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SCARS Institute West Africa Project with GISF CyberLaw Academy Series for Criminal Justice Professionals at Ghana UENR – 2024

SCARS Institute West Africa Project in Ghana – August 2024

With the help of GISF CyberLaw Academy Series for Criminal Justice Professionals at Ghana UENR

Primary Category: Advocacy and Policy

Authors:
•  SCARS Editorial Team – Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
•  Portions from Modern Ghana

About This Article

The SCARS Institute’s West Africa Project, in collaboration with the Ghana Internet Safety Foundation (GISF), hosted a two-day CyberLaw Academy event in Sunyani to strengthen cybersecurity and justice for victims of cybercrime, including Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM).

The event brought together law enforcement, state prosecutors, and industry leaders to discuss strategies for combating cybercrime and equipping professionals with the skills needed for effective prosecution.

The event highlighted the importance of digital evidence and collaborative efforts, empowering participants with knowledge on applying Ghana’s Cybersecurity and Electronic Transactions Acts in court. The event emphasized justice for victims and building a resilient digital future in Ghana.

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2024-09-18T15:37:47-04:00• ADVOCACY / POLICY, • CRIMINAL JUSTICE, • CRIMINOLOGY, GHANA, SCARS Institute Editorial Team|
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Understanding Criminality – What Is Its Essence? 2023

Criminality – What Is Its Essence?

Author:
• Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

Understanding the Essence of Criminality is Very Difficult For Victims!

The essence of criminality involves engaging in actions or behaviors that are prohibited by law and deemed harmful to individuals, communities, or society as a whole.

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2023-10-29T13:09:52-04:00Uncategorized|
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Major Offensive Against African Black Axe Criminal Cartel By Irish Garda Police

Major Offensive Against African Black Axe Criminal Cartel By Irish Garda Police

By SCARS Editorial Team, portions by: Garda, Irish Times

Taking On The African/Nigerian Black Axe Gang!

Irish Garda Plays A Key Role In Taking Them On

A major Garda Síochána enforcement action was conducted in conjunction with INTERPOL and Law Enforcement Agencies across 21 countries around the world under Operation JACKAL. Closing ranks on West African organized crime: more than EUR 2 million seized in Operation Jackal

In the most recent series of actions Gardaí identify almost 1,000 people with Irish addresses linked to the sinister operation which also funds terror

Previous 2023 Garda Actions Against Black Axe:

  • 3 premises were searched in Dublin, Wicklow, and Longford
  • 9 persons were arrested and detained under Organised Crime legislation
  • 4 Persons were arrested and detained for money laundering offenses
  • 33 persons were arrested and charged with money laundering
  • 1 person was arrested and charged with gangland offenses and money laundering
  • 9 incidents of stolen money recovered from foreign bank accounts
  • Over €400,000 of stolen monies was recovered from Irish companies.

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2023-08-15T14:29:56-04:00Uncategorized|
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Criminal Dominion: The Political Power of Crime and the State’s Role in Perpetual Victimhood – An Essay – 2025

Criminal Dominion: The Political Power of Crime and the State’s Role in Perpetual Victimhood – An Essay

Crime as an Act of Political Power: Criminals, Victims, and the Complicity of Politicians

Primary Category: Sociology & Political Science // Editorial

Intended Audience: General Public

Author:
•  Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

About This Article

An Essay: Crime is an act of political power, where criminals assert dominance over victims, reshaping social hierarchies through coercion, as Mark Haugaard notes, defining power as “dominating.” From street gangs to cybercriminals, offenders govern—levying taxes, enforcing rules, or exploiting digital vulnerabilities—often more effectively than the state, per Ana Arjona’s findings. Victims, stripped of agency, retreat into “low-intensity citizenship,” as Sabrina Karim observes, their subjugation deepened by violence’s productive nature, per Stathis Kalyvas.

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2025-03-19T01:48:21-04:00• SOCIOLOGY / POLITICAL SCIENCE, • ADVOCACY / POLICY, • CRIMES & CRIMINALS, • CRIMINOLOGY, • FEATURED ARTICLE, 2025, EDITORIAL / COMMENTARY, Tim McGuinness PhD|
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DARVO – Projection and the Criminal Mindset – Why the Corrupt Blame the Victims – 2025

Projection and the Criminal Mindset – Why the Corrupt Blame the Victims

It is Very Common for Criminals and the Corrupt to Blame the People that they Victimized, and Make Themselves Out to Be the Victims! This Technique is Known as DARVO!

Primary Category: Psychology of Scams

Intended Audience: Scam Victims-Survivors / Family & Friends / General Public / Others

Author:
•  Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

About This Article

Criminals and corrupt individuals often engage in psychological manipulation tactics, most notably DARVO—Deny, Attack, and Reverse Victim and Offender—to evade accountability and shift blame onto their victims. This behavior is rooted in psychological projection, a defense mechanism where wrongdoers attribute their own immoral actions to others to maintain a sense of innocence.

By accusing victims of being at fault, perpetrators create confusion, manipulate public perception, and avoid legal or social consequences. Jordan B. Peterson has explored these tendencies, emphasizing that many offenders lack self-awareness, rationalize their behavior, and genuinely believe in the guilt of their victims. This cognitive distortion allows them to escape internal moral conflict, reinforcing their criminal actions.

