Scam Victims start out confused about who scammed them and about their recovery! Often scam victims associate the scam with the face in the photos, even if intellectually they understand that [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2023-12-15T03:00:44-05:00December 15th, 2023|Categories: ♦ SCAM VICTIM RECOVERY, 2021, 2023, Insights, Recovery Psychology, Scam Victim Recovery|Tags: He, Recovery Psychology, She, The Psychology of Scams, They|

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|

Victim Psychology – Managing Your Emotional 5 Saboteurs

Managing Your Emotional 5 Saboteurs Understanding Ways Victims Sabotage Their Recovery The Psychology of Recovery A SCARS Insight Scam Victims Often Sabotage Their Own Recovery After The Scam Ends - Victim Psychology To Successfully Recover It Is Important To Understand How This Happens When you feel the tension like this building within you, take a long, deep breath. Consider the potential consequences or implications of overreacting to it. It’s also [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2022-07-11T21:33:59-04:00July 11th, 2022|Categories: Recovery Psychology, 2022, Insights|Tags: Emotional Saboteurs, Managing Emotions, Recovery Psychology, Victim Psychology, Victim Recovery|

Psychology Of Online Dating/Romance Scams – A 2012 Research Report [PDF] [UPDATED]

A Better Understanding of Romance Scams. The Psychological Consequences Of Being A Victim Of The Online Dating Romance Scam. Research Undertaken at The University of Leicester

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2023-10-08T14:08:10-04:00February 23rd, 2022|Categories: 2022, Analytics & Information, Cybercrime, Polls & Surveys, SCARS Research, Victimology, ♦ ABOUT ALL SCARS KNOWLEDGE & LEARNING, ♦ ANALYTICS & DATA|Tags: Dr. Tom Buchanan, Professor Monica Whitty, Romance Scams, University of Leicester), University of Westminster|

Psychology of Scams – Article Catalog

Psychology of Scams The How & Why of Scam Psychology From Approach & Selection to Capture & Grooming, to Manipulation & Containment! Learn the answers to why this happened to someone like You! A SCARS Article Subject Catalog Our Human Psychology Enables Us To Be Scammed! We Are Built To Be Manipulated And Scammers Know How To Do This! However, the more you know about these psychological processes, the better [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2023-04-01T00:00:44-04:00July 3rd, 2021|Categories: Recovery Psychology, 2021, Article Catalog, Psychology of Scams, Victim Trauma & PTSD, ♦ PSYCHOLOGY OF SCAMS, ♦ SUBJECT ARTICLE CATALOG|Tags: Information About Scams, Psychology, Psychology of Scams, Recovery, Romance Scams, TRAUMA, Victim Psychology|

Dissociative Amnesia – Psychology of Scams

Dissociative Amnesia Dissociative Amnesia Occurs When A Person Blocks Out Certain Traumatic Memories SCARS Psychology of Scams Dissociative Amnesia Dissociative Amnesia occurs when a person blocks out certain information, often associated with a stressful or traumatic event, leaving the person unable to remember important personal information. Many scam victims find that after the trauma of discovery, they lose many of their memories both before and after. Temporary memory [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2022-03-24T21:44:57-04:00July 1st, 2021|Categories: Recovery Psychology|Tags: Dissociative Amnesia, Psychology of Scams|

Psychology of Scams: When Panic Sets In

Psychology of Scams: When Panic Sets In You just found out about your scam, what happens next can lead to panic! After a Scam Stability Can Be a Rubberband! After the scam, a typical victim is in shock, but denial quickly sets in. But if it is not brought under control then panic can be the result! Everyone understands grief, but scam victims are frequently in shock after [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2022-03-24T21:22:27-04:00January 25th, 2021|Categories: Anger & Aggression|Tags: Anger & Rage, Crybercriminals, cybercrime, Information About Scams, Online Crime Is Real Crime, Online Fraud, Panic, Panic Attacks, Psychology of Scams, Romance Scams, Scam Fear, scam victims, SCARS, Victim Recovery|

Understanding Trauma Compulsions – Psychology of Scams

Understanding Trauma Compulsions - Psychology of Scams When exploring the psychology of scams it is essential to look deeply at trauma and its compulsions and how they manifest The Compulsion to Repeat the Trauma "Re-enactment, Revictimization, and Masochism" By Bessel A. van der Kolk, MD* Published in: Psychiatric Clinics of North America, Volume 12, Number 2, Pages 389-411, June 1989. SCARS Editor's Note: This research is not specifically [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2022-12-19T20:12:48-05:00January 21st, 2021|Categories: SCARS Research|Tags: Anti-Scam, Compulsion of Repeating Trauma, Crybercriminals, cybercrime, Fraudsters, Information About Scams, Mental Health, Online Crime Is Real Crime, Online Fraud, Psychology of Scams, PTSD, Romance Scams, scam victims, scammers, Scams, SCARS, Understanding Trauma Compulsions, Victim Trauma|

