Cybercrime/Cybersecurity Training Has Failed!

A commentary on the state of cybercrime/cybersecurity training and helping victims avoid scams/fraud/cybercrime.

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

Cybercrime/Cybersecurity training does not work?

Cybercrime training, also known as cybersecurity training, is a form of education that aims to teach individuals and organizations how to protect themselves against cyberattacks and other forms of online threats. But it mostly has failed.

2023-06-25T21:51:24-04:00Uncategorized|

Unseen but Devastating: The Global Urgency to Address Scams and Cybercrime – 2025

Unseen but Devastating: The Global Urgency to Address Scams and Cybercrime

The Hidden Crisis: Why Scams and Cybercrime Deserve Greater Global Attention

Primary Category: Editorial & Commentary

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

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

About This Article

Scams, fraud, and cybercrime represent the largest and most economically damaging crime category in the world, with annual losses exceeding $3-6 trillion. These crimes affect millions globally, crossing all demographics and representing the largest transfer of wealth in history.

Despite their immense impact, scams remain overshadowed by more visible yet less consequential crimes, such as immigration offenses, which dominate political and media narratives. This “visibility bias” skews public attention and policy priorities, leaving cybercrime units underfunded and enforcement efforts limited.

Dark Tetrad Personality Types (Narcissism, Machiavellianism, Psychopathy, and Sadism) and Scams, Fraud, and Cybercrime – 2024

Dark Tetrad Personalities And Scams, Fraud, and Cybercrime

The Dark Tetrad Personality Types and their Impact in Scams Fraud and Cybercrime

Primary Category: Psychology of Scams

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

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., DFin, MCPO, MAnth – Anthropologist, Scientist, Polymath, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

About This Article

The Dark Tetrad—comprising narcissism, Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and sadism—provides a framework for understanding the malicious behaviors driving some individuals engaged in scams, fraud, and cybercrime. These personality traits often underlie manipulative tactics designed to exploit, deceive, and harm victims.

While most scammers and cybercriminals operate dispassionately, treating their crimes as business ventures, Dark Tetrad personalities bring a distinct cruelty to their schemes, seeking not just financial gain but also emotional control, ego gratification, and, in some cases, sadistic pleasure from their victims’ suffering.

Price’s Law and Scam Fraud & Cybercrime Awareness Education – 2024

Price’s Law and Scam Fraud & Cybercrime Awareness Education

Applying Price’s Law to Scam Awareness: Why Anti-Scam Education Often Fails

Primary Category: Advocacy and Policy

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., DFin, MCPO, MAnth – Anthropologist, Scientist, Polymath, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

About This Article

While Price’s Law highlights the limitations of broad anti-scam awareness campaigns, understanding this phenomenon can help refine and improve educational efforts.

By focusing on the highly engaged minority and creating more targeted, compelling content, organizations can increase the chances of success in their fight against scams and fraud. Though the majority may not engage meaningfully, leveraging the power of the informed few can drive significant change.

United Nations: Member States Finalize a New Global Cybercrime Convention – August 8 2024

After three years of work, the committee established by the UN General Assembly to negotiate a new convention on cybercrime agreed today on a draft convention text.

Primary Category: Government / Regulatory

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

About This Article

The United Nations has finalized a draft of a new global cybercrime convention, marking a significant milestone after three years of negotiations by a committee established by the UN General Assembly.

Expected to be adopted later this year, this convention will become the first globally binding legal instrument on cybercrime, addressing the rapidly growing threats in cyberspace. The convention represents the first multilateral anti-crime treaty in over two decades and has been developed with the input of various stakeholders, including civil society, academia, and the private sector.

Amazon & Global Cyber Alliance Launches CyberFlex to Help Young Adults Avoid Scams and Cybercrime – 2024

Amazon & Global Cyber Alliance Launches CyberFlex to Help Young Adults Avoid Scams and Cybercrime

Creating Better Tools to Help Teens & Young Adults to Stay Safe Online

Primary Category: Scam Victim Advocacy

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

About This Article

The Global Cyber Alliance (GCA) and Amazon announced the launch of CyberFlex.org, an innovative website designed to help 18- to 25-year-olds avoid scams and cybercrimes.

CyberFlex.org offers targeted information, free tools, interactive guides, and text alerts to prevent, mitigate, report, and recover from scams and other cyber risks.

By raising awareness and shifting attitudes about online threats, CyberFlex.org provides young adults with practical steps to protect themselves and share their experiences.

Europol’s Operation ENDGAME Strikes At Heart Of Cybercrime’s Botnet Universe – 2024

Europol’s Operation ENDGAME Strikes At Heart Of Cybercrime’s Botnet Universe

Europol and Partners Take Down Another Major Botnet Cybercrime Organization

Primary Category: Cybercrime

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

About This Article

Europol’s largest-ever operation against botnets, dubbed Operation Endgame, targeted malware droppers like IcedID, SystemBC, Pikabot, Smokeloader, and Bumblebee. Coordinated from Europol’s headquarters between May 27 and 29, 2024, the operation aimed to disrupt criminal services by arresting high-value targets, taking down criminal infrastructures, and freezing illegal proceeds.

The multinational effort, involving countries such as France, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United States, led to four arrests, 16 location searches, and the takedown of over 100 servers. This operation, supported by Eurojust and various private partners, addressed the complex challenge of international cybercrime, highlighting the critical role of botnets in deploying ransomware.

SCARS Is Changing The Way Ghana West Africa Thinks About Scams Fraud & Cybercrime – April 2024

SCARS is Changing the way Ghana West Africa thinks about Scams Fraud & Cybercrime

SCARS Director Dr. Tim McGuinness was presenting to the Ghana Police Service Academy on April 15th, 2024

Authors:
• SCARS Editorial Team – Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
• Portions from the Ghana Internet Safety Foundation

About This Article

The ePolice Academy 2024 International Edition, a collaborative initiative by the Ghana Police Service and the Ghana Internet Safety Foundation, recently concluded with resounding success in Sunyani, Ghana.

