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Scams and Cryptocurrency Go Hand in Hand
Scams and Cryptocurrency go Hand in Hand
Authors:
• Yaniv Hanoch, Associate Professor in Risk Management, University of Southampton; and
• Stacey Wood, Professor of Psychology, Scripps College
Scams And Cryptocurrency Can Go Hand In Hand – Here’s How They Work And What To Watch Out For
When one of our students told us they were going to drop out of college in August 2021, it wasn’t the first time we’d heard of someone ending their studies prematurely. What was new, though, was the reason. The student had become a victim of a cryptocurrency scam and had lost all their money – including a bank loan – leaving them not just broke, but in debt. The experience was financially and psychologically traumatic, to say the least.
ScamsNOW! The News & Commentary Magazine about Scams Scammers & Scam Survivors from SCARS Institute
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Welcome to ScamsNOW.com
ScamsNOW.com! the SCARS news & features magazine about scams & fraud
Our ScamsNOW mission is to present important news & commentary about the global state of scams, fraud, & cybercrime, the criminals that engage in these crimes, law enforcement & governmental issues, and explore the challenging issues that victims face.
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About SCARS Publishing on ScamsNOW.com
Masthead
- Owner: Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc., a Florida Nonprofit Corporation.
- Publisher in Chief: Dr. Tim McGuinness, Managing Director, Board Member, and SCARS Officer
- Press Contact: Debby Montgomery Johnson, Director, Board Member, and SCARS Officer
- Editorial Advisory Board: Vianey Gonzalez, and others.
Corrections
We will revise our website and articles as needed to maintain the correctness, competency, and accuracy of our contact. We cannot promise to notify our readers when this happens, though you will find updated articles in our listing of updated posts.
Introduction
SCARS holds its journalists, reporters, writers, content curators, video producers, commentators, editors, and all other employees, volunteers, contributors or contractors (hereafter referred to as content creators) to the highest standards of ethics and professionalism. These ethical and editorial standards have been created to guide content creators to create an extremely trustworthy publication for our audience. In addition, we are publishing these standards so that the public can know them in the spirit of transparency.
If our audience can’t trust the content we produce, they will not be able to use this information in their recovery and to avoid these crimes in the future. And if the content we produce is not truthful, useful, instructive, or wholesome, our existence as a nonprofit company cannot be justified. Therefore, SCARS expects its content creators to not only keep, but also build trust with our readers and viewers by producing content that conforms to the standards laid out in this document.
Telling the Truth
Reassurance Loops – A Powerful Manipulative Technique Used in Scams – 2026
Reassurance Loops – A Powerful Manipulative Technique Used in Scams
The Invisible Cage: How Reassurance Loops Create Devotion in Relationship Scams
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
Reassurance loops are a central psychological manipulation mechanism in relationship scams, using cycles of anxiety and relief to create emotional dependency and control. Scammers establish a powerful emotional baseline, then introduce uncertainty and distress that is resolved only through their reassurance, conditioning victims to outsource emotional regulation. This process hijacks attachment systems, increases cognitive load, and isolates victims from external reality checks. Financial requests are integrated into the same loop, deepening commitment and dependency. After discovery, victims often experience withdrawal-like symptoms because the nervous system has been trained to rely on the scammer for stability. Recovery involves understanding this conditioning, rebuilding self-soothing skills, restoring internal regulation, and gradually reestablishing emotional autonomy. Recognizing reassurance loops reframes victimization as psychological conditioning rather than personal failure.
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.
The Invisible Cage: How Reassurance Loops Create Devotion in Relationship Scams
The Reassurance Loop is among the most effective psychological mechanisms used in relationship scams as a manipulation pattern.
Unlike overt coercion or explicit threats, reassurance loops operate quietly, shaping Read More …
Dehydration and Increased Vulnerability to Scams – 2026
Dehydration and Increased Vulnerability to Scams
Dehydration, the Brain, and Scam Vulnerability: A Physiological and Psychological Analysis
Primary Category: Scam Victim Physiology & 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
Dehydration directly affects physiological stability, brain function, emotional regulation, and decision making, creating conditions that increase vulnerability to manipulation and psychological harm. Insufficient fluid intake reduces blood volume, disrupts electrolyte balance, and impairs neural signaling, with early effects appearing in attention, memory, impulse control, and emotional tolerance. As dehydration progresses, prefrontal cortex regulation weakens while amygdala reactivity increases, shifting behavior toward urgency, relief-seeking, and reduced skepticism. These changes amplify susceptibility to scams, prolong entrapment during manipulation, and intensify shock and trauma responses when scams are discovered. Chronic dehydration sustains elevated stress hormones, worsens sleep disruption, and slows cognitive and emotional recovery. Proper hydration supports cerebral perfusion, hormonal balance, and neural repair, making it a foundational factor in judgment, resilience, scam prevention, and post-scam recovery.