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2025-03-02T00:31:07-05:00• PSYCHOLOGY, • FEATURED ARTICLE, • FOR SCAM VICTIMS, 2025, ARTICLE, Tim McGuinness PhD|
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Continuing Communicating with the Scammers Part 2 – Stop That! – 2024

Continuing Communicating with the Scammers Part 2 – Stop That

Making the Case Why Continuing to Talk to Scammers After Discovery is a Bad Idea – Morally, Ethically, and Psychologically for Scam Victims

Part 2 : Part 1

Primary Category: Psychology of Scams

Author:
•  Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

About This Article

Continuing to communicate with scammers after discovering their deception poses significant risks that extend far beyond the initial scam. This article delves into the psychological, ethical, and practical implications of such engagement, emphasizing the harm it causes to victims and the broader societal impact. Victims may believe they are regaining control or seeking closure, but prolonged interaction often deepens emotional entanglement, erodes critical thinking, and reinforces trauma. Furthermore, continuing to engage with scammers can inadvertently enable their operations by providing feedback that helps refine their tactics, posing risks to future victims.

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2024-11-16T06:32:08-05:00• DO IT YOURSELF RECOVERY, • FEATURED ARTICLE, • FOR SCAM VICTIMS, • PSYCHOLOGY, • VICTIM'S STORY, 2024, ARTICLE, Tim McGuinness PhD|
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A Compassionate Perspective on Justice – a SCARS Institute Editorial – 2024

A Compassionate Perspective on Justice – a SCARS Institute Editorial

A Compassionate Perspective on Criminal Justice and Recovery for Scam Victims

Primary Category: Editorial and Commentary

Author:
•  Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

About This Article

The SCARS Institute offers a compassionate perspective on justice for scam victims, emphasizing that while accountability is essential, true justice should focus on restoring balance, not celebrating punishment. Victims face immense emotional and financial harm from scams, and seeing perpetrators arrested can bring relief. However, SCARS encourages victims to view arrests not as joyous events but as complex situations with broader societal implications.

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2024-10-30T19:54:26-04:00• CRIMINAL JUSTICE, • ADVOCACY / POLICY, • CRIMES & CRIMINALS, • CRIMINOLOGY, 2024, EDITORIAL / COMMENTARY, GHANA, NIGERIA, Tim McGuinness PhD|
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Replacing the UK’s Action Fraud City of London Police for Inaction Against Scams – 2024

Replacing the UK’s Action Fraud for Inaction Against Scams

Reviewing the Progress Made in the UK to Replace the City of London Police’s Action Fraud

Primary Category with link to search

Authors:
•  SCARS Editorial Team – Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
•  Alexander Martin, The Record

Replacement for the City of London’s Action Fraud, UK’s Scam, Fraud, and Cybercrime Reporting Service, delayed again until 2025

According to the Record – being reprinted in the public interest – source link above

Action Fraud

The launch date for the repeatedly delayed replacement service for Action Fraud, the much-criticized reporting center for fraud and financially motivated cybercrime in Britain, has again been pushed back, a senior police officer has confirmed to Recorded Future News.

The likely date will be sometime in the spring of 2025, according to Nik Adams, the temporary assistant commissioner at the City of London Police.

In its current form Action Fraud, which is run by the City of London Police, has been described as “not fit for purpose” by the House of Commons Justice Committee amid a surge in the levels of that crime affecting people across the country.

The Public Accounts Committee stated it was “seriously concerned that the failures of Action Fraud in supporting victims of fraud has earned it the nickname ‘Inaction Fraud,’” and echoed the Justice Committee’s findings that the levels of fraud were being driven by shortcomings across the whole of the criminal justice system.

A replacement service aiming to provide more intelligence Read More …

2024-09-08T10:36:58-04:00• CRIMINAL JUSTICE, • GOVERNMENT / REGULATORY, 2024, GUEST AUTHORS, NEWS, SCARS Institute Editorial Team, UK|
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Defeatism and its Impact on Scam Victims and Law Enforcement – 2024

Defeatism and its Impact on Law Enforcement and Scam Victims

How Defeatism Undermines Individual and Collective Efforts in the Fight Against Scams and Impacts Global Law Enforcement and Justice Systems

Primary Category: Psychology of Scams

Author:
•  Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

About This Article

Defeatism is a mindset where individuals or groups believe that failure is inevitable, leading to a lack of effort and a self-fulfilling prophecy of failure. This attitude can spread through society, hindering collective efforts to address significant challenges, such as combatting scams.

In global law enforcement and the justice system, defeatism can result in reduced motivation to pursue criminals, limited international cooperation, and insufficient resources dedicated to fighting scams.

For scam victims, defeatism manifests as a sense of hopelessness, inaction, and resignation, making it difficult for them to recover or seek justice.

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2024-08-27T01:48:51-04:00• PSYCHOLOGY, • FEATURED ARTICLE, 2024, ARTICLE, Tim McGuinness PhD|
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In Scams – It’s About the Criminal, Not About You the Scam Victim – 2024

In Trust-Based Relationship Scams – It’s About the Criminal, Not About You the Scam Victim

It is Hard for Scam Victims to Understand that the Crime had Nothing to do with Them! It was just a Business Transaction for the Criminals!