The event, held at Sheila’s Executive Hotel, gathered cybersecurity experts and law enforcement officers to explore the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in cyber forensic investigations and enhance online safety. Key speakers like Dr. Edward Danso Ansong, Dr. Isaac Tweneboah-Koduah, and Dr. Tim McGuinness of SCARS provided invaluable insights into AI’s role in cybersecurity and the impact of cybercrime on victims.

7 Chinese Hackers Indicted In U.S. Court For Cybercrime – 2024

7 Chinese Hackers Indicted In U.S. Court

Authors:
• SCARS Editorial Team – Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
• United States Department of Justice

About This Article

In a significant development, seven Chinese hackers, associated with the Chinese government and operating under the APT31 cybercrime and hacking group, have been indicted for their involvement in a sophisticated cybercrime scheme targeting perceived critics of China, U.S. businesses, and politicians.

The indictment, unsealed recently, charges the individuals with conspiracy to commit computer intrusions and wire fraud, highlighting their role in cyber espionage, economic espionage, and foreign intelligence activities.

Ransomware – Ukraine Gets Serious About Combatting Homegrown Cybercrime 2023

Ukraine Gets Serious About Combatting Homegrown Cybercrime

Authors:
• SCARS Editorial Team – Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc., and
• EUROPOL

Dismantlement Of Ransomware Group In Ukraine Amidst Ongoing War – An International Collaboration Success

The Ukraine ransomware gang is behind high-profile attacks that created losses of hundreds of millions of euros

In an unprecedented effort, law enforcement and judicial authorities from seven countries have joined forces with Europol and Eurojust to dismantle and apprehend in Ukraine the key figures behind significant ransomware operations wreaking havoc across the world. The operation comes at a critical time, as the country grapples with the challenges of Russia’s military aggression against its territory.

Hamas & Cybercrime – An Overview

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

The Terrorist Organization Hamas Is Massively Involved In Cybercrime & Scams – To Fund Their Activities And To Disrupt Their Enemies!

Hamas is a Palestinian Sunni-Islamist militant and political organization that has a social service wing, Dawah that is massively involved in cybercrime. It has been designated as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, Canada, Japan, and Israel.

2023-10-11T17:09:30-04:00Uncategorized|

Police Chiefs & Sheriffs: Use GoFundMe To Raise Money To Fight Cybercrime, Scams, And Fraud

Police Chiefs & Sheriffs: Use GoFundMe To Raise Money To Fight Cybercrime, Scams, And Fraud – And Obtain Tools & Training

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

The Fight Against Cybercrime Is As Much A Local Fight As a National Or International Fight

Local police & sheriff departments are the first responders for their citizens, but in the war against cybercrime, most of them have thrown up their hands and told their citizens there is nothing they can do!

But there is very much they can do, especially when it comes to tracing and recovering the money!

However, local police need financial support to get the tools, training, and even personnel needed to do the job well.

2023-06-25T18:40:09-04:00Uncategorized|

The Cost Of Global Cybercrime

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

Cybercrime is Costing Every Person on this Planet $750 per Year!

CONSIDER: Global Cybercrime Is Above USD$6 Trillion Dollars Per Year Now!

That Is $6 Trillion Dollars A Year in costs just from cybercrime! It Will Soon Pass $8 Trillion (According To Some Estimates).

Cybercrime is costing more than the GDP (Gross Domestic Product) of 8 of the top 10 economies in the world!

2023-06-25T21:50:49-04:00Uncategorized|

The Importance Of Taxonomies In Understanding Scams Fraud & Cybercrimes – 2023 UPDATED 2025

The Importance Of Taxonomies In Understanding Scams, Fraud & Cybercrimes

The Importance Of Taxonomies: In Every Aspect of Criminology, and Law Enforcement – Having a Unified Agreed-Upon Taxonomy is Vital

Primary Category: Criminology

UPDATED 2025

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

Author Biographies Below

About This Article

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.It elucidates how structured classifications facilitate comprehensive analysis, aiding researchers, law enforcement, policymakers, and businesses in discerning crime patterns and formulating effective prevention strategies. Emphasizing the necessity of standardized taxonomies, it delineates the perils of employing non-standard terms, delineating their adverse effects on victim support, investigation, and collaboration among law enforcement agencies. The discourse concludes by advocating for a unified taxonomy, fostering collaboration among diverse entities to combat fraud and scams effectively.

The Importance Of Taxonomies in Scams, Fraud, and Cybercrime

The Importance Of Taxonomies: In Every Aspect of Criminology, and Law Enforcement – Having a Unified Agreed-Upon Taxonomy is Vital

Taxonomies establish agreement on terminology that defines the work of professionals across fields. In criminology, cybersecurity, fraud prevention, and law enforcement, a unified taxonomy proves essential for clarity and effectiveness. Without standardized classifications, efforts to combat scams and fraud become fragmented, leading to miscommunication, inefficient resource allocation, and diminished public trust. Read More …

SCARS Editorial Team2025-10-12T04:38:43-04:00• CRIMINOLOGY, • FEATURED ARTICLE, • FOR ADVOCATES, • FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS, • FOR SCAM VICTIMS, • SOCIOLOGY / ANTHROPOLOGY / MYTHOLOGY / POLITICAL SCIENCE, 2023, 2025, ARTICLE, Tim McGuinness PhD|

The Revenant Scammers – Why Scammers Refuse to Stay Dead – 2026

The Revenant Scammers – Why Scammers Refuse to Stay Dead

Revenant Scammers: Why Some Criminals Refuse to Disappear and How Their Return Re-Traumatizes Victims

Primary Category: Psychology of Scams // Criminology/Victimology

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

Author Biographies Below

About This Article

Revenant scammers are criminals who return after an initial scam, using repeated contact to destabilize victims and reopen psychological harm. Their persistence reflects organized fraud practices that rely on prior victim data and known vulnerabilities. For victims, these returns trigger fear, panic, and trauma responses because the nervous system interprets the contact as a continuation of the original threat. The experience mirrors historical revenant narratives in which harm was believed to resurface when unfinished. Recovery depends on recognizing repeat contact as a common tactic rather than a personal failure, preparing for re-engagement attempts, and maintaining strict non-response boundaries. Support communities reduce isolation, restore reality testing, and help victims reclaim finality. When victims understand the pattern and share the burden, repeated contact loses its emotional power.