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.
Dehydration, the Brain, and Scam Vulnerability: A Physiological and Psychological Analysis
Dehydration is often treated as a minor physical inconvenience rather than a serious neurological and psychological risk factor.
In reality, dehydration directly alters brain function, emotional regulation, judgment, impulse control, Read More …
Brothers Grimm Fairy Tales Warning Us All – Deception and Scams are Everywhere and Always Been – 2025
Brothers Grimm ‘Fairy Tales’ Warning Us All – Deception and Scams are Everywhere and Always Been
20 Brothers Grimm ‘Fairy Tales’ that Warned of Deception and Scams – Did We Listen?
Primary Category: Psychology / Mythology of Scams
Author:
• Tim McGuinness, Ph.D., DFin, MCPO, MAnth – Anthropologist, Scientist, Polymath, 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
We examine how the Brothers Grimm’s collected folk stories that served as early warnings about deception, manipulation, and misplaced trust. Their tales depicted predators who used impersonation, charm, and false promises to exploit the vulnerable, reflecting dangers that parallel modern scams. These narratives illustrated how individuals can be misled by appearances, drawn off safe paths, or persuaded by enticing illusions that mask harmful intent. This also explores how these stories can be used by parents to teach children about online risks such as impersonation, phishing, and predatory influence. Through twenty highlighted tales, the this shows recurring patterns of fraud, emotional vulnerability, and recovery, emphasizing the enduring relevance of these cautionary stories in understanding and preventing modern forms of exploitation.
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.
Brothers Grimm’s Fairy Tales Read More …
Relationship Scams’ Grief and Recovering from a Ghost – 2025
Relationship Scams’ Grief and Recovering from a Ghost
Mourning the Ghost: The Profound and Uncharted Grief of a Relationship Scam
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
The grief experienced after a relationship scam is described as a distinct and disorienting form of loss in which a victim mourns a person (a ghost) who never existed and a future that was carefully manufactured through deception. The lack of physical closure creates chronic ambiguity, leaving the mind searching for answers that cannot be found and intensifying emotional conflict between real attachment and an unreal source. Shame, betrayal, and self-blame complicate the grieving process, making healing more complex than conventional bereavement. Victims often remain trapped in loops of longing, analysis, or continued psychological connection to the fake persona. Recovery begins when victims create personal rituals that provide symbolic closure, reclaim agency, and help transition from mourning an illusion to rebuilding a grounded and truthful life.
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.
Mourning the Ghost: The Profound and Uncharted Grief of a Relationship Scam
Grief and the process of grieving is one of the most fundamental human experiences. It is the journey we undertake Read More …
Noqoìlpi, the Navajo (Diné) Trickster – Mythology of Scams – 2025
Noqoìlpi, the Navajo (Diné) Trickster
A Mythological Mirror to Modern Online Scammers and Their Victims
Primary Category: Mythology 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 uses the Navajo tale of Noqoìlpi, the Trickster Gambler, as a lens to understand modern online scams and their toll on individuals and communities. It traces how a charismatic outsider lures people with promises of easy gains, rigs the game through hidden tricks, escalates wagers until freedom is lost, and fractures social harmony. This pattern mirrors today’s phishing, romance, and crypto frauds that exploit hope, fear, and isolation. The narrative highlights victims’ intelligence and humanity, explaining how cognitive biases and manipulated trust drive escalation, while shame and silence deepen harm. It also shows the communal path back to balance through naming tactics, reporting crimes, strengthening boundaries, practicing nervous-system care, and rebuilding trust in circles of support. By pairing mythic warning with practical guidance, the piece argues that deception is ancient, recovery is communal, and vigilance, education, and shared voice restore hózhó, right relation, and dignity, online and off.
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.
