Projection and the Criminal Mindset – Why the Corrupt Blame the Victims
It is Very Common for Criminals and the Corrupt to Blame the People that they Victimized, and Make Themselves Out to Be the Victims! This Technique is Known as DARVO!
Primary Category: Psychology of Scams
Intended Audience: Scam Victims-Survivors / Family & Friends / General Public / Others
Author:
• Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
About This Article
Criminals and corrupt individuals often engage in psychological manipulation tactics, most notably DARVO—Deny, Attack, and Reverse Victim and Offender—to evade accountability and shift blame onto their victims. This behavior is rooted in psychological projection, a defense mechanism where wrongdoers attribute their own immoral actions to others to maintain a sense of innocence.
By accusing victims of being at fault, perpetrators create confusion, manipulate public perception, and avoid legal or social consequences. Jordan B. Peterson has explored these tendencies, emphasizing that many offenders lack self-awareness, rationalize their behavior, and genuinely believe in the guilt of their victims. This cognitive distortion allows them to escape internal moral conflict, reinforcing their criminal actions.
Beyond narcissism and Machiavellianism, this mindset suggests a deeper psychological impairment where individuals are unable or unwilling to reflect on their wrongdoing. Recognizing these tactics—such as blame-shifting, gaslighting, and victim-perpetrator role reversal—is essential for countering manipulation, supporting victims, and ensuring accountability. Understanding how criminals justify their actions helps society develop stronger measures against fraud, corruption, and abuse, ultimately preventing further harm.
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!
What?
DARVO – The psychological phenomenon where criminals or corrupt individuals accuse their victims of the same behavior they are engaged in is known as projection. Projection is a defense mechanism first identified by Sigmund Freud, in which individuals attribute their own unacceptable thoughts, feelings, or behaviors to others. In this context, a scammer, fraudster, or corrupt individual might accuse their victim of dishonesty, gullibility, or wrongdoing to shift blame away from themselves and maintain a sense of control.
This type of projection is often combined with gaslighting, a manipulative tactic in which the perpetrator distorts reality to make the victim question their perception of events. It can also be linked to psychological displacement, where a person redirects their own negative traits or intentions onto someone else as a way to deflect accountability.
In some cases, this behavior is also associated with DARVO (Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim and Offender), a concept identified in research on abuse and manipulation. The perpetrator denies wrongdoing, attacks the credibility of the victim, and then reverses the roles to make themselves appear as the victim while painting the actual victim as the aggressor.
This tactic is commonly used by fraudsters, corrupt officials, and abusers as a way to manipulate public perception, avoid consequences, and discredit those who seek to hold them accountable.
The Criminal Mindset: Why Criminals and the Corrupt Accuse Their Victims
One of the most troubling aspects of criminal and corrupt behavior is the tendency of perpetrators to shift blame onto their victims. Whether in financial fraud, political corruption, corporate misconduct, or personal deception, wrongdoers frequently accuse their victims of the very behavior they themselves engage in. A scammer might claim that the victim was greedy, a corrupt official might blame whistleblowers for instability, or an abuser might insist that the victim provoked them. This tactic is more than just deflection—it is a deliberate psychological maneuver that serves multiple functions, from self-preservation to manipulation and control.
Understanding Projection and Psychological Deflection
At the core of this behavior is projection, a psychological defense mechanism where an individual attributes their own thoughts, behaviors, or motives to someone else. Instead of acknowledging their wrongdoing, criminals and corrupt individuals accuse their victims of being dishonest, careless, or complicit in the crime. This allows them to shift responsibility away from themselves while maintaining a false sense of superiority or innocence.
For example, a scammer who deceives someone out of their life savings may accuse the victim of being reckless with money or greedy for falling for the scheme. A corrupt politician caught in an embezzlement scandal might accuse investigators of conducting a “witch hunt” rather than facing accountability. In corporate fraud, executives who manipulate financial reports often claim that regulators or whistleblowers are the ones undermining the company’s stability.
This tactic serves multiple purposes. By putting the victim on the defensive, the perpetrator diverts attention from their own actions. If the victim is forced to explain or defend themselves, the focus shifts from the crime itself to whether the victim’s behavior contributed to the wrongdoing. This allows criminals and corrupt individuals to continue their deception while creating doubt about who the real wrongdoer is.