Note: This article is intended for informational purposes and does not replace professional medical advice. If you are experiencing distress, please consult a qualified mental health professional.

Revenant Scammers: Why Some Criminals Refuse to Disappear and How Their Return Re-Traumatizes Victims

What is a Revenant?

The “Revenant” or “revenant dead” refers to a figure from folklore, mythology, Read More …

SCARS Editorial Team2026-01-08T16:58:00-05:00• PSYCHOLOGY, • CRIMINOLOGY, • FEATURED ARTICLE, • FOR SCAM VICTIMS, • SOCIOLOGY / ANTHROPOLOGY / MYTHOLOGY / POLITICAL SCIENCE, 2026, ARTICLE, COMMUNITY POSTED, STEP 1 RECOVERY, STEP 2 RECOVERY, Tim McGuinness PhD|

SCARS Institute – 12 Years of Service to Scam Victims & Survivors – 2025/2026

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., DFin, MCPO, MAnth – Anthropologist, Scientist, Polymath, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
• Debby Montgomery Johnson, President and CEO of BenfoComplete.com, Online Scam/Fraud Survivors Advocate, Author, Keynote Speaker, Trainer, Podcast Host, USAF Veteran, Chair and Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
• Janina Morcinek – Certified and Licensed Educator, European Regional Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

Author Biographies Below

About This Article

The SCARS Institute, marking its 12th year of service, has established itself as a global leader in supporting scam victims, offering a comprehensive suite of resources and programs. Founded as a nonprofit, the SCARS Institute provides advocacy, education, and psychological insights to aid victims in their recovery and rebuilding process. Through initiatives such as the Scam Survivor’s School, the SCARS Institute empowers victims with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate their healing journey. The organization’s dedication to understanding the psychological impact of scams is evident in its Manual of Scam Psychology, a resource that guides both victims and advocates. The SCARS Institute also partners with global entities to enhance Read More …

SCARS Editorial Team2025-10-22T05:06:58-04:00• ADVOCACY / POLICY, • FEATURED ARTICLE, • FOR ADVOCATES, • FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS, • FOR SCAM VICTIMS, 2025, ARTICLE, Debby Montgomery Johnson, Janina Morcinek, Tim McGuinness PhD, Vianey Gonzalez B.Sc(Psych)|

Record Breaking Bitcoin Forfeiture Action – 2025

Record Breaking Bitcoin Forfeiture Action

Chairman of Prince Group Indicted for Operating Cambodian Forced-Labor Scam Compounds Engaged in Cryptocurrency Fraud Schemes

Primary Category: NEWS / Crimes & Criminals

Authors:
• SCARS Editorial Team – Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
• Portions from U.S. Department of Justice

About This Article

Federal authorities announced an indictment charging Chen Zhi, chairman of Cambodia-based Prince Group, with wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy tied to forced-labor compounds that executed large cryptocurrency investment schemes known as “pig butchering.” The filing describes trafficked workers confined in guarded facilities, phone farms that drove mass outreach, and laundering methods that split, layered, and reconsolidated crypto before conversion through merchant fronts, gambling operations, and mining financed with stolen funds. Prosecutors simultaneously filed a civil forfeiture complaint for about 127,271 bitcoin, valued near 15 billion dollars, now in U.S. custody. Allegations include bribes to officials, political protection, violence inside compounds, and luxury spending on jets, yachts, real estate, and fine art. U.S. agencies coordinated with international partners on sanctions and investigative support. The defendant remains at large and is presumed innocent; if convicted, the charges carry a potential maximum of forty years.

Chairman of Prince Group Indicted for Operating Cambodian Forced-Labor Scam Compounds Engaged in Cryptocurrency Fraud Schemes

Federal prosecutors unsealed an indictment charging Chen Zhi, the founder and chairman of Cambodia-based Prince Group, with wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy tied Read More …

SCARS Editorial Team2025-10-15T00:56:59-04:00NEWS, • CRIMES & CRIMINALS, 2025, CAMBODIA, CHINA (PRC), SCARS Institute Editorial Team, U.S. Department of Justice, USA|

What Really Are Vulnerabilities That Lead To Scams? – 2023 UPDATED 2025

What Really Are Vulnerabilities That Lead To Scams?

What Are Victim Vulnerabilities And What Do We Mean By Them?

Primary Category: Psychology of Scams

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

Author Biographies Below

About This Article

The article explores the diverse landscape of vulnerabilities, aiming to alleviate stigma and empower scam victims and their support systems. It underscores that vulnerabilities are inherent to humanity and should not elicit blame. Vulnerabilities encompass psychological, emotional, and environmental factors influencing susceptibility to harm. Insights delve into emotional sensitivity, cognitive distortions, interpersonal challenges, trauma triggers, and self-esteem issues, shaped by developmental experiences and environmental stressors.

What Are Victim Vulnerabilities And What Do We Mean By Them?