Primary Category: Victimology

Authors:
•  Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

About This Article

Scam victims often feel deeply betrayed and hurt, believing the scam was a personal attack on their emotions and intentions. However, it’s crucial to understand that relationship scams, whether involving romance, cryptocurrency investments, or other variants, are impersonal crimes driven by the scammer’s sole objective: financial gain.

Scammers operate with a cold detachment, seeing victims as targets rather than individuals, and they often run multiple scams simultaneously, using fake personas to manipulate emotions. Recognizing that the scam was not personal allows victims to separate their emotions from the crime, helping them to focus on recovery and self-protection rather than internalizing blame.

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2024-08-22T15:46:41-04:00• PSYCHOLOGY, • FEATURED ARTICLE, • FOR SCAM VICTIMS, • VICTIMOLOGY, 2024, ARTICLE, Tim McGuinness PhD|
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UNODC: Southeast Asian Cyberfraud Organizations Deploying New Technology – 2024

UNODC: Southeast Asian Cyberfraud Organizations Deploying New Technology

United Nations Issues Warning About Expanding Organized Crime

Primary Category: Organized Crime

Authors:
•  SCARS Editorial Team – Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
•  United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime

About This Article

Industrial-scale cyberfraud operations in Southeast Asia are evolving rapidly due to technological advancements and the increasing professionalization of transnational criminal networks. These operations, often linked to sophisticated underground banking and money laundering organizations, are outpacing governmental efforts to contain them.

A recent UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) meeting highlighted the urgency of addressing this threat, which includes hundreds of scam centers and thousands of trafficked individuals working in illicit industries. Countries like the Philippines have banned certain gambling sectors to curb these activities. Despite efforts to dismantle cyber-enabled fraud operations, organized crime groups are diversifying and moving into more remote areas, utilizing deepfakes and malware.

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2024-08-06T13:12:17-04:00• CRIMES & CRIMINALS, 2024, ARTICLE, SCARS Institute Editorial Team, SOUTHEAST ASIA, United Nations|
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What Is Justice For A Scam Victim? 2024

What does Justice Mean to Scam Victims?

Justice can sometimes be elusive but for Scam Victims it seems like it is Impossible! But it is Possible!

Primary Category: Scam Victim Recovery

Author:
•  Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

About This Article

Justice for scam victims can feel elusive, as the chances of recovering lost money or seeing perpetrators arrested are slim. Instead, the best way for victims to achieve a sense of justice is by shifting their focus inward, prioritizing their own needs and recovery.

Personal healing becomes paramount in the face of financial and legal setbacks. Through professional counseling, joining support groups, and engaging in self-care, victims can regain control over their lives.

This approach empowers them to rebuild their sense of self-worth, move past the trauma, and find a renewed sense of stability and resilience, ultimately achieving a form of justice centered on their well-being.

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2024-07-18T21:03:51-04:00• FOR SCAM VICTIMS, • FEATURED ARTICLE, • PSYCHOLOGY, 2024, ARTICLE, Tim McGuinness PhD|
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INTERPOL Operation Jackal III Arrests More Than 300 Scammers – 2024

INTERPOL Operation Jackal III Arrests More Than 300 Scammers

Major Interpol Led Operation Targets ‘Black Axe’ and Other Organized Crime Groups

Primary Category: Criminal Justice

Authors:
•  SCARS Editorial Team – Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
•  INTERPOL

About This Article

A global law enforcement operation, Operation Jackal III, targeted West African organized crime groups, including Black Axe, resulting in 300 arrests and the seizure of USD 3 million in assets.

Running from April 10 to July 3, 2024, across 21 countries, the operation focused on combating online financial fraud and dismantling criminal networks. Over 400 suspects were identified, and over 720 bank accounts were blocked.

The operation highlighted the critical need for international collaboration in addressing the alarming rise in financial fraud stemming from West Africa.

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2024-07-16T12:21:23-04:00• CRIMINAL JUSTICE, • CRIMES & CRIMINALS, 2024, INTERPOL, NEWS, SCARS Institute Editorial Team, WORLDWIDE|
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5 Bulgarian Fraudsters Convicted In The UK – 2024

5 Bulgarian Fraudsters Convicted In The UK

Fraud on a Massive Factory Scale

Primary Category: Criminal Justice

Authors:
•  SCARS Editorial Team – Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
•  Portions by Daily Mail

About This Article

Five Bulgarian fraudsters who defrauded the UK’s Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) of £54 million have been jailed for over 25 years. The gang hijacked 6,000 identities to claim Universal Credit, using children’s names from Bulgaria.

They operated three ‘benefit factories’ in London, producing fake tenancy agreements, payslips, and letters to trick the DWP. The group flaunted their wealth on social media, with photos showing them at Antonia’s Foods supermarket in Wood Green. Ringleader Galina Nikolova, 38, was sentenced to eight years for her key role in the scam, which Judge David Aaronberg described as being conducted on an ‘industrial scale’. Stoyan Stoyanov, 27, received four years, while Gyunesh Ali, 33, was jailed for seven years and three months. Tsvetka Todorova, 52, and Patritsia Paneva, 26, received three years each.