The Role of DARVO: Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim and Offender
Another common strategy criminals and corrupt individuals use is DARVO—Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim and Offender. This tactic is frequently seen in cases of fraud, abuse, and corruption. The perpetrator denies wrongdoing, attacks the credibility of the victim, and then flips the narrative to portray themselves as the true victim.
This can be seen in cases of financial fraud, where scammers claim that they were tricked by the victim, rather than the other way around. It also appears in corporate and political corruption, where leaders facing scrutiny argue that they are being unfairly targeted, sometimes even portraying whistleblowers or investigators as the corrupt ones.
DARVO is effective because it creates confusion and forces the victim into a defensive position. If the victim is constantly trying to prove their innocence, they are less likely to focus on holding the perpetrator accountable. This tactic also leverages public perception—people are often inclined to believe the more confident party, which gives criminals and corrupt individuals an advantage when they aggressively push their counter-narrative.
Why Criminals and Corrupt Individuals Accuse Their Victims
This pattern of accusing victims serves several psychological and strategic purposes.
Avoiding Responsibility – The most obvious reason for shifting blame is to escape accountability. By accusing the victim, the perpetrator creates doubt about their own culpability, making it harder for investigators, the media, or the public to hold them responsible.
Protecting Their Ego – Criminals and corrupt individuals often see themselves as superior, cunning, or untouchable. Accepting responsibility for wrongdoing would shatter their self-image. Projection allows them to continue believing they are in control while convincing themselves that the victim is the real problem.
Manipulating Public Perception – If a scammer, fraudster, or corrupt figure can make their accusations stick, they may be able to convince the public that they are the real victim. This is particularly effective when they have influence over media narratives, social circles, or organizational structures.
Gaslighting the Victim – By making victims question their own actions, criminals manipulate them into self-doubt. If a victim starts to believe they were partially at fault, they are less likely to pursue justice or warn others. This is especially common in scams, where victims may feel embarrassed or ashamed and choose not to report the crime.
Maintaining Power and Control – Shifting blame reinforces the perpetrator’s control over the situation. If they can dictate the narrative, they can control how people react to their crimes, often keeping victims silent and discouraging others from taking action.
Real-World Examples
This tactic appears in multiple areas of crime and corruption.
Scammers and Financial Fraud – Investment fraudsters frequently tell victims they should have been more careful, implying that their loss was due to their own ignorance rather than deception.
Corporate Corruption – Executives involved in financial scandals often accuse regulators of overreach or blame whistleblowers for damaging the company’s reputation.
Political Corruption – Politicians accused of bribery or misconduct may claim that their opponents are the true corrupt figures, using the legal system for political attacks.
Domestic Abuse and Manipulation – Abusers often tell victims that they provoked the abuse, making them question their own role in the situation.
Online Scams and Cybercrime – Hackers or online fraudsters sometimes claim that victims were careless with their personal information as if being deceived was their fault.
Do Criminals Truly Believe They Are Innocent?
One of the more complex aspects of criminal and corrupt behavior is the possibility that perpetrators genuinely believe they are not in the wrong. While some knowingly engage in deception for personal gain, others may operate with a deeply ingrained psychological framework that prevents them from perceiving their own actions as unethical or illegal. This goes beyond classic narcissism or Machiavellianism—it is a self-reinforcing cognitive distortion that allows them to justify their behavior while blaming their victims.
The Self-Justification of Wrongdoing
Many criminals do not see themselves as criminals. Instead, they develop rationalizations that allow them to maintain a positive self-image while engaging in harmful behavior. This process often includes:
Moral Licensing – Some individuals believe they are entitled to bend the rules because of past hardships or perceived injustices they have suffered. A corrupt official might think, “I’ve worked hard for this position, so I deserve these extra benefits.”
Distorted Ethics – Rather than seeing their actions as fraud, bribery, or theft, criminals may redefine them in their own minds. A scammer might believe they are simply “playing the game” in a world where “everyone cheats.”
Dehumanization of Victims – To avoid guilt, criminals often convince themselves that their victims deserved their fate. They may see victims as naïve, greedy, or complicit in their own downfall, allowing the perpetrator to feel justified.
Cognitive Dissonance Reduction – When someone’s actions conflict with their self-perception, they must either change their behavior or change their beliefs. Many choose the latter, convincing themselves that their actions were necessary, fair, or even noble.