We often talk about victim vulnerabilities as though they magically explain everything about why people are victimized by scams & financial fraud. But what are they really?

The purpose of this article is to help all scam victims and their families and friends understand that vulnerabilities can be varied, that many are just part of being human, and that the victim should never be blamed for their vulnerabilities. The simple fact is that everyone can be scammed, and eventually, everyone will be, it only depends on the right time and the right story.

This is not Read More …

SCARS Editorial Team2025-10-12T10:48:42-04:00• PSYCHOLOGY, • FEATURED ARTICLE, • FOR ADVOCATES, • FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS, • FOR SCAM VICTIMS, • FOUNDATIONS OF SCAM VICTIM RECOVERY, ♦ UPDATED, 2023, 2025, ARTICLE, Tim McGuinness PhD|

Chinese Court Sentences 11 Scammers to Death – 2025

Chinese Court Sentences 11 Scammers to Death

CCP Chinese Court Sentences 11 Members of Notorious Crime Family Syndicate To Death For Scams, Telecom Fraud, Cybercrime, And Murder

Primary Category: NEWS

Authors:
• SCARS Editorial Team – Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
• Portions from: China Daily & Gulf News

About This Article

A Chinese court sentenced 39 members of a Myanmar-based crime family for fraud, murder, and organized cybercrime, and 11 to death, signaling a hard line against cross-border scam syndicates. Eleven ringleaders received death sentences, five received suspended death sentences, and others received life terms or long prison terms. Court findings described illegal casinos, telecom fraud, drug trafficking, and forced labor in Kokang compounds where workers were trafficked, confined, beaten, and, in some cases, killed. Proceeds exceeded 10 billion yuan, and at least 14 Chinese nationals died. The case followed joint operations with Myanmar that dismantled scam centers, freed thousands of enslaved workers, and underscored Beijing’s view of large-scale fraud as a national security threat.

CCP Chinese Court Sentences 11 Members of Notorious Crime Family Syndicate To Death For Scams, Telecom Fraud, Cybercrime, And Murder

According to China Daily:

Thirty-nine members of a family-run syndicate based in northern Myanmar have been convicted on multiple charges, including crimes that killed 14 Chinese nationals and injured six others, a Chinese court announced on Monday.

The Wenzhou Intermediate People’s Court in East China’s Zhejiang Read More …

SCARS Editorial Team2025-09-30T12:37:00-04:00• CRIMES & CRIMINALS, • CRIMINAL JUSTICE, • FEATURED ARTICLE, 2025, CHINA (PRC), MYANMAR, NEWS, SCARS Institute Editorial Team, SOUTHEAST ASIA|

Extreme Traumatic Fear – 2025

Extreme Traumatic Fear

Trauma Sufferers Can Sometimes Experience a Profound Extreme Form of Fear that can Incapacitate or Worse

Primary Category: Scam Victim Recovery Psychology

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

Author Biographies Below

About This Article

Extreme traumatic fear is a powerful survival response that can overwhelm your body and mind long after danger has passed. You may feel a racing heart, rapid breathing, dizziness, or dissociation as the amygdala and the HPA axis flood you with stress hormones. For some people, this state persists and fuels PTSD symptoms such as intrusions, avoidance, hypervigilance, and sleep disruption. In rare but real cases, intense fear can contribute to medical crises like stress-induced cardiomyopathy, dangerous heart rhythms, or collapse driven by nocebo beliefs and cultural terror. Crowd panic and poor decisions under stress can also cause harm. You can lower risk by using grounded skills that calm the nervous system, including paced breathing, sensory grounding, progressive muscle relaxation, cold-water face cooling, gentle movement, and clear self-talk. Pair these with a safety plan, social support, and timely medical or therapeutic care. If you feel unsafe or in crisis, call 911 or your local emergency number.

Note: This article is intended for informational purposes and does not replace professional medical advice. If you are experiencing distress, please consult a qualified mental health professional.

Trauma Sufferers Can Read More …

SCARS Editorial Team2025-09-25T16:25:08-04:00• PSYCHOLOGY, • FEATURED ARTICLE, • FOR SCAM VICTIMS, • SCAM VICTIM HEALTH, 2025, ARTICLE, Tim McGuinness PhD|

The Profound Sadness That Comes with Physiological Trauma – 2025

The Profound Sadness That Comes with Physiological Trauma

The Silent Weight of Sadness: Understanding the Emotional Depth of Unresolved Psychological Trauma

Primary Category: Psychology

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

Author Biographies Below

About This Article

Unresolved psychological trauma often settles into a quiet, persistent sadness that reshapes how you see yourself, others, and the world. It is not the clean arc of grief or only a clinical depression; it is a layered state fueled by nervous-system alarm, unfinished meaning-making, and injured trust. This sadness can appear as emptiness, fatigue, or withdrawal; as shame that attacks worth; as attachment withdrawal after a deceptive bond ends; or as moral injury when core values are violated. Triggers are cues that spike the body’s alarm, while sadness is the emotion about what was lost; both can co-occur and must be cared for in order, safety first. Helpful responses are steady and practical: name what you feel, ground the body, use brief skills like paced breathing and five-sense orientation, seek dignifying support, and keep boundaries with minimizing people and “rescuers.” Healing is paced, collaborative, and culturally aware. You honor the pain, integrate it into your story, and rebuild meaning through small, repeatable acts that restore agency, connection, and self-respect.