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2024-06-03T10:26:37-04:00• CRIMINAL JUSTICE, • CRIMES & CRIMINALS, 2024, Additional Authors, NEWS, SCARS Institute Editorial Team, UK|
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Major European Money Laundering/Money Mule Services Operation Shut Down By Europol – 2024

Major European Money Laundering/Money Mule Services Operation Shut Down By Europol

Primary Category: Criminal Justice

Authors:
•  SCARS Editorial Team – Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
•  Europol

About This Article

Europol, alongside Italian and Portuguese authorities, spearheaded a major crackdown on money mule service providers laundering over EUR 10 million for a criminal organization behind cryptocurrency scams.

Supported by law enforcement from Austria, France, Germany, Romania, Spain, and Switzerland, the operation involved raids in France, Italy, and Romania, resulting in 11 detentions, including the scheme’s mastermind, and the seizure of electronic devices, jewelry, and cryptocurrencies.

The scam targeted millionaires through sophisticated rip-deal scams, utilizing cryptocurrencies. Europol and Eurojust provided critical support, facilitating information exchange and forensic assistance, while Europol’s #DontBeaMule campaign aims to prevent money mule activities across the EU.

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2024-06-02T22:07:53-04:00• CRIMINAL JUSTICE, • CRIMES & CRIMINALS, 2024, EUROPE, EUROPOL, NEWS, SCARS Institute Editorial Team|
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Pokémon Card Scammers Arrested By FBI – 2024

Pokémon Card Scammers Arrested By FBI

The FBI has arrested Anthony Curcio and Iosif Bondarchuk for operating a nationwide scam involving sports and Pokémon trading cards.

Primary Category: Criminal Justice

Authors:
•  SCARS Editorial Team – Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
•  Federal Bureau of Investigation

About This Article

The FBI has arrested Anthony Curcio and Iosif Bondarchuk for operating a nationwide scam involving sports and Pokémon trading cards. Charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud, the duo allegedly manipulated the market by misrepresenting low-to-mid grade cards as high-grade, authenticated by a reputable grading company, causing victims to overpay and resulting in over $2 million in fraudulent sales.

The scheme, which spanned from 2022 to May 2024, involved selling cards with falsified grades through online marketplaces and in-person venues. Curcio and Bondarchuk used fake identities to conceal their involvement, even after victims confronted them.

The case highlights the FBI’s commitment to combating fraud and protecting consumers in the collectibles market.

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2024-06-01T06:52:08-04:00• CRIMES & CRIMINALS, • CRIMINAL JUSTICE, 2024, NEWS, SCARS Institute Editorial Team, U.S. Department of Justice, USA|
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UK Government: Social and Psychological Implications of Fraud – 2024

UK Government: Social and Psychological Implications of Fraud

Psychology of Scams

Authors:
•  UK Parliament – Government of the United Kingdom
•  SCARS Editorial Team – Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

About This Article

Fraud poses a significant threat to the UK, with 4 in 10 offences targeting individuals. The government’s 2023 Fraud Strategy aims to combat this, emphasizing victim support and prevention.

While stereotypes of elderly victims persist, fraud risks vary due to psychological and social factors. Beyond financial loss, fraud inflicts emotional and psychological harm.

Victims often report fraud to banks rather than authorities. Effective prevention strategies involve education and enhanced victim care. This POSTnote underscores the multifaceted nature of fraud and the need for comprehensive, collaborative approaches to mitigate its impact on individuals in England and Wales.

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2024-05-01T12:28:21-04:00• PSYCHOLOGY, • GOVERNMENT / REGULATORY, • SCAM VICTIM HEALTH, 2024, ARTICLE, DOCUMENT / PDF, SCARS Institute Editorial Team, UK, UK Government|
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The Uniqueness Of Scam Victims Or Fraud Victims – 2024

The Uniqueness Of Scam Victims Or Fraud Victims

Why Scam Victims are different than other type of Crime Victims

Authors:
•  Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

About This Article

Scam victims, distinct from other crime victims, face unique challenges spanning psychological, financial, educational, technological, and social realms.

Manipulated over extended periods, they endure deep emotional turmoil, including betrayal and shame. Financially, they suffer massive losses, often leading to homelessness and credit damage. Their vulnerability stems from a knowledge gap, as scams exploit intricate tactics victims fail to recognize.

Perpetrators wield sophisticated methods like grooming and coercion, further complicating victims’ recovery. Despite technological complexities and stigma, law enforcement often lacks adequate training, exacerbating victims’ struggles for justice.

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2024-03-21T20:01:06-04:00• VICTIMOLOGY, 2024, ARTICLE, Tim McGuinness PhD|
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Nigerian Scammer Justice: Why We MUST Extradite – Guest Editorial – 2023

Nigerian Scammer Justice: Why We MUST Extradite

A Nigerian Scammer Comparison of Criminal Justice

A Guest Editorial

Author:
• Gary Warner, UAB Computer Forensics / DarkTower Threat Intelligence

Why Extradition Of Nigerian Scammers Is So Important? Because Nigeria’s EFCC Lets Them Off With A Slap On The Hand!

Meet Osondu Victor IGWILO, a Nigerian Scammer

In 2018, the FBI Houston office charged IGWILO with being the “Chairman” of a scheme where IGWILO and his team would send emails claiming to be BB&T Bank Executives and executing various “advance-fee schemes” including investment scams and inheritance scams.