A Deep-Seated Psychological Blindness
In some cases, this self-deception is so deeply ingrained that the perpetrator cannot recognize their own wrongdoing. This is not simple manipulation—it is a fundamental flaw in their way of thinking. Unlike traditional narcissists who deliberately exploit others, or Machiavellians who act with cold calculation, these individuals may genuinely believe they are acting within a justified moral framework.
For example, a financial fraudster may argue that their victims were willing participants who should have “done their research.” A corrupt politician may claim that bending the rules is necessary to achieve “the greater good.” Even violent criminals may insist that their actions were provoked or unavoidable.
This deep-rooted inability to analyze their own faults may stem from:
Early Conditioning – Some individuals grow up in environments where unethical behavior is normalized, making it difficult for them to distinguish right from wrong.
Survival Mentality – Criminals who operate in high-risk environments may develop a mindset where morality is seen as a weakness rather than a guiding principle.
Ego Protection – Admitting fault would mean accepting they are not as smart, powerful, or justified as they believe. Instead, they double down on their narrative.
Implications for Justice and Rehabilitation
If criminals truly believe their actions are justified, traditional punishments may not be enough to change their behavior. Understanding this psychological framework is crucial for designing better intervention strategies. Rather than just punitive measures, rehabilitation efforts may need to focus on challenging cognitive distortions and forcing perpetrators to confront the real impact of their actions.
Ultimately, whether through willful manipulation or genuine self-deception, criminals and corrupt individuals will continue to shift blame onto their victims unless their thought processes are exposed and disrupted. Recognizing this blind spot in the criminal mindset is key to dismantling the cycles of fraud, corruption, and deception that allow such individuals to operate with impunity.
Understanding DARVO: How Criminals and Manipulators Shift Blame Onto Their Victims
DARVO—an acronym for Deny, Attack, and Reverse Victim and Offender—is a psychological manipulation tactic often used by criminals, corrupt individuals, and abusers to evade accountability. This strategy allows perpetrators to avoid responsibility for their actions by shifting blame onto their victims, making it appear as though the actual wrongdoers are the ones being persecuted. DARVO is a deeply ingrained psychological defense mechanism, often employed by individuals who refuse to confront their own misconduct. Understanding how and why this occurs is essential for recognizing manipulation and countering its effects.
How DARVO Works
DARVO is a three-step process that criminals, abusers, and manipulators use to maintain control over a narrative when confronted with their wrongdoing. Each stage serves a specific function in deflecting blame and distorting reality.
Deny – The first response of the perpetrator is outright denial. They insist that the crime or unethical behavior never occurred, was exaggerated, or is based on a misunderstanding. This gaslights the victim and those who are trying to hold the perpetrator accountable, making them question their own perceptions.
Attack – Once denial is in place, the perpetrator aggressively counters any accusations. They discredit the victim, accuse them of dishonesty or overreaction, and shift attention away from their own actions. This often includes smearing the victim’s credibility, calling them unstable, vengeful, or manipulative.
Reverse Victim and Offender – In the final stage, the perpetrator positions themselves as the true victim, claiming that they are being unfairly accused, persecuted, or harassed. This reversal forces the real victim into a defensive position, making it harder for them to seek justice or support.
These three steps create a psychological and social fog around the situation, causing confusion among observers and even self-doubt in the victim. By flipping the narrative, the perpetrator avoids consequences while painting themselves as the aggrieved party.
Why Criminals Use DARVO
DARVO is particularly effective because it exploits fundamental human tendencies toward fairness, doubt, and conflict avoidance. When people witness a dispute, they often assume that both sides have some legitimacy to their claims, even if one party is clearly in the wrong. Criminals, corrupt individuals, and manipulators leverage this psychological bias to muddy the waters and make it difficult for outsiders to discern the truth.
There are several reasons why perpetrators engage in DARVO:
Self-Preservation – Criminals and corrupt individuals use DARVO to avoid legal, financial, or reputational consequences. By deflecting blame, they attempt to escape accountability.
Psychological Projection – Some individuals cannot admit to themselves that they have done something wrong. Instead, they project their own immoral behavior onto their victims, accusing them of the very actions they have committed.
Manipulation of Public Perception – By reversing the roles of victim and offender, perpetrators manipulate social support networks, authorities, or even the media into sympathizing with them rather than the actual victim.