Note: This article is intended for informational purposes and does not replace professional medical advice. If you are experiencing distress, please consult a qualified mental Read More …

SCARS Editorial Team2025-09-07T03:51:21-04:00• PSYCHOLOGY, • FEATURED ARTICLE, • FOR SCAM VICTIMS, 2025, ARTICLE, Tim McGuinness PhD|

INTERPOL-Coordinated Operation Leads to 1,209 Arrests in Africa – 2025

INTERPOL-Coordinated Operation Leads to 1,209 Arrests in Africa

INTERPOL Operation Serengeti 2.0 – African Authorities Dismantle Massive Cybercrime and Fraud Networks, Recover Millions

Primary Category: Criminal Justice // Crimes and Criminals

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

About This Article

Operation Serengeti 2.0, an INTERPOL-led initiative conducted from June to August 2025, resulted in the arrest of 1,209 cybercriminals across 18 African nations and the UK, dismantling 11,432 malicious infrastructures and recovering over USD 97.4 million. The crackdown targeted ransomware, online scams, business email compromise, cryptocurrency fraud, and inheritance scams, affecting nearly 88,000 victims worldwide. Major highlights include shutting down 25 illegal crypto-mining centers in Angola, disrupting a USD 300 million investment fraud scheme in Zambia, and dismantling a transnational inheritance scam in Côte d’Ivoire. The operation showcased the growing effectiveness of cross-border intelligence sharing, private-sector collaboration, and hands-on investigator training. Through its partnership with the International Cyber Offender Prevention Network (InterCOP), authorities also focused on proactive strategies to identify and mitigate cyber threats before they occur.

African Authorities Dismantle Massive Cybercrime and Fraud Networks, Recover Millions

In a sweeping INTERPOL-coordinated operation, authorities across Africa have arrested 1,209 cybercriminals targeting nearly 88,000 victims.

The crackdown recovered USD 97.4 million and dismantled 11,432 malicious infrastructures, underscoring the global reach of cybercrime and the urgent need for cross-border cooperation.

Operation Serengeti 2.0 (June to August 2025) brought Read More …

SCARS Editorial Team2025-08-24T19:08:08-04:00• CRIMINAL JUSTICE, • CRIMES & CRIMINALS, 2025, AFRICA, INTERPOL, NEWS, SCARS Institute Editorial Team|

$100 Million Dollar Romance Scammers from Ghana Extradited to the United States – 2025

$100 Million Dollar Romance Scammers from Ghana Extradited to the United States

Ghanaian Nationals Extradited For Roles In Criminal Organization That Stole More Than $100 Million Through Romance Scams And Other Fraud

Primary Category: News // Law Enforcement

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

About This Article

Four Ghanaian nationals have been charged in New York for their alleged roles in a criminal organization that stole more than $100 million through romance scams and business email compromise schemes targeting U.S. victims. Isaac Oduro Boateng, Inusah Ahmed, and Derrick Van Yeboah were extradited from Ghana and presented before a U.S. magistrate judge on August 7, 2025. Patrick Kwame Asare remains at large. Prosecutors allege the group posed as romantic partners to deceive vulnerable older Americans into sending money or laundering funds, while also executing fraudulent business email transactions to steal from companies. Proceeds were funneled to West Africa, primarily to senior figures known as “chairmen,” including Boateng and Ahmed. The defendants face multiple charges, each carrying significant prison terms if convicted. U.S. and Ghanaian authorities collaborated extensively on the investigation and extraditions. All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Note: This article is intended for informational purposes and does not replace professional medical advice. If you are experiencing distress, please consult a qualified mental health professional.

Ghanaian Nationals Extradited For Roles In Criminal Organization That Stole More Read More …

SCARS Editorial Team2025-08-28T13:04:35-04:00• CRIMINAL JUSTICE, • FEATURED ARTICLE, 2025, GHANA, NEWS, USA|

The Compulsion of Risk – an Essay by Tim McGuinness Ph.D. – 2025

The Compulsion of Risk

An Essay by Tim McGuinness, Ph.D.

What is it about Human Psychology that Compels Us to Take Risks, to take Leaps of Faith without any Rational Reason?

Primary Category: Commentary // Philosophy

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

About This Article

Human beings are driven to take risks and leaps of faith not because they are reckless, but because they are wired for meaning, connection, and emotional engagement with life. The same impulses that helped early humans survive now collide with a modern world that encourages action but offers fewer safety nets. This creates vulnerabilities to manipulation, deception, and self-destruction. People leap because standing still feels unbearable, especially when faced with emotional restlessness, mortality awareness, or unmet psychological needs. Scammers, marketers, and social systems exploit this by offering quick fixes to deep existential discomfort. Yet humanity survives not by suppressing these instincts but by learning to adapt to them. Cultures create laws, cautionary stories, and shared wisdom that help balance impulse with reflection. Personal and societal resilience grows through cycles of collapse, correction, and recovery. The challenge is not to stop leaping, but to learn how to leap wisely and with preparation.

Institutional Betrayal – How Scam Victims are Traumatized Again by the Institutions They Depend On – 2025

Institutional Betrayal – How Scam Victims are Traumatized Again by the Institutions They Depend On

Institutional Betrayal and Scam Victimization: When the Systems Meant to Protect Become Sources of Harm

Primary Category: Psychology of Scams

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

About This Article

Scam victims often experience Institutional Betrayal, either as a primary trauma or as a secondary, deeper trauma when they turn to law enforcement, government agencies, or financial institutions for help and are met with blame, dismissal, or silence. This is called institutional betrayal, and it leaves long-lasting psychological scars. When trusted systems fail to protect you or even acknowledge your pain, the harm goes beyond the scam itself. You begin to question your worth, your judgment, and whether justice exists at all. Many victims stop reporting future crimes or seeking recovery support because the emotional cost of being dismissed feels too high. This creates a dangerous cycle where scammers thrive, victims suffer in silence, and institutions remain unaware of the true scale of the problem. The solution requires systemic reform: trauma-informed training, victim-centered policies, and collaboration with advocacy groups like the SCARS Institute. Scam victims deserve the same respect and support as any other crime survivor. Real change starts by listening, believing, and acting with compassion.