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2023-12-18T21:41:36-05:00• CRIMINAL JUSTICE, 2023, EDITORIAL / COMMENTARY, Gary Warner, GUEST AUTHORS, NIGERIA|
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Irish Criminal Assets Bureau – Deny And Deprive Criminals Of Assets Acquired Through Criminal Conduct – 2023

Irish Criminal Assets Bureau – Deny And Deprive Criminals Of Assets Acquired Through Criminal Conduct

Author:
•  SCARS Editorial Team – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

The Irish Criminal Assets Bureau – Establishing A Perfect Model To Disrupt Transnational Scammers & Cybercriminals Worldwide

Irish Criminal Assets Bureau: Seize • Tax • Recover

Under the Proceeds of Crime Act, 1996 to 2016 the Criminal Assets Bureau can freeze and seize assets which it shows to the Irish High Court are the proceeds of criminal conduct. This is done on the civil standard of proof which is known internationally as non-Conviction Based Forfeiture. Because Ireland is a part of the European Union, this gives them certain authority across Europe as well.

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2023-12-11T02:46:48-05:00SCARS Institute Editorial Team, • CRIMINAL JUSTICE, 2023, ARTICLE, IRELAND|
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Mule Addresses

Mule Addresses

By David Maimon, Professor of Criminal Justice and Criminology, Georgia State University and Saba Aslanzadeh, PhD Student in in Computer Science, Georgia State University

What Are ‘Mule Addresses’? Criminologists Explain How Vacant Properties Serve As Depots For Illegal Online Purchases

Online shopping isn’t just a convenient way to buy batteries, diapers, computers, and other stuff without going to a brick-and-mortar store.

Many Americans also use the internet to quietly acquire illegal, fake, and stolen items. Guns, prescription drugs no doctor has ordered and checks are on this long list, as well as cloned credit cards, counterfeit passports, and phony driver’s licenses.

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2023-09-21T06:49:37-04:00Uncategorized|
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Cybercriminal Mole – UK Police Arrest One Of Their Own!

Cybercriminal Mole – UK Police Arrest One Of Their Own!

By U.K. National Crime Agency (NCA) and SCARS Editorial Team

Operation Venetic: Corrupt Police Worker Admits Tipping-Off Criminal Over Secret Nationwide Investigation

A corrupt police employee illegally accessed sensitive information and tipped off a criminal friend about a massive, secret investigation into serious and organized crime.

SCARS Note: It is estimated that organized crime has infiltrated nearly every police jurisdiction in the UK and throughout Europe!

UK Police Officer Arrested

Natalie Mottram, 24, from Warrington, was employed by Cheshire Police but was on secondment and working as an intelligence analyst at the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU) when she was arrested by National Crime Agency officers on 12 June 2020.

She was arrested as part of Operation Venetic – the NCA-led UK response to the takedown of the encrypted communications platform EncroChat.

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2023-08-25T18:11:13-04:00Uncategorized|
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Cybercriminals Operating Major Ransomware Hosting Service Arrested In Poland

Cybercriminals Operating Major Ransomware Hosting Service Arrested In Poland

By SCARS Editorial Team – Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc., portions Department of Justice and Europol

Cybercriminals Running ‘Bulletproof’ Webhosting Domain Charged in Connection with Facilitation of ‘NetWalker’ Ransomware

U.S. Authorities, along with Europol Announce Court-Authorized Seizure of LolekHosted.net

5 European cybercriminals were also arrested!

An indictment was unsealed yesterday in Tampa, Florida, USA charging a Polish national with computer fraud conspiracy, wire fraud conspiracy, and international money laundering in connection with the provision of “bulletproof” web hosting services that facilitated the operation of ransomware attacks and the subsequent laundering of the illicit proceeds.

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2023-08-13T06:12:09-04:00Uncategorized|
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Scam Victim Commits Crimes For Their Scammers

Scam Victim Commits Crimes For Their Scammers

By SCARS Editorial Team – Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

A Japanese Scam Victim Embezzled Millions From Her Employer!

Why did this romance scam victim embezzle?! Simply, she was under the control of criminals; it’s nothing more complicated than that!

Nisshin’s a 66-year-old woman and scam victim was suspected of embezzling 10 million yen (USD$71,613 dollars) from her employer!

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2023-07-19T21:00:29-04:00Uncategorized|
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55 Scammers Arrested – Nigerians Execute A Major Raid

55 Scammers Arrested – Nigerians Execute A Major Raid

By SCARS Editorial Team – Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc., portions EFCC

55 Scammers Arrested In Massive Raids In Nigeria

The Scammers Arrested Include Ex-Convict Scammers Returning To Crime

According to the EFCC, they executed a major raid with 55 scammers arrested, Seized 7 Cars, 79 Phones:

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2023-07-19T21:01:22-04:00Uncategorized|
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Changes In A Scam Victim’s Life

Changes In A Scam Victim’s Life

By Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

After A Scam Or Crime Is Over, Its Victims Are Left To Figure Out How To Go Forward And What Changes Need To Be Made In Their Life!

Scam victim changes come at every stage of the post-crime recovery. They vary from stage to stage as the person goes from being a victim to a survivor to a thrive! At each stage, different changes are needed both for safety and to allow emotional and psychological recovery.

