A Compassionate Perspective on Justice – a SCARS Institute Editorial

A Compassionate Perspective on Criminal Justice and Recovery for Scam Victims

Primary Category: Editorial and Commentary

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

About This Article

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

Criminals often come from disadvantaged or misguided backgrounds, and the cycle of crime affects everyone, including their families and communities. For victims, healing is a journey that can be interrupted by focusing solely on anger or retribution; SCARS recommends trauma counseling for those struggling with unresolved emotions. The organization also underscores the vital role victims play in fighting scams by reporting incidents, educating others, and voting for leaders who prioritize crime prevention and Big Tech regulation. SCARS is committed to supporting victims’ recovery and to reducing crime in West Africa through innovative programs to prevent recidivism.

A Compassionate Perspective on Justice and Recovery for Scam Victims

A SCARS Editorial

For victims of scams, seeing perpetrators brought to justice can feel validating. After enduring deceit, betrayal, and financial and emotional harm, the arrest of those responsible might bring a sense of relief. But while justice is essential, it’s also complex. As advocates working with victims, we strive to support a balanced perspective on justice, one that acknowledges both the relief of accountability and the broader context of loss. There’s nothing joyous about the end of any life’s potential, even one marred by criminal choices. Justice serves as a necessary response, not as an expression of vengeance. It is about fairness, restoration, and the hope that future harm can be prevented.

The damage scammers inflict on victims is profound. Scam Victims-Survivors are left facing the overwhelming emotional and financial toll of someone else’s greed or manipulation. The effects can last for years, leaving scars that go far deeper than the initial crime. Every scam victim-survivor’s experience matters and each one deserves understanding, compassion, and justice. But justice, in its truest form, is a societal process designed to restore balance—not as a reason to rejoice in someone else’s misfortune, even the misfortune of a perpetrator.

Acknowledging the tragedy in a scammer’s downfall is not about excusing their actions. Rather, it’s about recognizing that each person who chooses crime over contribution represents a lost opportunity for a productive life. Some scammers are hardened by self-interest or narcissism, others may even be psychopaths who show no remorse. But most are individuals who, under different circumstances, may have made very different choices. Perhaps out of desperation or misguided ambition, they chose a path that ultimately destroys lives—including their own. Now, they face the fair consequences of those choices. Yet, for many, this path results in a cycle of crime, incarceration, and societal costs that affect us all. Rather than a cause for celebration, it’s a reminder of the work needed to address the roots of criminal behavior.

For victims, healing from trauma is a journey, and it’s natural to experience feelings of anger, grief, and frustration along the way. These emotions are valid, particularly in light of the intense betrayal many victims feel. However, letting anger dominate will interfere with the path to recovery. Dwelling on punishment alone can shift focus from what matters most—your own healing and peace. If you find yourself consumed with thoughts of retribution or satisfaction in the downfall of others, it is probably a signal that unresolved trauma is affecting you. Speaking with a counselor or trauma specialist can offer meaningful support, helping you process these complex emotions and move forward with renewed resilience and strength. Remember, you deserve the freedom that comes with healing.

Our work at the SCARS Institute is built on the belief that victims play an essential role in this fight against scams. By reporting every incident, you help increase awareness of the problem and contribute to a stronger response from law enforcement and society. Sharing your experience with trusted individuals outside of social media allows others to truly understand the impact of these crimes, building greater compassion and empathy across communities. Voting for leaders who prioritize crime prevention and sensible regulations on Big Tech is another way victims can drive change. Major tech platforms are the very channels that scammers use to operate and victimize people, and by advocating for policies that limit these opportunities, we can reduce criminal activity and dissuade others from choosing crime.

When arrests are made, we can find relief, not in the downfall of individuals but in the hard work of law enforcement, victims, and advocates who have dedicated themselves to justice. While some criminals may never change, others might have taken a different path had they not been lured into a world of deception. The justice system exists to provide fairness and balance, holding accountable those who harm others while also acknowledging the larger societal costs of lost potential. Recognizing the humanity in these situations does not excuse or condone crime. Instead, it reminds us of the importance of addressing root causes to prevent others from choosing harmful paths in the first place.

The SCARS Institute’s Team is working in West Africa to disrupt these crimes and reduce new criminal recruitment, but also in the coming months we will be supporting the West African governments to find new solutions to recidivism.

At the SCARS Institute, our purpose is to support victims on their journey to recovery, providing guidance, resources, and compassionate advocacy. Healing is not easy, and we understand the challenges it entails. But your journey is crucial, not only for your own well-being but also for making a difference in the broader fight against online scams. Embrace this opportunity to advocate for justice, create awareness, and support others who have gone through similar experiences.

We encourage you to reflect deeply on the perspectives we’ve shared here. As always, we welcome open dialogue on this topic, encouraging respectful and thoughtful comments. Together, we can continue working toward a society that values justice, awareness, and compassion, recognizing the complexity of each individual’s journey and the importance of balanced, thoughtful justice.

If you have ideas about how to prevent convicted scammers from returning to their life of crime we would welcome the opportunity to hear them. If you have real, pragmatic, and concrete thoughts about how to reduce the number of convicted scammers who return to a life of crime, we would like to hear from you. Please share your viewpoint by emailing us at: Recidivism@againstscams.org You just might have the idea that makes all the difference in reducing crime in West Africa.

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