Noqoìlpi, the Navajo (Diné) Trickster: A Mythological Mirror to Modern Online Scammers and Their Read More …
Quantum Mechanics of Relationship Scams – A Metaphor – 2025
Quantum Mechanics of Relationship Scams – A Metaphor
A Metaphor – Quantum Mechanics and the Recovery of Traumatized Scam Victims: A Dance of Uncertainty and Entanglement
Primary Category: Scam Victim Recovery Philosophy
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 metaphorical framework that applies concepts from quantum mechanics to the recovery of traumatized scam victims presents a unique perspective that can be useful to understand these events better. It explains how metaphors help people grasp complex, emotional experiences and shows their long history as teaching tools. Superposition and Schrödinger’s cat illustrate the uncertain period before discovery, while the act of revelation collapses uncertainty into painful clarity. Quantum entanglement is used to describe lingering psychological ties to perpetrators. The uncertainty principle reflects the difficulty of pinning down motives and facts, and wave-particle duality captures how the experience shifts in meaning over time. The piece encourages crafting personal metaphors to aid healing and describes recovery as a series of non-linear shifts akin to quantum leaps, supported by education and community resources.
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.
A Metaphor – Quantum Mechanics and the Recovery of Traumatized Scam Victims: A Dance of Uncertainty and Entanglement
What the heck does Read More …
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 …
When Children Become Victims of Scams Too – A Guide for Parents – 2025
When Children Become Victims of Scams Too – A Guide for Parents
Parents As Scam Victims: Seeing and Supporting Children As Co-Victims
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.
• 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.
Author Biographies Below
About This Article
When a scam strikes a family, children become co-victims, not bystanders. Safety returns when adults pair warmth with structure. Keep two lanes in view, the parent’s repair lane and the child’s growth lane. Restore small routines, tell the truth in simple language, and place responsibility where it belongs, on the offender, while adults lead repair. Younger children need brief reassurances and predictable days. Pre-teens need fairness they can see and a chance to help in age-fit ways. Teens need candor, privacy, clear roles, and firm digital boundaries. Guilt and shame will visit, yet steady messages, “You are safe and cared for,” and visible next steps calm the room. Schools, counselors, and community partners can align support so the child hears the same calm truth everywhere. If risk rises at home, act fast for safety, then reset. Recovery is not a straight line. It is many small returns to steadiness, celebrated out loud, “We are Read More …
Why do Scam Victims Have to Learn So Damn Much About Scams, Scammers, and Psychology? – 2025
Why do Scam Victims Have to Learn So Damn Much About Scams, Scammers, and Psychology?
A Quick Guide to Why It Matters
Primary Category: Scam Victim Recovery Psychology
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
When you become a scam victim, your instinct is to report the crime, get your money back, and move on. Unfortunately, scams do not work that way. You face an unfair but unavoidable truth: recovery requires education. You cannot just forget the experience because scams do not only steal money—they hijack your mind. Scammers exploit emotions, bypass logic, and create psychological traps that stick with you long after the scam ends. Learning about scams, scammers, and your own psychological responses becomes part of your healing. Without this knowledge, you stay vulnerable to repeat victimization, emotional paralysis, and unresolved trauma.
Toxic Guilt and Scam Victims Accepting False Responsibility For Scams – 2025
Toxic Guilt and Scam Victims Accepting False Responsibility For Scams
How Toxic Guilt Helps to Keep Scam Victims Dysfunctional – Understanding Scam Aftermath Guilt
Primary Category: Scam Victim Recovery Psychology
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
Scam victims often carry the heavy burden of toxic guilt and false responsibility, emotional patterns rooted in early life experiences where they were unfairly blamed for the feelings and failures of others. These ingrained tendencies lead many victims to internalize blame, struggle with boundary-setting, and fall into codependent relationships, making them vulnerable to manipulation and exploitation. Chronic guilt distorts their self-perception, fostering a cycle of self-blame and emotional enmeshment that persists into adulthood. Understanding these dynamics is essential for recovery.
Parasitic Mind Pathogens and Susceptibility to Social Engineering and Trust-Based Relationship Scams – 2025
Parasitic Mind Pathogens and Susceptibility to Social Engineering and Trust-Based Relationship Scams
Parasitic Mind Pathogens & Relationship Scams: Exploiting Scam Victim Vulnerabilities and Susceptibility
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.