Survivorship Bias & Romance Scams – Psychology of Scams

Please Help Us Help Scam Victims Worldwide By Making A Small Donation To SCARS Your generous contribution of Just $5 will help us continue to educate & support the victims of relationship scams. You will be helping to support free scam avoidance education for adults & children, free victims' assistance & support, free victim recovery programs, real advocacy on behalf of victims, online crime prevention programs, and so much more that SCARS delivers. Click [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2022-03-24T21:43:56-04:00January 16th, 2021|Categories: Victimology|Tags: Anti-Scam, Crybercriminals, cybercrime, Fraudsters, Information About Scams, Online Crime Is Real Crime, Online Fraud, Psychology of Scams, Romance Scams, Scam Avoidance, scam victims, scammers, Scams, SCARS, Survivors' Bias|

Psychology of Scams: Immediate and Delayed Reactions to Trauma

Immediate and Delayed Reactions to Trauma Understanding Scam Victim Trauma Psychology of Scams - A SCARS Insight Trauma Plays A Massive Role In Romance Scam Victims It influences or controls almost every aspect of a victim's life until it is resolved or addressed. Far too many victims (almost 60%) do not address their trauma, and as a result to not successfully recover or recover over a much longer period of [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2022-12-23T07:00:53-05:00December 31st, 2020|Categories: ♦ SCAM VICTIM RECOVERY, 2020, Impact of Scams on Victims, Insights, Recovery Psychology, Victim Trauma & PTSD|Tags: Delayed Trauma, Immediate Trauma, Reactions to Trauma, Romance Scams, scam victims, Trauma Effects, Traumatized Victims|

SCARS™ Psychology of Scams: Why You Can’t Stop Looking At The Stolen Face

SCARS™ Psychology of Scams: Why You Can't Stop Looking At The Stolen Face Why Some People Can't Stop Thinking About Their Exes - Ex-Scammer's Stolen Face How are you dealing with a fake relationship breakup? Some people throw themselves into depression, some into anger, some try to work through it with work, or some through hunting down scammers and "exposing them". These can all be efforts to distract themselves from the heartache and the trauma [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2022-03-24T21:45:16-04:00April 8th, 2020|Categories: Recovery Psychology|Tags: Act AgainstScams, Anti-Scam, Crybercriminals, cybercrime, Cyberstalking, Following Other Victims, Fraudsters, Impersonation Victims, Information About Scams, Romance Scams, scam victims, scammers, Scams, SCARS|

SCARS™ Psychology of Scams: Repeating The Scam – Engaging In Risky Behavior Over & Over

SCARS™ Psychology of Scams: Repeating The Scam - Engaging In Risky Behavior Over & Over During the formative years of contemporary psychiatry, much attention was paid to the continuing role of past traumatic experiences on the current lives of people. Charcot, Janet, and Freud all noted that fragmented memories of traumatic events dominated the mental life of many of their patient and built their theories about the nature and treatment of psychopathology on this recognition. [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2022-03-24T21:24:56-04:00March 7th, 2020|Categories: SCARS Research|Tags: Anti-Scam, Compulsion to Repeat, Crybercriminals, cybercrime, Fraudsters, Important Article, Information About Scams, Re-enactment, Repeating the Trauma, Revictimization, Romance Scams, Scam Recidivism, Scam Repetition, scam victims, scammers, Scams, SCARS|

SCARS™ Psychology of Scams: Reciprocity Rule & Scams

SCARS™ Psychology of Scams: Reciprocity Rule & Scams Definition Of Reciprocity In social psychology, reciprocity is a social norm of responding to a positive action with another positive action, rewarding kind actions. As a social construct, reciprocity means that in response to friendly actions, people are frequently much nicer and much more cooperative than predicted by the self-interest model; conversely, in response to hostile actions, they are frequently much nastier and even brutal. [lwptoc] Reciprocity is also a technique of Social Engineering. [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2022-03-24T21:42:51-04:00January 18th, 2020|Categories: Scam Victim Recovery|Tags: Anti-Scam, Important Article, Information About Scams, Manipulative Techniques, Psychology of Scams, Reciprocity Rule, Scam Education, Scam Recovery, Scammer Manipulation, SCARS, Self-Support, Victim Psychology|

SCARS™ Psychology of Scams: Screen Time, Sleep Deprivation, and Romance Scams

SCARS™ Psychology of Scams: Screen Time, Sleep Deprivation, and Romance Scams The Effects of Screen Time on Health Extract of an article by Dr. Gadi Lissak, Behavioral Medicine Psychologist & Biofeedback Specialist, on the effects of screen time on the health of children, adolescents, and adults. [lwptoc] Introduction The variety of devices enabling media consumption is constantly increasing, and there is constant improvement in their technological capabilities. However, one of the constant common characteristics is [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2022-12-19T02:59:15-05:00January 12th, 2020|Categories: SCARS Research|Tags: Anti-Scam, Important Article, Information About Scams, Psychology Of Romance Scams, Romance Scams, Scam Victim Recovery, SCARS, Screen Time, Sleep Deprivation|

Psychology Of Scams: Why Keeping Your Scam Secret Harms You And Everyone Else!