Note: This article is intended for informational purposes and does not replace professional medical advice. If you are experiencing distress, Read More …

SCARS Editorial Team2025-07-13T10:19:51-04:00• PSYCHOLOGY, • CRIMINAL JUSTICE, • FEATURED ARTICLE, • FOR ADVOCATES, • FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS, • FOR SCAM VICTIMS, • GOVERNMENT / REGULATORY, 2025, ARTICLE, Tim McGuinness PhD, WORLDWIDE|

Overton’s Window – a Commentary on the Acceptance of Criminality and Scams in our Society and World – 2025

Overton’s Window – a Commentary on the Acceptance of Criminality and Scams in our Society and World

A Critical Analysis of the Current Trends in Society and Politics of Accepting Criminality as Acceptable and Normal

Primary Category: Sociology

Intended Audience: General Public

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

About This Article

The Overton Window, as applied to scams and public tolerance for criminality, reveals a disturbing shift in societal norms. What was once seen as unequivocal fraud is now increasingly viewed through softened lenses, described as misunderstandings, clever tactics, or inevitable risks of digital life. Cultural, institutional, and political forces are collectively reshaping how deception is perceived, diminishing the stigma once attached to scams and emboldening perpetrators. This shift not only harms individual victims but erodes the foundations of justice, accountability, and social trust.

Acknowledging The Harm Done – 2025

Acknowledging The Harm Done

How Scam Victims Can Unwittingly Harm Themselves and Others

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.
• 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.
—
Originally Published on RomanceScamsNOW.com on Jun 19, 2023 – Major Update May 5, 2025

About This Article

Scam victims are often manipulated so thoroughly that they unwittingly engage in behavior that harms both themselves and others. This harm may include lying to family and friends, deceiving financial institutions, concealing financial losses, justifying suspicious behavior, and isolating themselves from their support network. In some cases, victims may even steal shared funds or unknowingly support criminal enterprises through their financial actions. These behaviors, while not malicious, are often driven by fear, shame, and psychological manipulation. Left unacknowledged, they contribute to lingering guilt, relationship breakdowns, and emotional distress that can stall recovery.

The Keres and Cybercriminals: New Monsters in Our World – 2025

The Keres and Cybercriminals: An Essay on the New Monsters in Our World

Keres: Ancient Harbingers of Death Meet Modern Digital Predators (Hackers, Fraudsters, and Scammers)

Primary Category: Philosophy of Scams

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

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

About This Article

The Keres of Greek mythology were dark-winged spirits who sought out the wounded on ancient battlefields, delivering violent, dishonorable death with ruthless precision. Today, their legacy lives on in cybercriminals, scammers, and digital predators who operate in secrecy and prey on vulnerability. Just like the Keres, modern attackers do not strike the strong—they target the grieving, the lonely, and the emotionally exposed. Both figures move invisibly, strike without warning, and leave ruin in their wake. Understanding this parallel reframes cybercrime not as random misfortune, but as a modern version of an ancient pattern. By studying how the Keres behaved and how ancient cultures resisted them, you can begin to see that awareness, education, and open dialogue are your defenses. The scammer, like the Keres, feeds on shame and silence. When you speak, learn, and prepare, you deny them their power—and reclaim your own.

SCARS Law™ – Murphy’s Law – and Other Rules About When Things Go Wrong! – 2025

SCARS Law™ – Murphy’s Law – and Other Rules About When Things Go Wrong!

If Something Can Go Wrong, It Will – Murphy’s Law, Murphy was an Optimist!

Primary Category: Philosophy of Scams

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

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

About This Article

Recognizing the many “laws” that apply to scams, scammers, and their victims offers a practical roadmap for daily life and recovery. From Murphy’s Law to the SCARS Trust Rebuilding Rule, each principle highlights how scams exploit human nature, emotional vulnerabilities, and system weaknesses. Understanding that anything which can go wrong often will, that urgency signals danger, that isolation magnifies vulnerability, and that scammers prey on dreams rather than just fears, gives individuals the tools to slow down, question illusions, and protect themselves more wisely.

The Call of the Void – L’appel du Vide – A Strange Mental State – 2025

The Call of the Void – L’appel du Vide – A Strange Mental State

The Subtle Mental Voice to Jump Off the Cliff and Its Impact on Scam Victims

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., DFin, MCPO, MAnth – Anthropologist, Scientist, Polymath, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

About This Article

The phrase l’appel du vide—“the call of the void”—describes a fleeting yet haunting impulse to leap into danger, not from a desire to die, but from a sudden confrontation with one’s own vulnerability. For scam victims, this metaphor resonates deeply. After the collapse of trust, identity, and security, many victims find themselves peering into their own emotional abyss, overwhelmed by intrusive thoughts, shame, and the desire to retreat from life altogether.

The trauma of being deceived by someone you trusted can echo that same chilling moment on the cliff’s edge: the ground feels unstable, and nothing feels safe. Yet, just as most people step back from the literal edge, victims too can recover—by confronting their emotions, rejecting the seductive pull of despair, and reclaiming their agency.

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.

Complacency and Dependence on Luxury Fuels Vulnerability in Scam Victims – 2025

Complacency and Dependence on Luxury Fuels Vulnerability in Scam Victims

The Allure of Comfort: How Societal Complacency Fuels Vulnerability to Scams and Cybercrime

Primary Category: Psychology of Scams

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

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

About This Article

There is a direct line between Tacitus’s ancient warnings about luxury-induced complacency and today’s public indifference toward scams and cybercrime. In a world saturated with comfort, convenience, and digital ease, many people have become so accustomed to their lifestyle that they fail to recognize or prepare for the threats that surround them. Just as Tacitus observed how the Roman Empire lulled conquered populations into submission through luxuries disguised as civilization, modern individuals are lulled into vulnerability through overconfidence, digital dependency, and a false sense of security.