• In part, based on the idea by Dr. Gad Saad’s concept of the Parasitic Mind
About This Article
Scammers succeed not by chance but by deliberately exploiting vulnerabilities through psychological tactics that align with natural human instincts. Drawing on Dr. Gad Saad’s concept of the Parasitic Mind, scammers introduce what can be called mind pathogens—ideas or emotional hooks that mirror evolutionary traits like emotional attunement, credibility, shared vulnerability, urgency, and persistence. These attributes, carefully constructed, bypass critical thinking and target deep-seated needs for connection, trust, and loyalty.
Victims are not deceived because they are careless; they are manipulated through mechanisms designed to develop survival and bonding. The emotional damage from these scams extends beyond financial loss, embedding shame, distrust, and isolation in the aftermath.
Reckless Behavior and Thrill-Seeking Tendencies – Personality Types and Susceptibility to Scams – 2025
Reckless Behavior and Thrill-Seeking Personality Types and Susceptibility to Scams
Reckless Behavior and Thrill-Seeking Tendencies: How They Are Affected by Trauma, and How They Lead to Increased Scam Victimization
Primary Category: Psychology of Scams
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
Reckless behavior and thrill-seeking tendencies often go unnoticed because they do not always look extreme. They can appear as impulsive decisions, risky relationships, emotional overreactions, or the urge to act quickly without thinking. These behaviors become especially significant when shaped by trauma, which alters how the brain perceives danger, reward, and emotional regulation. For trauma survivors, recklessness can serve as a way to escape emotional pain, override numbness, or feel temporarily alive. While these patterns may seem like personality flaws, they often reflect deeper coping mechanisms developed under stress. Unfortunately, these traits also increase vulnerability to scams.
Vulnerability to Scams Caused by Past Relationships is Like a River Running through Your Life Cutting Channels – 2025
Vulnerability to Scams Caused by Past Relationships is Like a River Running through Your Life, Cutting Channels
How Past Relationships Shape Your Vulnerability to Scams Like a River Cutting through the Land
Primary Category: Scam Victim Recovery Psychology
Intended Audience: Scam Victims-Survivors
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 emotional imprints that shape your internal world are formed by experiences that move through your life like rivers through land. Some of these experiences create deep cuts in your emotional terrain, affecting your sense of trust, safety, and identity. These emotional grooves influence how you respond to new situations, including scams, and can create vulnerabilities when left unexamined. Philosophical and psychological insights help explain how emotional openness, past trauma, and unmet needs shape current reactions.
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.
Family and Friends of Scam Victims – False Sense of Awareness About Scams – 2025
Family and Friends of Scam Victims – False Sense of Awareness About Scams
Does Being Around Scam Victims Provide a False Sense of Awareness About Scams and Make You More Vulnerable? Yes, it Might!
Primary Category: Psychology of Scams
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
As a spouse or family member of a scam victim in the U.S., you’re at higher risk of being scammed due to a false sense of awareness, a psychological trap where your confidence in spotting fraud makes you vulnerable. In places like Boise, Idaho, where scams are common, this overconfidence, sparked by learning about your loved one’s ordeal, can blind you to new tricks, like fake recovery services or phishing emails.
You might think you know how scammers operate after seeing your partner lose money to a romance scam, but this belief can lead you to dismiss new threats as too obvious. Stress from supporting a victim, shared exposure to fraudsters, and a belief that scams won’t happen to you amplify this risk. Scammers exploit these weaknesses, posing as trusted allies to deceive you, much like imposters hiding harmful intent. To stay safe, admit your awareness has limits, verify all requests, manage Read More …
Parkinson’s Law and Doomscrolling – Increasing Susceptibility to Scams – 2025
Parkinson’s Law and Doomscrolling – Increasing Susceptibility to Scams
Parkinson’s Law and the Doomscrolling Trap: How Excess Screen Time Erodes Judgment and Increases Vulnerability to Scams and Misinformation
Primary Category: Psychology of Scams
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
Doomscrolling on platforms like Facebook, X, Instagram, and LinkedIn may feel like harmless downtime, but Parkinson’s Law shows why it rarely stops at just a few minutes. When you allow unlimited screen time, your attention naturally expands to fill that space, leaving you mentally overstimulated and emotionally drained. This has real consequences.