Avoidance of Guilt and Shame – For some individuals, acknowledging their wrongdoing would shatter their self-image. Instead of confronting their actions, they externalize blame onto others.
DARVO is not just a tactic of individual criminals; it is often used on a larger scale in politics, corporate scandals, and organized crime. In many cases, entire institutions engage in DARVO when facing allegations of corruption, abuse, or fraud.
The Psychological Impact of DARVO on Victims
Victims who experience DARVO often feel isolated, confused, and helpless. The strategy is designed to wear them down emotionally, making them question their own reality. Victims may experience:
Self-Doubt – When the perpetrator denies everything and turns the blame around, victims may begin to question their own perception of events.
Fear of Speaking Out – If the victim is attacked and ridiculed for coming forward, they may withdraw rather than continue to seek justice.
Emotional Distress – Being falsely accused or painted as the aggressor can cause immense stress, anxiety, and even depression.
Social Alienation – If the DARVO strategy is successful, the victim may be ostracized by their community, colleagues, or even family members who believe the perpetrator’s version of events.
This psychological manipulation can be devastating, leaving victims feeling as though they have no way to defend themselves against the lies and accusations leveled against them.
How to Recognize and Counter DARVO
Because DARVO is a deliberate tactic used to avoid accountability, recognizing it is the first step in neutralizing its effects. Some key ways to counter DARVO include:
Document Everything – Keeping detailed records of interactions, communications, and incidents can help counter false narratives.
Seek External Validation – Talking to others who have witnessed the situation or have expertise in manipulation tactics can help victims reaffirm their experiences.
Stay Calm and Focused – Perpetrators using DARVO rely on emotional reactions from victims to further paint them as irrational or aggressive. Staying composed can help counter their narrative.
Expose the Pattern – By highlighting the predictable steps of DARVO, victims can make others aware of the manipulation at play. When people recognize that the perpetrator is following a textbook pattern, they may be less likely to fall for the deception.
Legal and Professional Support – If DARVO is being used in a legal or workplace setting, consulting with lawyers, therapists, or victim advocacy organizations can provide crucial support and guidance.
DARVO is Powerful
DARVO is a powerful manipulation strategy that allows criminals and corrupt individuals to deflect blame, discredit their victims, and avoid accountability. By denying their actions, attacking their accusers, and reversing the roles of victim and offender, they create a distorted reality where they appear to be the ones suffering injustice.
Understanding how DARVO works is essential for identifying manipulation, supporting victims, and ensuring that accountability is upheld. Whether used by an individual abuser, a fraudulent business executive, or a corrupt political figure, DARVO remains one of the most effective tactics for evading responsibility. Recognizing and calling out this behavior is crucial in dismantling the false narratives that allow wrongdoing to persist unchallenged.
Applying Dr. Jordan B. Peterson’s Insights to This
Jordan B. Peterson, a clinical psychologist and professor emeritus at the University of Toronto, has extensively explored the criminal mindset, particularly focusing on the projection of one’s own unethical behaviors onto others. In his analyses, Peterson delves into the psychological mechanisms that drive individuals to deflect responsibility and accuse their victims of the very transgressions they themselves commit.
This was posted on Reddit:
FINALLY, I understand “No one gets away with anything ever”, and it’s scary.
Jordan Peterson’s maxim, “No one gets away with anything ever” was the first thing he said that grabbed my attention. It both appealed to me and frightened the hell out of me. At first, I took it as a metaphysical claim, which I understood as: If reality has an objective moral structure, and you manipulate it to your own advantage, there will necessarily be a correction later. Another way of framing it would be: You can’t cheat your contract with the Good and come out a winner. This echoes the warnings of the great religious traditions; e.g., you reap what you sow, what-goes-around-comes-around, etc. But it was never clear to me how a clinical psychologist could instruct his university students accordingly if such ideas were merely rooted in religion. But NOW I understand it much more clearly in psychological terms. There is a frightening scientific dimension to it. Basically, the more you override your conscience, manipulate people and circumstances to serve your needs, and double-down on this behavior, the more you will PATHOLOGIZE YOUR PERSONALITY (in other words, the sicker you become psychologically). At a minimum, speaking and behaving in ways that are morally pathological (i.e., speaking and acting out lies and contradictions) results in high levels of negative emotion (neuroticism). This is the “karma” that Jordan Peterson warns about. If you pathologize your personality, you will pay the price through severe neuroticism (see: Crime and Punishment). And if you go through life with a self-serving, pathological, exploitative personality, it is only a matter of time before there are material/temporal consequences, too. In either case, this is what lands people in the therapist’s office, whether or not they have any insight into the origins of their neuroticism and collapse. Even low-empathy individuals who are able to carefully construct “narrative excuses” in order to rationalize their wicked behavior run a huge risk. Such people are often unable to rationalize such pathological behavior in a way that is commensurate with the rest of their personality. This is why Jordan Peterson concedes that while psychopaths may theoretically stand a chance of “getting away with it”, they do not have good outcomes, being “quite prone” to emotional collapse and suicide.