The rise of cybercrime, particularly during global disruptions like the COVID-19 pandemic, has revealed how quickly attackers can exploit not only technology, but also human complacency. Emotional comfort and material ease create blind spots—making people less likely to report fraud, question suspicious activity, or take protective action. But this complacency can be overcome. Awareness, education, collaboration, and renewed commitment to personal vigilance are necessary to interrupt the cycle.

INTERPOL Operation Red Card Arrests Hundreds in Africa – 2025

INTERPOL Operation Red Card Arrests Hundreds in Africa

More than 300 arrests as African Countries Clamp Down on Cyber Threats

Primary Category: Crimes & Criminals

Intended Audience: General Public / Others

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

About This Article

INTERPOL’s Operation Red Card, conducted between November 2024 and February 2025, led to 306 arrests across seven African countries as authorities cracked down on cyber-enabled scams involving banking, investment, and messaging apps. With over 5,000 victims identified, the coordinated effort targeted cross-border criminal networks causing widespread financial and emotional harm.

Notable actions included Nigeria’s arrest of 130 individuals, including 113 foreign nationals tied to scam centers potentially linked to human trafficking, and South Africa’s dismantling of a large SIM box fraud operation. Zambia uncovered a malware-based phone hacking syndicate, while Rwandan authorities disrupted social engineering scams that defrauded victims of over $305,000 in 2024.

U.S. Romance Scam Prevention Act – Nice Try – No Cigar! 2025

U.S. Romance Scam Prevention Act – Nice Try – No Cigar!

U.S. Senate Bill S.841 – Romance Scam Prevention Act – 119th Congress (2025-2026)

Primary Category: Laws & Regulations

Intended Audience: General Public

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

About This Article

The Romance Scam Prevention Act (S. 841) aims to reduce romance scams by requiring online dating platforms to notify users when they have interacted with banned members suspected of fraudulent activity. While this approach enhances transparency, it is largely reactive and does not mandate proactive scam prevention measures such as identity verification or fraud detection.

The law does not penalize scammers directly, lacks cross-platform data sharing, and provides liability protections for dating services. Its effectiveness depends on user responsiveness and platform enforcement, making elimination of romance scams unlikely. While some reduction in scam losses may occur, systemic vulnerabilities remain unaddressed.

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., DFin, MCPO, MAnth – Anthropologist, Scientist, Polymath, 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.

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., DFin, MCPO, MAnth – Anthropologist, Scientist, Polymath, 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.

Fake IDs are an Ever-Increasing Threat and Massively Contribute to All Forms of Scams and Fraud – 2025

Fake IDs are an Ever-Increasing Threat and Massively Contribute to All Forms of Scams and Fraud

The Underground Market for Counterfeit Identification (Fake IDs) is Surging in Sophistication, a Significant Challenge to Law Enforcement and Public Safety

Primary Category: Criminology

Intended Audience: General Public

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

About This Article

The underground market for counterfeit identification has evolved into a sophisticated industry, posing a major challenge to law enforcement and public safety. High-quality fake IDs now incorporate advanced security features such as holograms, barcodes, and laser engravings, allowing criminals to bypass verification systems. The rise of state policies granting driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants has further complicated identity verification, while the REAL ID Act has driven demand for counterfeit documents.

Beyond traditional fraud, fake IDs are widely used in online scams, enabling cybercriminals to create fraudulent accounts, launder money, and deceive victims through fake personas on dating platforms, financial institutions, and e-commerce sites. With the dark web fueling access to these forgeries, AI-driven verification and biometric security measures are increasingly critical in combating identity fraud and protecting victims from deception.

Other Victims & Advocates Personality Dangers to Scam Victims – Including Main Character Syndrome – 2025

Victim & Advocate Personality Dangers to Scam Victims – Including Main Character Syndrome

Main Character Syndrome and the Dangers to Victims Around Them – Avoiding Entanglement with Dangerous Advocates and Other Victims

Primary Category: Scam Victim Recovery Psychology

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

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., DFin, MCPO, MAnth – Anthropologist, Scientist, Polymath, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

About This Article

Navigating the Challenges of Dangerous Personality Types, such as Main Character Syndrome and Pathological Lying in Victims’ Advocacy

Victims of scams or crimes often face profound psychological challenges, including trauma responses that may lead to behaviors such as exaggeration, pathological lying, or the emergence of traits linked to “Main Character Syndrome.” While these behaviors can complicate the victim’s recovery journey, they are often rooted in deep emotional and psychological pain, not malice. This highlights the need for compassion, understanding, and appropriate boundaries in advocacy.

Theory of Capabilities and Scam Victims – 2025

Theory of Capabilities and Scam Victims

Rebuilding Lives: Applying Nussbaum’s Theory of Capabilities Approach to Scam Victim Recovery

Primary Category: Scam Victim Recovery Psychology

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, in part, on the work of Martha Nussbaum

About This Article

Martha Nussbaum’s Capability Approach offers a powerful and human-centered framework for understanding and facilitating the recovery of scam victims. Unlike traditional recovery models that focus solely on financial restitution, Nussbaum’s theory emphasizes the restoration of fundamental human capabilities—those essential to living a life of dignity, autonomy, and purpose. Scams often leave victims with more than just empty bank accounts; they erode trust, shatter confidence, and create deep emotional scars that hinder victims’ ability to engage fully with the world around them.

By addressing the psychological, emotional, and social dimensions of victimization, the Capability Approach reframes recovery as a holistic process that nurtures the victim’s overall well-being. This includes efforts to rebuild emotional resilience, enhance practical reasoning, restore personal agency, and re-establish connections with community and loved ones.