From Pain to Empowerment: Using Compassion and Social Responsibility to Overcome Scams – 2025
From Pain to Empowerment: Using Compassion and Social Responsibility to Overcome Scams
Compassion and Social Responsibility: Helping Yourself and Others Recover from Scams
Primary Category: Scam Victim Recovery Psychology
Intended Audience: Scam Victims-Survivors / Family & Friends
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 face overwhelming emotions of shame, anger, and isolation, making recovery a difficult process. Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s philosophy of compassion and social responsibility offers a path forward, emphasizing the need for self-kindness and collective support. Victims must first practice self-compassion by letting go of self-blame, prioritizing emotional healing, and taking constructive action to rebuild their lives. Beyond personal recovery, they also have a responsibility to help others by sharing knowledge, providing emotional support, and encouraging responsible decision-making.
Ethical advocacy is crucial—victims must avoid public shaming, revenge-driven actions, or further emotional harm to themselves and others. Instead, responsible efforts should focus on education, scam prevention, and structured support systems. By applying both compassion and social responsibility, scam victims can turn their experiences into empowerment, fostering healing for themselves and strengthening the broader fight against fraud.
Intelligence and Susceptibility to Scams – Smarter Does Not Equal Safer – 2025
Intelligence and Susceptibility to Scams – Smarter Does Not Equal Safer
How Intelligence (and IQ) Affects Susceptibility to Emotional Manipulation in Scams
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.
• Based on the SCARS Institute’s own experience with almost 11 million scam victims
About This Article
Intelligence significantly influences a person’s susceptibility to emotional manipulation, affecting both their ability to detect deception and their vulnerability to persuasion. Individuals with lower intelligence often struggle with critical thinking, making them more prone to manipulation through emotional appeals, misinformation, and social validation. They may have difficulty recognizing logical inconsistencies, over-rely on authority figures, and make decisions based on instinct rather than analysis. People of average intelligence are somewhat aware of manipulation tactics but can still fall for sophisticated emotional persuasion, particularly under stress or pressure.
New Bankrate Survey Shows Scams Increasing – 2025
New Bankrate Survey Shows Scams Increasing
Scams Increasing and Exposure on the Rise: What the Bankrate Survey Reveals and How You Can Protect Yourself
Primary Category: Criminology
Intended Audience: General Public
Authors:
• SCARS Editorial Team – Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
• Source: https://www.bankrate.com/credit-cards/news/financial-fraud-survey/
About This Article
Financial fraud is becoming more widespread, with 34 percent of Americans experiencing a scam in the past year and 37 percent of those victims losing money, according to the Bankrate Financial Fraud Survey. Scammers are using increasingly sophisticated tactics, from fake job offers to investment fraud, exploiting emotions like fear and urgency to manipulate victims.
The survey highlights that past fraud experiences shape future expectations, with 61 percent of recent victims believing they will be targeted again. While nearly 89 percent of Americans have taken steps to protect themselves, scams continue to evolve, emphasizing the need for vigilance, financial awareness, and proactive security measures to minimize risk and prevent losses.
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.
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.
Hell Yes! Cursing Like a Pirate Can Help Scam Victims Recovery from the Trauma of Scams – 2024
Hell Yes!
Cursing Like a Pirate Can Help Scam Victims Recovery from the Trauma of Scams
Did You Know that Cursing Like a Pirate Really Helps!? It’s an Unexpected Tool for Scam Victims’ Emotional Recovery
Primary Category: Scam Victims Recovery Psychology
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
Cursing like a pirate might seem like an unconventional suggestion, but for scam victims grappling with the emotional aftermath of fraud, it can offer surprising therapeutic benefits. Victims often face overwhelming feelings of anger, shame, and guilt, compounded by emotional dysregulation caused by trauma. Embracing the playful rebellion of swearing provides a safe outlet for pent-up emotions. It helps release emotional pressure, boost mental resilience, regulate overwhelming feelings, and even stabilize mood through humor.
The Overoptimism of Gen Z Youth Almost Assures More Scams – 2024
The Overoptimism of Gen Z Youth Almost Assures More Scams
Sorry Gen Z, You are Going to be Scammed at a Rate 10x that of the Elderly! Why Gen Z and Millennials’ Overconfidence in Handling Fraud May Be Unrealistic—and Costly
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
Gen Z and Millennials are facing fraud at alarming rates, partly due to overconfidence in their ability to spot scams and protect themselves online. This overconfidence is largely driven by cognitive biases and logical fallacies, such as optimism bias, which leads them to believe that bad things won’t happen to them, and the Dunning-Kruger effect, where limited knowledge makes them feel overly secure in handling fraud. Additionally, logical fallacies like “appeal to tech savviness” make them assume that tech familiarity equals fraud prevention skills.