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2023-07-11T17:45:30-04:00Uncategorized|
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Social Media Prohibition!

Social Media Prohibition!

By SCARS Editorial Team – Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

A Major Blow To The Biden Administration’s Attempts To Control Social Media

The Attorney Generals for Louisiana and Missouri have filed a lawsuit alleging that the federal government is unlawfully censoring conservative viewpoints in violation of the First Amendment.

A federal judge, Terry A. Doughty, has ruled that several Biden administration officials are prohibited from contacting social media companies regarding the moderation of posts protected by the First Amendment.

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2023-07-06T00:29:02-04:00Uncategorized|
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The Science Of Victimology – What Is It?

The Science of Victimology – What Is It?

Understanding how the Victim Experience, Vulnerabilities, and Psychology are Studied

Primary Category: Scam Psychology

Author:
•  Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

About This Article

Victimology, pronounced vic·tim·ol·o·gy, is the scientific study of crime victims and the psychological impacts of their experiences. As a branch of criminology and an aspect of sociology, psychology, and social anthropology, victimology examines the relationship between victims and offenders, exploring the causes, characteristics, and consequences of victimization.

Victimologists use the scientific method to research victimization, the criminal justice system’s response, and societal roles in prevention and support. Key figures in the field include Benjamin Mendelsohn and Hans von Hentig.

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2024-07-02T13:22:34-04:00• VICTIMOLOGY, • PSYCHOLOGY, 2023, ARTICLE, Tim McGuinness PhD|
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The Importance Of Taxonomies In Understanding Scams Fraud & Cybercrimes – 2023

The Importance Of Taxonomies In Understanding Scams Fraud & Cybercrimes

Criminology

Author:
•  Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

Article Abstract

The article delineates the paramount significance of taxonomies in criminology, cybersecurity, fraud prevention, and law enforcement, emphasizing their role in creating unified frameworks for understanding criminal behavior.

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2024-01-10T14:50:02-05:00• CRIMINOLOGY, 2023, ARTICLE, Tim McGuinness PhD|
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Body Snatchers – The Monster Behind the Stolen Human Faces – An Essay About Trust – 2025

Invasion of the Body Snatchers – The Monsters Behind the Stolen Human Faces – An Essay About Trust

Monsters in Disguise: Philosophical Reflections on Trust, Honesty, Deception, and Identity in Scam Victimization

Primary Category: Scam Victim Recovery Psychology

Intended Audience: Scam Victims-Survivors / Family & Friends

Author:
•  Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

About This Article

Stories like Invasion of the Body Snatchers, The Thing, and The Host resonate because they expose a primal fear—encountering something inhuman wearing a human face. For scam victims, that metaphor is not fictional. It mirrors their reality. The person who spoke kindly, promised love or partnership, and seemed genuine was in fact a mask for something predatory. Philosophers like Onora O’Neill, Katherine Hawley, and Sissela Bok help explain why these betrayals cut so deep: because they destroy the very trust that human connection depends on.

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2025-04-21T03:03:11-04:00• PSYCHOLOGY, • FEATURED ARTICLE, • FOR SCAM VICTIMS, 2025, ARTICLE, Tim McGuinness PhD|
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The Little Mermaid – A Tale of Self-Deception – A Cautionary Story for Scam Victims – 2025

The Little Mermaid – A Tale of Self-Deception – A Cautionary Story for Scam Victims

Deception Beneath the Waves: How The Little Mermaid Reflects the Emotional Journey of Scam Victims

Primary Category: Psychology of Scams

Intended Audience: Scam Victims-Survivors / Family & Friends

Author:
•  Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

About This Article

The story of The Little Mermaid, while steeped in fantasy, reveals profound emotional truths that echo the experience of many scam victims. It illustrates what happens when deep longing is met by deception, when the desire for connection and transformation is exploited by those who see only opportunity in vulnerability. Scam victims, like the mermaid, often begin with false hope and believing in the possibility of love, safety, or redemption, but find themselves giving up parts of their identity to maintain the illusion. They lose their voice, silence their doubts, and walk through emotional pain for a fantasy that was never real. The story helps you see that your betrayal was not a failure of intelligence, but a reflection of how trust and need can be manipulated.

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2025-04-19T04:21:00-04:00• PSYCHOLOGY, • FEATURED ARTICLE, • FOR SCAM VICTIMS, 2025, ARTICLE, Tim McGuinness PhD|
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What is Karma – Not From an Eastern Perspective But From a Psychological Point of View – 2025

What is Karma – Not From an Eastern Perspective, But From a Psychological Point of View

Understanding Karma from a Psychological Perspective: The Weight of Your Actions

Primary Category: Scam Victim Recovery Psychology

Intended Audience: Scam Victims-Survivors / Family & Friends

Authors:
•  Vianey Gonzalez B.Sc(Psych) – Licensed Psychologist Specialty in Crime Victim Trauma Therapy, Neuropsychologist, Certified Deception Professional, Psychology Advisory Panel & Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
•  Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

About This Article

From a psychological perspective, karma reflects the mental and emotional consequences of actions, inactions, choices, and decisions, particularly bad ones, which can linger like a shadow. This exploration delves into how behaviors can generate guilt, shame, or anger that can accumulate, creating a “dark cloud” of negativity, cynicism, or depression if unresolved, especially for scam victims unable to release their rage, as well as for perpetrators avoiding accountability.