Why Keeping Your Scam Secret Harms You And Everyone Else! The More You Keep It Bottled Up, The More Your Trauma Will Progress Eventually, it can develop into full Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Keeping Your Scam Secret Will Only Increase Your Trauma Why Scam Victims Don’t Disclose Being A Victim Being a scam victim is often not disclosed to anyone for many years. Some people may never [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2022-03-24T21:45:17-04:00November 27th, 2019|Categories: Recovery Psychology|Tags: Anti-Scam, Disclosing The Scam, Harms You And Everyone Else, Important Article, Information About Scams, Keeping Your Scam Secret, Romance Scam Victim, SCARS, SCARS|EDUCATION™ Psychology Of Scams, Talking About Your Scam, Telling Firends and Family|

SCARS™ Psychology of Scams Video – Stranger Trust

SCARS™ Psychology of Scams Video - Stranger Trust Stranger Trust Is A Documented Psychological Phenomenon That Opens The Door To Vulnerability! To learn more about Stranger Trust CLICK HERE » Do you remember not to talk to strangers? Stranger Trust is the first step in making yourself vulnerable! Once the scammer or cybercriminal is in the door, then you are lost control. THIS IS EXACTLY HOW SOCIAL ENGINEERING WORKS! Tags: Psychology of Scams, Stranger [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2022-03-24T20:44:46-04:00August 24th, 2019|Categories: ♦ ABOUT CYBERSECURITY|Tags: Cybersecurity, Helping Strangers, Psychology of Scams, stranger trust, Victim Motivation|

SCARS™ Psychology of Scams: What Drives Us To Be Scammed

SCARS™ Psychology of Scams: What Drives Us To Be Scammed Every Minute, Every Day, Throughout Our Lives We Rush Headlong From One Scam To Another [lwptoc] Why Are We Scammed? Because we are emotional beings who want for things we do not have. It really is that simple. Marketers, salespeople, politicians, and scammers - wait, it there any difference between them? They are all selling us something we long for. Every Day We Are Scammed [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2022-03-24T21:22:31-04:00August 20th, 2019|Categories: Anger & Aggression|Tags: Amygdala Hijack, Anger, Anti-Scam, Anti-Scam Groups, Curiosity, Exclusivity, FEAR, Flattery, Gaslighting, Greed, Guilt, How We Are Scammed, Important Article, Information About Scams, Instant Gratification, MArketing Deception, Nostalgia, Political Deception, Psychology of Scams, Salvation, Savior Syndrome, Saviors, SCARS, To Be Scammed, What Drives Us|

SCARS™ Psychology Of Scams: Hate As A Coping Mechanism

SCARS™ Psychology Of Scams: Hate As A Coping Mechanism After A Romance Scam Comes Anger Against Scammers, But When It Turns To Hate A Victim May Turn Away From Normal Recovery [lwptoc] Self-Hate, And By Extension Hate For The Scammer And Others Is The Most Dangerous Coping Mechanism Coping mechanisms are strategies and behaviors that are carried out to mitigate, manage or adapt to anything that causes distress. AFTER A ROMANCE SCAM, THERE IS CERTAINLY [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2022-03-24T21:22:32-04:00August 10th, 2019|Categories: Anger & Aggression|Tags: Counseling, Hating Others, Important Article, Information About Scams, Mental Health, Psychology of Scams, Romance Scam Victims, Scam Recovery, SCARS, SCARS Scam Victim Support Groups, Self-Esteem, Self-Hate, Self-Identity, Support Groups, Therapy|

The Dark Side of the Psychology of Scams – Schadenfreude

The Dark Side of the Victim Psychology - Schadenfreude The Psychology of Scams A SCARS Insight The Dark Side Of Victim Psychology For Many Years We Have Attempted To Understand The Obsessions Many Scam Victims Experience With Scammer Photos! PLEASE NOTE: This is not presented to make victims feel bad. This is shared to help victims take a look at their own emotions in the hope that it can bring [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2022-03-24T21:45:20-04:00August 3rd, 2019|Categories: Recovery Psychology|Tags: Drak Side of Victim Psychology, Psychology of Scams, SCARS, Schadenfreude, Vicarious Joy from Misery, Victim Education, Victim Learning, Victim Psychology, Victim Support|

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|

SCARS™ Psychology Of Scams: A Candid Discussion Of Trauma And Emotional Hygiene By Guy Winch, Ph.D. – TED Talk [Video]

SCARS™ Psychology Of Scams: A Candid Discussion Of Trauma And Emotional Hygiene By Guy Winch, Ph.D. - TED Talk [Video] We'll go to the doctor when we feel flu-ish or a nagging pain. So why don't we see a health professional when we feel emotional pain: guilt, loss, loneliness? Too many of us deal with common psychological-health issues on our own, says Guy Winch. But we don't have to. He makes a compelling case to [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2022-03-24T21:45:22-04:00July 9th, 2019|Categories: Recovery Psychology|Tags: Anti-Scam, Anti-Scam Video, Discussion of Emotional Difficulties, Emotional Damage, Emotional Trauma, Emotional Hygiene, Guy Winch Ph.D., Important Article, Information About Scams, SCARS, SCARS|EDUCATION ScamTV, TED Talk, Video|