INTERPOL Operation HAECHI V – Arrests 5,500 Scammers in 40 Countries – 2024

INTERPOL Operation HAECHI V – Arrests 5,500 Scammers in 40 Countries

INTERPOL Financial Crime Operation HAECHI V Makes Record 5,500 Arrests, Seizures Worth over USD $400 million

Primary Category: Crimes and Criminals

Authors:
• SCARS Editorial Team – Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
• Portion by Interpol

About This Article

Operation HAECHI V, an extensive five-month initiative led by INTERPOL, brought together law enforcement from 40 countries to combat cyber-enabled financial crimes.

The operation, targeting frauds such as voice phishing, romance scams, and investment fraud, resulted in over 5,500 arrests and the seizure of more than USD 400 million in assets.

Notable achievements included dismantling a South Korean voice phishing syndicate responsible for USD 1.1 billion in losses and exposing a cryptocurrency fraud involving stablecoins.

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Cybercrime/Cybersecurity Training Has Failed!

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

Cybercrime/Cybersecurity training does not work?

Unseen but Devastating: The Global Urgency to Address Scams and Cybercrime

The Hidden Crisis: Why Scams and Cybercrime Deserve Greater Global Attention

Primary Category: Editorial & Commentary

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

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

About This Article

Dark Tetrad Personalities And Scams, Fraud, and Cybercrime

The Dark Tetrad Personality Types and their Impact in Scams Fraud and Cybercrime

Primary Category: Psychology of Scams

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

About This Article

Price’s Law and Scam Fraud & Cybercrime Awareness Education

Applying Price’s Law to Scam Awareness: Why Anti-Scam Education Often Fails

Primary Category: Advocacy and Policy

About This Article

United Nations: Member States Finalize a New Global Cybercrime Convention – August 8 2024

After three years of work, the committee established by the UN General Assembly to negotiate a new convention on cybercrime agreed today on a draft convention text.

Primary Category: Government / Regulatory

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

About This Article

Amazon & Global Cyber Alliance Launches CyberFlex to Help Young Adults Avoid Scams and Cybercrime

Creating Better Tools to Help Teens & Young Adults to Stay Safe Online

Primary Category: Scam Victim Advocacy

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

About This Article

Europol’s Operation ENDGAME Strikes At Heart Of Cybercrime’s Botnet Universe

Europol and Partners Take Down Another Major Botnet Cybercrime Organization

Primary Category: Cybercrime

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

About This Article

SCARS is Changing the way Ghana West Africa thinks about Scams Fraud & Cybercrime

SCARS Director Dr. Tim McGuinness was presenting to the Ghana Police Service Academy on April 15th, 2024

Authors: • SCARS Editorial Team – Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. • Portions from the Ghana Internet Safety Foundation

About This Article

7 Chinese Hackers Indicted In U.S. Court

Authors: • SCARS Editorial Team – Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. • United States Department of Justice

About This Article

Ukraine Gets Serious About Combatting Homegrown Cybercrime

Authors: • SCARS Editorial Team – Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc., and • EUROPOL

Dismantlement Of Ransomware Group In Ukraine Amidst Ongoing War – An International Collaboration Success

Hamas & Cybercrime – An Overview

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

The Terrorist Organization Hamas Is Massively Involved In Cybercrime & Scams – To Fund Their Activities And To Disrupt Their Enemies!

Police Chiefs & Sheriffs: Use GoFundMe To Raise Money To Fight Cybercrime, Scams, And Fraud – And Obtain Tools & Training

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

The Fight Against Cybercrime Is As Much A Local Fight As a National Or International Fight

But there is very much they can do, especially when it comes to tracing and recovering the money!

The Cost Of Global Cybercrime

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

Cybercrime is Costing Every Person on this Planet $750 per Year!

CONSIDER: Global Cybercrime Is Above USD$6 Trillion Dollars Per Year Now!

The Importance Of Taxonomies In Understanding Scams, Fraud & Cybercrimes

The Importance Of Taxonomies: In Every Aspect of Criminology, and Law Enforcement – Having a Unified Agreed-Upon Taxonomy is Vital

Primary Category: Criminology

UPDATED 2025

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

Author Biographies Below

About This Article

The Importance Of Taxonomies in Scams, Fraud, and Cybercrime

The Importance Of Taxonomies: In Every Aspect of Criminology, and Law Enforcement – Having a Unified Agreed-Upon Taxonomy is Vital

The Revenant Scammers – Why Scammers Refuse to Stay Dead

Revenant Scammers: Why Some Criminals Refuse to Disappear and How Their Return Re-Traumatizes Victims

Primary Category: Psychology of Scams // Criminology/Victimology

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

Author Biographies Below

About This Article

Revenant Scammers: Why Some Criminals Refuse to Disappear and How Their Return Re-Traumatizes Victims

What is a Revenant?

SCARS Institute – 12 Years of Service to Scam Victims & Survivors – 2025/2026

Author Biographies Below

About This Article

Record Breaking Bitcoin Forfeiture Action

Chairman of Prince Group Indicted for Operating Cambodian Forced-Labor Scam Compounds Engaged in Cryptocurrency Fraud Schemes

Primary Category: NEWS / Crimes & Criminals

Authors: • SCARS Editorial Team – Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. • Portions from U.S. Department of Justice

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

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

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

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

Authors:
• SCARS Editorial Team – Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
• Portions from the Ghana Internet Safety Foundation

Authors:
• SCARS Editorial Team – Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
• United States Department of Justice

Authors:
• SCARS Editorial Team – Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc., and
• EUROPOL

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

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

Authors:
• SCARS Editorial Team – Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
• Portions from U.S. Department of Justice

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

Authors:
• SCARS Editorial Team – Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
• Portions from: China Daily & Gulf News

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

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

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

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