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2025-04-18T17:25:46-04:00• PSYCHOLOGY, • FEATURED ARTICLE, • FOR SCAM VICTIMS, 2025, ARTICLE, Tim McGuinness PhD, Vianey Gonzalez B.Sc(Psych)|
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The Deception of Peter Pan – A New View of a Favorite Story – 2025

The Deception of Peter Pan – A New View of a Favorite Story

Peter Pan – A Victorian Deception Story Through the Lens of Scammers and Victims: A Criminological Analysis and a Cautionary Tale for You

Primary Category: Psychology of Scams

Intended Audience: Scam Victims-Survivors / Family & Friends

Authors:
•  Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

About This Article

The story of Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie, while a cherished children’s classic, can subtly prime you for magical thinking that may increase your vulnerability to relationship scams by fostering schemas that prioritize fantasy over skepticism. Peter Pan’s charm and promise of a carefree Neverland—Think of the happiest things—it’s the same as having wings—mirror how scammers exploit your desire for love or escape, much like Wendy’s longing to nurture Peter, saying, I’ll be your mother if you need me. Neverland’s allure hides dangers like Captain Hook, who distracts with threats—I’ll have my revenge on that boy—paralleling how scammers use crises to divert your focus from their deceit.

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2025-04-17T22:32:18-04:00• PSYCHOLOGY, • CRIMINOLOGY, • FEATURED ARTICLE, • FOR SCAM VICTIMS, 2025, ARTICLE, Tim McGuinness PhD|
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The First Deception: Adam and Eve in the Garden and the First Scam – 2025

The First Deception: Adam and Eve in the Garden and the First Scam

The Story of Adam and Eve in Genesis: A Closer Look at Deception and Scams, and Their Consequences

Primary Category: Philosophy of Scams

Intended Audience: Scam Victims-Survivors / Family & Friends

Author:
•  Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

About This Article

The story of Adam and Eve in Genesis, when examined through the lens of criminology and scam victim psychology, reveals itself as one of the earliest and most instructive examples of deception, manipulation, and the psychological aftermath of betrayal. In this narrative, Adam and Eve occupy the role of unknowing victims, living in a high-trust, low-awareness environment—ideal conditions for a con. The serpent employs classic scammer tactics: gaslighting to destabilize their understanding of truth, minimization of risk to reduce resistance, and emotional hijacking to manipulate desire and bypass critical thinking. Drawing from Maslow’s hierarchy, the serpent lures Eve by appealing not to basic needs but to aspirational longings—identity, autonomy, knowledge, and transcendence.

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2025-04-16T15:32:06-04:00• PHILOSOPHY, • FEATURED ARTICLE, • FOR SCAM VICTIMS, 2025, ARTICLE, Tim McGuinness PhD|
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Understanding Scam Victim Mindsets – 2025

Understanding Scam Victim Mindsets

How Scam Victim Thinking Shapes the Healing Process and the Five Mindsets of Scam Victims: Understanding the Psychology of Recovery

Primary Category: Scam Victim Recovery Psychology

Intended Audience: Scam Victims-Survivors / Family & Friends

Authors:
•  Vianey Gonzalez B.Sc(Psych) – Licensed Psychologist Specialty in Crime Victim Trauma Therapy, Neuropsychologist, Certified Deception Professional, Psychology Advisory Panel & Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
•  Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

About This Article

After a scam, your mindset can become either the greatest obstacle or the strongest asset in your recovery. A comprehensive study of 16,000 scam victims identified five major post-scam mindsets—African Apologists, Minimizers, Vigilantes, Denialists, and Realists—each reflecting different ways of processing trauma. Some mindsets, like Minimization and Denial, suppress the emotional impact and slow healing. Others, like Vigilantism, channel pain into rage, which often isolates the victim further. In contrast, Realists find a balanced way forward by understanding the crime, accepting what happened, and focusing on realistic solutions.

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2025-04-14T22:53:17-04:00• PSYCHOLOGY, • FEATURED ARTICLE, • FOR SCAM VICTIMS, 2025, ARTICLE, Tim McGuinness PhD, Vianey Gonzalez B.Sc(Psych)|
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The Significance of Passover for Scam Victims – 2025

The Significance of Passover for Scam Victims

From Bondage to Liberation: How the Themes of Passover Illuminate the Path to Scam Victim Recovery

Primary Category: Scam Victim Recovery Philosophy

Intended Audience: Scam Victims-Survivors / Family & Friends

Author:
•  Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

About This Article

The journey of scam victim recovery mirrors the ancient Passover story of liberation from bondage, carrying universal themes of suffering, endurance, and transformation. Just as the Israelites escaped Egyptian slavery and wandered through uncertainty toward freedom, you too can move from emotional captivity and betrayal toward healing and personal renewal. This path includes reclaiming trust, confronting systemic injustice, reshaping identity through shared memory, and ultimately finding strength through community and advocacy.