SCARS™ Psychology Of Scams: A Candid Discussion Of Grief By Nora McInerny – TED Talk [Video]

SCARS™ Psychology Of Scams: A Candid Discussion Of Grief By Nora McInerny - TED Talk [Video] This video may be difficult to watch for some, but well worth it. PLEASE SHARE OUR ARTICLES WITH YOUR CONTACTS HELP OTHERS STAY SAFE ONLINE SCARS™ Team A SCARS Division Miami Florida U.S.A. TAGS: SCARS, Important Article, Information About Scams, Anti-Scam, Romance Scam Grief, Profound Grief, Moving Forward, Nora McInerny, TED Talk, Discussion of Grief, [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2022-03-24T21:45:23-04:00July 8th, 2019|Categories: Recovery Psychology|Tags: Anti-Scam, Anti-Scam Video, Discussion of Grief, Important Article, Information About Scams, Moving Forward, Nora McInerny, Profound Grief, Romance Scam Grief, SCARS, SCARS|EDUCATION ScamTV, TED Talk, Video|

SCARS™ Psychology of Scams: Jay Shetty on Letting Go! [Video]

SCARS™ Psychology of Scams: Jay Shetty on Letting Go! [Video] Learning The Real Pain Of Holding On Is The First Step In Letting Go! If we don't heal the pain of our past we will bleed all over our future. 5 Ways to Let Go of Past Hurts from PshychoCentral: The only way you can accept new joy and happiness into your life is to make space for it. If your heart is filled [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2022-03-24T21:45:24-04:00June 21st, 2019|Categories: Recovery Psychology|Tags: 000, 19, 21, About SCARS, Actions, Again, Age, AI, Ale, Alert, Ally, Ana, Ani, Anti-Scam, Anti-scam Information, Anyscam, Anyscam.com, arning, Author, Bad Behavior, Beating Yourself Up, BEC, Black, Blaming, Brains, CA, Care, Cats, CES, Chat, China, CIA, CO, Comments, Complex, Con, Copyright, criminal, CT, Cybercriminal, Data, Di, Discussion Forum, Em, Email, Enforcement, Ether, Eve, Express Your Pain, Face, Facebook, Facebook Page, Facebook.com, FBI, Feeling, feelings, Find, First, FL, Flor, Florida, Forgiving Yourself, Forum, Friend, GA, Gina, Good, Government, Han, Happiness, Heart, Hurt, IC3, IC3.gov, ICE, IL, Important Article, Information About Scams, IRS, Jo, Journal, Joy, Just, k, Knowledge, LA, Law Enforcement, Lay, Lee, Let Go, Let It Go, Lin, Liz, Local Police, Mail, Man, men, Miami, MO, Move On, Nat, National Police, NC, Need, Network, New, News, NIST, NY, ON, Online, online crime, PA, Pain, participant, Pat, PLEASE SHARE, Police, Police Report, Power, Psychology, Psychology of Scams, Real, Relationship Scams, Report, Report All Scammers, Report Scammers, Report Scams, Reporting, Responsibility, Ring, romance scam, romance scammer, romance scammers, Romance Scams, Romance Scams Now, RSN, Safe, scam, Scam News, Scam Victim, scam victims, Scam Victims Support, ScamCrime, Scammer, scammers, Scams, Scams & Scammers, SCARS, SCARS|CDN, SCARS|EDUCATION, SCARS|WORLDWIDE, Society, Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams, Society of Citizens Against Romance Scams, Sol, SS, Star, Stay Safe Online, Stop Being The Victim, Support, Support Group, TAGS: SCARS, Team, TED, Tell Us, The First Step In Letting Go, The Real Pain Of Holding On, Trademarks, U.S., U.S.A., UK, US, Victim, Victims, Victims Support, Video, Vote, WA, Watch List, Web, Worldwide, Writing, www.AgainstScams.org, www.anyscam.com, Your Experience, Your Identity, Zen, |

SCARS™ Psychology of Scams: TEDed Introduction To Post Traumatic Stress Disorder [VIDEO]