Ask Yourself Why? Would the United States Allow Scams? 2024
Ask Yourself Why? Would the United States Allow Scams?
Because the Simple Truth is that Victims are Easier to Control – That is the lesson taught by every Real Tyrant – from Communism to Socialism
Primary Category: Editorials & Commentary
Authors:
• Tim McGuinness, Ph.D., DFin, MCPO, MAnth – Anthropologist, Scientist, Polymath, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
About This Article
The U.S. government’s response to escalating scams raises concerns about possible motives for allowing such widespread victimization. Despite the resources to curb fraud, Americans are losing trillions annually to scams, suggesting intentional negligence or strategic inaction.
Possible motives include using scam-related data for surveillance, securing funding for cybersecurity agencies, and avoiding regulation on Big Tech, which profits from scam-prone platforms.
Some speculate this leniency aligns with a socialist-driven agenda of informal wealth redistribution, where money flows from wealthy Americans to scammers in poorer countries.
Chatbots a New Evolution – Are They Romance Scams in Another Form? Part 2 – 2024
Chatbots a New Evolution – Are They Romance Scams in Another Form?
Chatbots: The Evolution, Capabilities, and Risks – But Are They Really Just a New Form of Romance Scam?
The Second Article in our Series About the Dangers of Chatbots
Chatbots Part 2 :: Part 1 : 2 : 3 : 4 : 5
Primary Category: Artificial Intelligence
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 tragic case of a 14-year-old’s suicide after interacting with the Character.ai chatbot has raised serious concerns about the potential for AI chatbots to cause severe emotional distress.
These chatbots, while designed to simulate human empathy, lack the ethical and emotional understanding necessary to handle complex emotional states. This creates a dangerous feedback loop where vulnerable users, particularly those experiencing mental health challenges, may receive responses that validate or amplify harmful thoughts, rather than offering real support.
The incident underscores the need for stronger ethical guidelines, proper oversight, and built-in safeguards to protect users from such potentially dangerous interactions.
Subliminal Messaging and Scams – A Deeper Look – 2024
Subliminal Messaging and Scams – A Deeper Look
How Scammer’s Subliminal Messaging Works on the Brain of Scam Victims: An In-Depth Exploration
Part 2 of a 2-Part Series – Part 1 is on RomanceScamsNOW.com
Primary Category: Psychology of Scams
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
Subliminal messaging works by presenting stimuli—whether visual or auditory—that are below the threshold of conscious awareness, meaning they are perceived subconsciously. The brain processes these inputs using sensory systems like the visual and auditory cortices, while regions such as the amygdala and hippocampus handle emotional responses and memory integration.
These subliminal messages can influence thoughts, emotions, and behaviors by activating existing associations or “priming” the brain for specific actions. Scammers use these techniques to manipulate victims in relationship scams, embedding subtle emotional triggers in their communication to deepen control.
Game Theory and Online Scams – 2024
Game Theory and Online Scams
Understanding and Reducing the Risks of Online and Phones Scams
Subtitle
Primary Category: Mechanics 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
Game theory provides valuable insights into the strategies used by both scammers and potential victims in online scams.
Scammers manipulate their targets through urgency, deception, and emotional exploitation to maximize their gains. Victims, on the other hand, are in a position of uncertainty and must decide whether the situation is legitimate or fraudulent. By applying game theory principles, victims can develop strategies such as increasing skepticism, verifying information, delaying decisions, and focusing on long-term risks rather than short-term gains.
This approach helps individuals better navigate the strategic “game” of online scams, reducing their vulnerability to fraud.
Disinformation, Spam, and Scams are Making People More Susceptible to Scams – 2024
Disinformation, Spam, and Scams are Making People More Susceptible to Scams
The Impact of Disinformation, Spam, and Scam on Scam Victim Vulnerability to Scams: How Disinformation Overload Numbs the Mind to Real Dangers
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
The constant bombardment of disinformation and information overload can numb individuals’ awareness to real dangers, such as scams and fraud. With the overwhelming amount of content we face daily, our ability to critically evaluate and process important information diminishes. Disinformation, like spam, confuses and desensitizes us, often leading to cognitive fatigue, reduced attention, and emotional manipulation.