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2025-04-14T09:09:04-04:00• PHILOSOPHY, • FEATURED ARTICLE, • FOR SCAM VICTIMS, 2025, ARTICLE, Tim McGuinness PhD|
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Systemic Support & Advocacy Failures Deepen the Trauma of Scam Victims – 2025

Systemic Support & Advocacy Failures Deepen the Trauma of Scam Victims

The Aftermath of Deception for Scam Victims Worldwide

Primary Category: Scam Victim Advocacy

Intended Audience: General Public

Author:
•  SCARS Editorial Team – Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

About This Article

Scam victims around the world are not only devastated by the initial betrayal of fraud but are often retraumatized by the very systems meant to help them. In many cases, the emotional pain and shame of the experience are made worse by public judgment, inaccessible victim services, and a lack of coordinated legal or emotional support. While scammers exploit trust with devastating effect, it is the systemic failures—from underfunded victim assistance programs to indifferent societal attitudes—that deepen the wound and delay healing. Victims suffer in silence, shamed by stigma and abandoned by institutions unprepared for the scale of modern fraud.

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2025-04-13T16:07:44-04:00• ADVOCACY / POLICY, 2025, ARTICLE, SCARS Institute Editorial Team, WORLDWIDE|
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Monsters of the Id – How Scam Victims’ Own Emotions Can Sabotage Their Recovery – 2025

Monsters of the ‘ID’: How Scam Victims’ Own Emotions Can Sabotage Their Recovery

Overcoming Anger, Shame, and Desperation to Take Back Control After Being Scammed

Primary Category: Scam Victim Recovery Psychology

Intended Audience: Scam Victims-Survivors / Family & Friends

Authors:
•  Vianey Gonzalez B.Sc(Psych) – Licensed Psychologist Specialty in Crime Victim Trauma Therapy, Neuropsychologist, Certified Deception Professional, Psychology Advisory Panel & Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
•  Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

About This Article

Scam victims often face not just financial and emotional loss but also internal psychological battles that can hinder their recovery. The concept of Monsters of the Id, originating from Freudian psychology, represents the primal, unfiltered impulses that can drive victims to act irrationally. Modern psychology identifies these impulses as emotional dysregulation, cognitive distortions, and trauma responses—each of which can lead to impulsive decisions, self-blame, or paranoia that isolates victims from the support they need.

Uncontrolled anger, shame, and desperation can turn victims into their own worst enemies, leading them to lash out, withdraw, or make reckless choices in an attempt to regain control. Recognizing when these psychological forces are at play is essential to preventing self-sabotage. Victims must ask themselves whether their decisions are being driven by raw emotion rather than rational thought.

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2025-03-17T10:35:37-04:00• PSYCHOLOGY, • FEATURED ARTICLE, • FOR SCAM VICTIMS, 2025, ARTICLE, Tim McGuinness PhD, Vianey Gonzalez B.Sc(Psych)|
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Shakuni and Ravana – the Model of Indian Scamming and Deception in the Hindu Tradition and the Punishment They Deserve – 2025

Shakuni and Ravana – the Model of Scamming and Deception in the Hindu Tradition and the Punishment They Deserve

Understanding Modern Indian Scammers and Deception Through the Hindu Traditions of Shakuni and Ravana

Primary Category: Philosophy of Scam Victim Recovery

Intended Audience: Scam Victims-Survivors / Family & Friends / General Public / Others

Author:
•  Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

About This Article

Modern scammers, much like the deceivers Shakuni and Ravana from Hindu mythology, exploit trust and vulnerabilities for personal gain. Hindu teachings emphasize that while deception may bring short-term benefits, it ultimately leads to negative karma and severe consequences, whether through legal repercussions, social disgrace, or spiritual suffering in Naraka.

At the same time, Hinduism encourages compassion for victims, discouraging blame and urging forgiveness as a path to inner peace. However, forgiveness does not mean ignoring justice—wrongdoers must atone for their actions, and karma will ensure they face the consequences. By staying vigilant, upholding dharma, and supporting those who have been deceived, individuals can navigate modern fraud with wisdom and integrity.

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2025-02-26T00:27:51-05:00• PHILOSOPHY, • FEATURED ARTICLE, • FOR SCAM VICTIMS, 2025, ARTICLE, INDIA, Tim McGuinness PhD|
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DJINN – History’s Original Scammers – 2025

DJINN – History’s Original Scammers

The Djinn as Tricksters: A Lesson for Recognizing Scams for those of the Muslim Faith

Primary Category: Philosophy of Scam Victim Recovery

Intended Audience: Scam Victims-Survivors / Family & Friends / General Public / Others

Authors:
•  Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
•  Based on the Scholarship of Abu al-Hasan al-Ash’ari and Ibn Taymiyyah

About This Article

The concept of Djinn as tricksters in Islamic tradition provides a valuable framework for understanding scams and fraud. Islamic teachings depict Djinn as beings with free will, capable of deception, illusions, and manipulation—traits that closely mirror the tactics used by modern scammers. Just as trickster Djinn prey on human desires, fears, and weaknesses, scammers exploit trust, greed, and emotional vulnerabilities to deceive their victims. By drawing parallels between the deceptive nature of Djinn and the strategies employed by fraudsters, Muslims can gain a culturally and religiously relevant perspective on scam awareness.

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2025-02-25T17:07:03-05:00• PHILOSOPHY, • FEATURED ARTICLE, • FOR SCAM VICTIMS, 2025, ARTICLE, Tim McGuinness PhD|
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