SCARS™ Psychology of Scams: TEDed Introduction To Post Traumatic Stress Disorder [VIDEO] What Is Posttraumatic Stress Disorder? Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder that can occur in people who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event such as a natural disaster, a serious accident, a terrorist act, war/combat, rape or other violent personal assault. PTSD has been known by many names in the past, such as “shell shock” during the years of World [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2022-03-24T21:45:25-04:00June 20th, 2019|Categories: Recovery Psychology|Tags: 000, 19, 21, About SCARS, Abuse, Actions, Adult, Again, Age, AI, Ale, Alert, Anger, Ani, Anti-Scam, Anti-scam Information, Anyscam, Anyscam.com, arning, Ash, Author, Bing, CA, Cats, CES, Chat, Child Abuse, China, CID, CO, Comments, Con, Copyright, criminal, CT, Cybercriminal, Data, Death, Di, Discussion Forum, Em, Email, Enforcement, Eve, Face, Facebook, Facebook Page, Facebook.com, Family, FBI, FEAR, Feeling, feelings, Find, First, FL, Flor, Florida, Forum, GA, Gina, Government, Guide, Han, Hell, IC3, IC3.gov, ICE, IL, Important Article, Information About Scams, introduction, IRS, Just, k, kind, Knowledge, LA, Law Enforcement, Lay, Lin, Liz, Local Police, Lou, Mail, Man, men, Miami, Mill, Milli, Mind, MO, name, Nat, National Police, Natural Disaster, NC, Need, Network, New, News, NY, Officers, ON, Online, online crime, Osu, PA, PLEASE SHARE, Police, Police Report, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Psychology, Psychology of Scams, PTSD, Relationship Scams, Report, Report All Scammers, Report Scammers, Report Scams, Reporting, Ring, romance scam, Romance Scam Victim, Romance Scam Victims, romance scammer, romance scammers, Romance Scams, Romance Scams & PTSD, Romance Scams Now, RSN, RSN Guide, Safe, scam, Scam News, Scam Victim, scam victims, Scam Victims Support, ScamCrime, Scammer, scammers, Scams, Scams & Scammers, SCARS, SCARS|CDN, SCARS|EDUCATION, SCARS|EDUCATION Guide, SCARS|WORLDWIDE, Serious, Society, Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams, Society of Citizens Against Romance Scams, Sol, SS, Stay Safe Online, Support, Support Group, TAGS: SCARS, Team, TED, TEDed Video, Tell Us, Term, Trademarks, TRAUMA, U.S., U.S.A., UK, Understanting The Traum Of Romance Scams, US, Veteran, Victim, Victims, Victims Support, Video, WA, Watch List, Web, women, Worldwide, www.AgainstScams.org, www.anyscam.com, Your Experience, Zen, |

Psychology Of Scams: Scam Fetishists or Willing Victims?

Psychology Of Scams: Scam Fetishists or Willing Victims? Men or Women Who Get Scammed On Purpose? Are There Men Or Women Who Want To Get Scammed Online?? "CATFISHISM" Appears To Be A Thing Now! Who Knew? There appears to be a growing number of men involved in "catfishism," a fetish centered around getting scammed on the internet. These men or women willingly hand over their money (as much [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2022-03-24T21:29:59-04:00June 1st, 2019|Categories: ♦ ABOUT SCAMMERS/FRAUDSTERS|Tags: Anti-Scam, Catfish Fetishists, catfishism, Female Scammers, Gizmodo, Important Article, Information About Scams, Scam Addiction, SCARS, Willing Victims|

SCARS™ Psychology Of Scams: Victim Response To Fear Is Anger!

SCARS™ Psychology Of Scams: Victim Response To Fear Is Anger! After A Scam Many Victims Are In Panic And Experience Fear & Anger [lwptoc] Victims Experience Real Trauma After The Scam Is Discovered And Then Fear Sets in The panic can come from several directions: Fear caused by the realization that is was all lies Fear caused by the awareness of the risk of exposure - because of information shared with the scammer Fear caused [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2022-03-24T21:45:26-04:00May 24th, 2019|Categories: Recovery Psychology|Tags: Anger, FEAR, Hate, Imagination, Irrational, Mind, Rage, Rational Anger, Rational Fear, scam victims, scammers, Self-Awareness, TRAUMA|

How Fear Affects You After A Scam – SCARS™ Psychology of Scams

SCARS™ Psychology of Scams: How Fear Affects You After A Scam - - - - - - - If You Are Overcome By Fear And You Need Someone To Talk To Now Call This Number: Call 1-800-273-8255 Or Your Local Crisis Hotline - - - - - - - Overview: What Do Fear And Anxiety Feel Like? When you feel frightened or seriously anxious, your mind and body work very quickly. These are some of the [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2022-03-24T21:23:17-04:00March 28th, 2019|Categories: SCARS Research|Tags: After Scam Fear, Brains, Danger, FEAR, Fight or Flight Response, Health, Hormones. Science, Neuroscience, PopSci, Popular Science, Psychology of Scams|

Psychology of Scams Part 1 – SCARS|PODCAST™

Psychology of Scams Part 1 - SCARS|PODCAST™ Happy Saint Patrick's Day! To learn more about the Psychology of Scams Click Here » If you want to share this podcast, click on the link below To download a copy of this SCARS Podcast MP3 file click here » To Hear All Of Our SCARS|PODCASTS™ Click Here » - - - - - Copyright © 2019 Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Incorporated [SCARS] Third-Party Copyrights [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2022-03-24T20:30:24-04:00March 17th, 2019|Categories: SCARS Research|Tags: ASMR, Distrust, Helping Strangers, Online Fraud, Polite, Politeness, Psychology of Scams, romance scam, Rudeness, Sending Money, stranger trust, Victim Motivation|

ASMR – Using Your Brain & Body Against You – SCARS™ Psychology of Scams

SCARS™ Psychology of Scams: ASMR - Using Your Brain & Body Against You The Following Is An Summarization & Analysis Of A Scammer Manipulative Technique From SCARS|RESEARCH We encourage you to explore this topic futher. Introduction In the exploration for the psychological triggers and controls of the Romance Scam phenomena, we have looked at and discussed several different ways that scammers manipulate and control their victims. These included triggering something called an Amygdala Hijack », [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2022-03-24T21:23:18-04:00March 15th, 2019|Categories: SCARS Research|Tags: ASMR, ASMR TRIGGERS, ASMRtist, Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response, Control, Manipulation, Psychology of Scams, Scam Response Trigger, SRT, Stimuli, |