This leaves individuals more vulnerable to scams, as they struggle to discern truth from deception amidst the clutter. Critical thinking, careful evaluation, and mindful information consumption are key defenses against this disorienting environment, helping people regain focus and protect themselves from fraudulent schemes.
We are at Scams and Freedom Crossroads – an Editorial – 2024
We are at Scams and Freedom Crossroads
An Editorial About the Freedoms We May be Giving Up to Combat Scams!
Primary Category: Editorial & Commentary
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 global fight against scams and cybercrime is forcing governments to adopt increased surveillance and real-time monitoring measures that risk infringing on personal freedoms. Countries like the UK, Australia, and the U.S. are moving towards policies that allow governments and financial institutions to monitor financial transactions and personal data to prevent scams.
While these measures can enhance security, they also erode privacy and may lead to overreach. Individuals can protect themselves by advocating for privacy rights, using encrypted services, limiting data sharing, and staying informed about their digital rights. Balancing security and freedom is essential in shaping the future of online safety.
Impulsivity and the Fallacy Of Waiting a Few Seconds to Avoid Scams – 2024
Impulsivity and the Fallacy Of Waiting a Few Seconds to Avoid Scams
Impulsivity and Scam Victim’s Vulnerability: Understanding the Connection
Primary Category: Psychology of Scams
Author:
• 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
Impulsivity can deeply affect scam victims during and after a scam, making it difficult for them to recover emotionally and financially. The emotional manipulation that scammers use is designed to exploit impulsive behaviors, pushing victims into quick, unthinking decisions.
After a scam, victims often continue to experience impulsive reactions, such as rushing into new relationships or attempting to recover lost money through risky means, which only exacerbates their situation. Impulsivity also hinders recovery as victims may struggle with the patience needed for long-term healing programs.
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 …
Dark Forest Theory – Scams and Scam Victims – 2024
Dark Forest Theory – Scams and Scam Victims
Understanding a Sociological Avoidance Behavior in Scam Victims and Their Desire to Avoid Notice
Primary Category: Sociology of Scam Victimization
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 Dark Forest Theory, viewed through a sociological and anthropological lens, suggests that in environments of uncertainty or competition, entities—whether civilizations or individuals—remain hidden to avoid exposing vulnerabilities and risking exploitation or harm.
This concept is rooted in survival strategies where distrust and fear of unknown others drive defensive, secretive behavior. When applied to human interactions, particularly in the realm of scams, the theory explains why victims, after being deceived, might isolate themselves to avoid further manipulation.
Massive Increase in Losses with Bitcoin ATM Scams – 2024
Massive Increase in Losses with Bitcoin ATM Scams
New FTC Analysis Shows Crypto ATM Scams Increased Nearly 1,000% to Over $110 Million in 2023
Primary Category: News & Analysis
Author:
• SCARS Editorial Team – Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
• United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
About This Article
New data from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reveals a dramatic increase in losses due to Bitcoin ATM scams, with consumer reports showing nearly a tenfold rise since 2020, reaching over $110 million in 2023.
The first half of 2024 alone saw losses exceed $65 million, with older adults particularly vulnerable, being three times more likely to report losses than younger individuals.
Scammers commonly use Bitcoin ATMs in schemes involving government impersonation, business impersonation, and tech support scams, urging victims to deposit cash into these machines under false pretenses. This alarming trend underscores the need for increased awareness and caution when dealing with unexpected financial requests involving Bitcoin ATMs.
The Uncanny Valley and Scams – A View of Scam Victims’ Suspension of Disbelief – 2024
The Uncanny Valley and Scams – A View of Scam Victims’ Suspension of Disbelief
How these Concepts Play a Significant Role in Scams and their Impact on Scam Victims
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
With scams and deception, suspension of disbelief and the Uncanny Valley both play critical roles in how scam victims are manipulated.
Suspension of disbelief allows victims to overlook subtle inconsistencies or “off” elements in a scammer’s communication—whether it’s slightly unnatural language, odd phrasing, or even strange behavior in deepfake videos—because they are emotionally invested in the relationship or narrative presented by the scammer.
The Uncanny Valley, typically associated with unease triggered by near-human but slightly flawed entities, can also apply to written and visual communications that seem almost real but provoke a subtle discomfort.