Scam Victim Surrender – Psychology of Scams [UPDATED]

Scam Victim Surrender Updated August 2022 Psychology of Scams Manipulation & Control A SCARS Insight There Comes A Point In The Scam When the Victim Just Surrenders And Sends The Money This is something that the scammers plan on as a means of exercising control over the victim. It is not so much a conscious decision as it is a giving in. Renowned authors Sanford Strong ("Strong on Defense" ») [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2022-08-07T19:40:22-04:00March 6th, 2019|Categories: Psychology of Scams, 2019, Insights, Scammer Techniques & Methods|Tags: Abandon Distrust, Control, Deception, Fooling Yourself, Manipulation, scam victims, Surrender, Trust|

Desensitizing – SCARS™ Psychology Of Scams

SCARS™ Psychology Of Scams: Desensitizing For Most Victims After The Scam Is A Very Traumatic Period NOTE: The following is not intended as a treatment or therapy guide but as a discussion of the subject matter. All decisions about mental health treatments or therapies should be made by patients in consultation with a licensed mental help professional. The trauma from the scam, romance scam specifically, will be very traumatic for an extended period of time. In [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2022-03-24T21:45:27-04:00February 18th, 2019|Categories: Recovery Psychology|Tags: Desensitization, Desensitize, Journaling, Mental Health, PTSD, Reporting, romance scam, Scam Trauma, scam victims, Story Telling, Therapy, Victims Support, |

SCARS™ Subject Focus: The Psychology Of Romance Scams

SCARS™ Subject Focus: The Psychology Of Romance Scams Romance Scams Are Infinitely Complex And Leave Victims With Significant Trauma Attention is like a spotlight, which means when it’s pointing in one direction it pretty much ignores everything else. This is how a Romance Scam starts! Except people don’t realize how little information coming in from the outside world we actually process. Naturally, you don’t notice what you don’t notice, plus the mind is [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2022-03-24T21:30:11-04:00January 20th, 2019|Categories: ♦ ABOUT SCAMMERS/FRAUDSTERS|Tags: Amygdala Hijack, Complex, Gaslighting, Psychology of Scams, PTSD, Romance Scams, Social Compliance, stranger trust, Syndromes, Trauma Bonding, Victim Syndrome, Victimization|

SCARS™ Psychology Of Scams: Chasing Your Money – A Psychological Trap

SCARS™ Psychology Of Scams: Chasing Your Money - A Psychological Trap Don’t Get Caught Chasing The Money - That Path Can Lead To Addiction A specific form of self-entrapment that some romance scam victims struggle with is the urge to chase their losses. This is a syndrome very common to gamblers too! Chasing losses simply mean trying to win back the money you’ve already lost by gambling more. In the case of romance scam victims, [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2022-03-24T21:23:20-04:00January 1st, 2019|Categories: SCARS Research|Tags: Addicted, Addiction, Chasing Money, Gambling, romance scam, Scam Losses, Scam Victim, TAGS: Psycholog of Scams, Victim Behavior, , Addictogenic|

Psychology Of Scams: Trauma Bonding

Psychology Of Scams: Trauma Bonding The Intensity of the scam Relationship Can Create Strong Bonds! How Victims Become Bonded To Their Scammers People Often Stay In Abusive Relationships Because Of Something Called 'Trauma Bonding' Originally published by: Lindsay Dodgson - Aug. 17, 2017 - BusinessInsider.com 'Trauma Bonding' — Here Are The Signs It'S Happening To You SCARS EDITOR'S NOTE: THIS APPLIES TO SCAM VICTIMS JUST AS IT DOES TO LOCAL [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2022-03-24T21:45:33-04:00November 25th, 2018|Categories: Recovery Psychology|Tags: Abusive Relationships, Gaslighting, Psychology of Scams, Romance Scams, Trauma Bonding|

Cognitive Distortions – The Psychology Of Romance Scams [Updated]

Cognitive Distortions The Psychology Of Scams A SCARS Insight What Is A Cognitive Distortion? A cognitive distortion is an exaggerated or irrational thought pattern involved in the onset and perpetuation of psychopathological states, especially those more influenced by psychosocial factors, such as depression and anxiety, or in this case a psychological manipulation for the purposes of crime. Psychiatrist Aaron T. Beck laid the groundwork for the study of these distortions in 1976, when he first proposed the [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2022-06-20T13:25:10-04:00August 30th, 2018|Categories: Psychology of Scams, 2018, Insights|Tags: Cognitive Distortions, Fallacy of Fairness, Jumping to Conclusions, Overgeneralization, Personalization, Psychology Of Romance Scams|

The Face In The Photo Is NOT Responsible – SCARS™ Psychology of Scams

SCARS™ Psychology of Scams: The Face In The Photo Is NOT Responsible Many Times After A Scam, Victims Are Unable To Accept That The Person In The Photo Is Not The Real Scammer! Today we received a complaint from a romance scam victim who blamed a person who had his photos stolen by scammers. Her argument was that HE HAD A RESPONSIBILITY to explain himself to those who lost money. She even believes he was the [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2022-03-24T21:45:41-04:00August 7th, 2018|Categories: Recovery Psychology|Tags: Blaming The Face In The Photo, Defaming Real Victims, Delusions About Stolen Photos, Fake Profiles & Impersonations, Impersonation Victims Are Not Responsible, Living in denial|

RSN™ Psychology Of Scams: Stop Thinking

Stop Thinking And Just Let Things Happen This is a bit of a conflict. You need your brain in gear when dealing with scammers, but you need to stop overthinking about what happened. Rely more on instincts. If you are honest with yourself, your instincts probably told you something was wrong with the scammer long before you let yourself accept it because you were overthinking - meaning your thought processes could not accept what your [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2022-03-24T21:43:02-04:00July 9th, 2018|Categories: Scam Victim Recovery|Tags: overrule your instincts, Rely more on instincts, Romance Scam Victim, Scam Victim, Stop Thinking, your better self|

Psychology of Scams: The Trauma of Victimization

SCARS™ Psychology of Scams: The Trauma of Victimization Provided by the National Center for Victims of Crimes SCARS is registered with the NCVC as an online crime victims’ assistance and support organization Overview The trauma of victimization is a direct reaction to the aftermath of crime. Crime victims suffer a tremendous amount of physical and psychological trauma. The primary injuries victims suffer can be grouped into three distinct categories: physical, financial and emotional. When victims do [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2022-03-24T21:30:17-04:00July 7th, 2018|Categories: ♦ ABOUT SCAMMERS/FRAUDSTERS|Tags: aftermath of crime, Coping, NCVC, SCARS, Society of Citizens Against Romance Scams, support organization, The National Center for Victims of Crimes, trauma of victimization, VictimConnect, Victims Assistance|

SCARS Institute Disclaimers & Advisories

SCARS Institute Disclaimers & Advisories The following are official SCARS Institute – Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. disclaimers, notices, and advisories. Psychology Clarification The following specific modalities within the practice of psychology are restricted to psychologists appropriately trained in the use of such modalities: Diagnosis: The diagnosis of mental, emotional, or brain disorders and related behaviors. Psychoanalysis: Psychoanalysis is a type of therapy that focuses on helping individuals to understand and resolve [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2026-10-09T01:11:28-04:00October 9th, 2026|

Even Smart People Get Scammed – You Are In Good Company – 2026

Even Smart People Get Scammed - You Are In Good Company It Was Not Your Fault - Even the Smartest People Can Be Scammed History of Scams & Fraud - A SCARS Institute Insight Author: • SCARS Institute Encyclopedia of Scams Editorial Team - Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. Article Abstract Scam victimization does not indicate low intelligence, poor judgment, or weakness. [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2026-09-19T07:42:06-04:00September 19th, 2026|Categories: ♦ BRIEF HISTORY OF SCAMS, 2026, History of Scams, Insights, NORTH AMERICA SCAMS & SCAMMERS, Real Reported Scammers, ♦ ENCYCLOPEDIA OF SCAMS, ♦ SCAM BASICS, ♦ SCAMPEDIA: CATALOG OF SCAMS, ♦ VICTIM'S STORIES|

SCARS Institute RomanceScamsNOW.com Reader Rewards System Guide

SCARS Reader Rewards System Guide How to use your reader account, reading badges, the master article lists, and the weekly newsletter on SCARS Institute websites. This guide is for readers. It explains what each feature does and how to use it. Everything described here is free. NOTE: Each of the four main SCARS Institute websites (AgainstScams.org • ScamPsychology.org • ScamsNOW.com • RomanceScamsNOW.com) has separate reader reward systems. To use the full capability of each, [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2026-10-15T17:55:36-04:00September 18th, 2026|

SCARS Institute Guide – Takedown Fake Websites & Fake Profiles – 2026

SCARS Institute Guide - Takedown Fake Websites & Fake Profiles Fake Website and Social Media Takedown Guide How to get a scam website or an impostor social media account removed, step by step How To Report - A SCARS Institute Insight Authors: • SCARS Institute Encyclopedia of Scams Editorial Team - Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. Article Abstract Fake websites and [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2026-09-14T01:02:21-04:00September 14th, 2026|Categories: ♦ SCAM WARNINGS & ALERTS, 2026, Guides, How To Report Scams & Scammers, Reporting Stolen Photos, ♦ ENCYCLOPEDIA OF SCAMS, ♦ SCAMPEDIA: CATALOG OF SCAMS, ♦ SCARS TOOLBOX|

The SCARS Institute Relationship Scams Formula Checklist – 2026

The SCARS Institute Relationship Scams Formula Checklist This is the Formula that all Relationship Scams Follow 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 Relationship scams follow a recurring psychological structure in [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2026-08-19T10:47:28-04:00August 19th, 2026|Categories: CRIME TYPOLOGY OVERVIEW, 2026, Insights, Investment Scams, Psychology of Scams, Romance Scams & Relationship Scams, SELF-ASSESSMENT TESTS, ♦ ENCYCLOPEDIA OF SCAMS, ♦ HOW SCAMS WORK, ♦ NEW SCAM VICTIMS, ♦ SCAM BASICS, ♦ SCAMPEDIA: CATALOG OF SCAMS, ♦ SCARS TOOLBOX, ♦ SPOTING SCAMS - ANTI-SCAM TIPS CLUES & RED FLAGS|

Updated Analysis of West African Scammers – 2026

Updated Analysis of West African Scammers Beyond Poverty and Boredom: Understanding the Motivations of West African Romance Scammers Criminology - A SCARS Institute Insight 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 Research, field observations, and criminological analysis increasingly indicate that many West African romance scammers [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2026-06-03T03:35:44-04:00June 3rd, 2026|Categories: CRIME TYPOLOGY OVERVIEW, 2026, AFRICAN SCAMS & SCAMMERS, Analytics & Information, Culture Of Scamming, Cybercrime Analysis, Insights, SCARS Research, ♦ CRIMINOLOGY / VICTIMOLOGY, ♦ CYBERCRIMINAL PROFILES, ♦ ENCYCLOPEDIA OF SCAMS, ♦ HOW SCAMMERS OPERATE, ♦ SCAMPEDIA: CATALOG OF SCAMS|

The Persistence of Danielle Delaunay as a Fake Identity – 2026

The Persistence of Danielle Delaunay as a Fake Identity The Enduring Digital Phantom: Why Danielle Delaunay Remains the Scammer's Favorite Identity Nearly 20 Years Later How Scams Work - A SCARS Institute Insight Authors: • SCARS Institute Encyclopedia of Scams Editorial Team - Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. See Author Biographies Below Article Abstract The Danielle Delaunay identity has become a [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2026-06-02T14:33:20-04:00June 2nd, 2026|Categories: ♦ HOW SCAMS WORK, 2026, Impersonation & Identity Theft Scams, Insights, Romance Scams & Relationship Scams, Scammer Techniques & Methods, WARNINGS, • ROMANCE IMPOSTER SCAM, ♦ ENCYCLOPEDIA OF SCAMS, ♦ HOW SCAMMERS OPERATE, ♦ IMPERSONATION GALLERIES, ♦ PSYCHOLOGY OF SCAMS, ♦ SCAM WARNINGS & ALERTS, ♦ SPOTING SCAMS - ANTI-SCAM TIPS CLUES & RED FLAGS|

Revictimization – A High Risk for Existing Scam Victims – 2026

Revictimization - A High Risk for Existing Scam Victims The Paradox of Vulnerability: Why Scam Survivors Face Heightened Risk of Revictimization The Psychology of Scams - A SCARS Institute Insight 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 Scam survivors face an increased risk [...]

Email / Phishing Scams Detection Training Tool – 2026

[raw] Recognising Scam Emails — SCARS Institute Recognising Scam Emails SCARS Institute · Re-Victimisation Prevention Training Would You Spot These Emails? Email remains the most common delivery mechanism for scams, fraud, and malware. This training takes you through six realistic scam emails — each one representing a different deception technique used by criminals every day. You will see the email exactly as it would appear in your inbox, uncover what is actually happening, and test [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2026-04-21T19:42:45-04:00April 21st, 2026|Categories: SELF-ASSESSMENT TESTS, 2026, Email & Phishing Scams, Social Engineering, Spotting Scammers, ♦ ENCYCLOPEDIA OF SCAMS, ♦ HOW SCAMMERS OPERATE, ♦ HOW SCAMS WORK, ♦ SCAM BASICS, ♦ SCAM WARNINGS & ALERTS, ♦ SCAMPEDIA: CATALOG OF SCAMS, ♦ SCARS TOOLBOX|

Romance Scams Detection Training Tool – 2026

[raw] Recognising AI Romance Scams — SCARS Institute Recognising AI Romance Scams SCARS Institute · Re-Victimisation Prevention Training Can You See What Is Happening? This training is designed for people who have experienced a scam and want to protect themselves from being scammed again. You will read through a realistic conversation between a fictional victim and an AI-powered scammer — the kind of AI that is being used right now in real romance scam operations [...]

SCARS Institute Editorial Team2026-04-20T23:38:36-04:00April 20th, 2026|Categories: SELF-ASSESSMENT TESTS, 2026, Resources, Romance Scams & Relationship Scams, Spotting Scammers, ♦ ENCYCLOPEDIA OF SCAMS, ♦ HOW SCAMMERS OPERATE, ♦ HOW SCAMS WORK, ♦ SCAM BASICS, ♦ SCAMPEDIA: CATALOG OF SCAMS, ♦ SCARS TOOLBOX|

AI-Artificial Intelligences is Smart Enough to Manipulate Better than Scammers – 2026

AI-Artificial Intelligence is Smart Enough to Manipulate Better than Scammers Are AIs Already Better at Manipulating Humans Than Humans Are? Yes, They Are! Artificial Intelligence - A SCARS Institute Insight Authors: • xAI Grok & ChatGPT • 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 Artificial [...]

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