Source: an excerpt from a talk about Carl Rogers
Understanding the Criminal Mindset
Peterson emphasizes that certain personality traits are prevalent among individuals with criminal tendencies. These traits often include high levels of disagreeableness, low conscientiousness, and a propensity for deceitfulness. Such individuals may lack empathy, making it easier for them to engage in unethical actions without remorse. This absence of guilt or self-reflection can lead them to externalize blame, accusing others of the very behaviors they exhibit.
Projection as a Defense Mechanism
One psychological concept Peterson discusses is projection, where individuals attribute their own unacceptable desires or thoughts onto others. By accusing victims of actions they themselves are guilty of, criminals can justify their behavior and maintain a facade of innocence. This mechanism allows them to avoid confronting their own moral shortcomings.
The Role of Rationalization
Peterson also highlights the process of rationalization in the criminal psyche. Offenders often create justifications for their actions, convincing themselves that their behavior is warranted. By shifting blame onto victims, they construct a narrative where they are the aggrieved party, thus alleviating any internal conflict or cognitive dissonance arising from their actions.
Lack of Self-Awareness
A critical insight from Peterson is the notion that some criminals may lack genuine self-awareness regarding their unethical conduct. This deficiency prevents them from recognizing the immorality of their actions, leading them to sincerely believe in the guilt of their victims. This profound disconnect from ethical norms underscores a deeper psychological impairment, where the individual’s internal moral compass is either underdeveloped or entirely absent.
Implications for Society
Peterson’s exploration into this aspect of the criminal mindset sheds light on the challenges faced by the justice system and society at large. Understanding that some individuals may not only engage in unethical behavior but also lack the capacity to recognize it necessitates a multifaceted approach to criminal rehabilitation and prevention. It underscores the importance of early psychological intervention and the cultivation of empathy and self-reflection to mitigate such destructive patterns.
We look to Jordan B. Peterson’s insights into the criminal mentality to reveal a complex interplay of projection, rationalization, and a lack of self-awareness. These psychological mechanisms enable individuals to deflect blame and accuse victims of their own misdeeds, perpetuating cycles of unethical behavior. Recognizing and addressing these underlying issues are crucial steps toward fostering a more just and empathetic society.
How to Counter This Manipulation
Understanding these psychological tactics is key to countering them.
Recognize the Strategy – If someone who has committed wrongdoing aggressively accuses their victim, it is likely an attempt to shift blame. Recognizing this pattern allows victims and bystanders to remain focused on the facts.
Stay Focused on the Evidence – Criminals and corrupt individuals rely on emotional manipulation. Keeping the focus on tangible evidence—financial records, legal documents, communication logs—prevents them from controlling the narrative.
Support Victims – Victims often hesitate to come forward due to shame or fear of judgment. Encouraging open discussions and creating a supportive environment can help counteract the gaslighting effect.
Expose the Pattern – Calling out projection, DARVO, and blame-shifting tactics when they occur can weaken their impact. If people recognize these strategies for what they are, they become less effective.
Hold Perpetrators Accountable – The more criminals and corrupt individuals are held accountable for their actions, the less effective these tactics become. Legal and institutional systems must prioritize exposing and prosecuting fraud and corruption rather than being swayed by false victimhood claims.
Conclusion
The tendency of criminals and corrupt individuals to accuse their victims is not random—it is a calculated psychological strategy that serves to deflect responsibility, manipulate perception, and maintain power. By accusing victims of the very actions they themselves commit, wrongdoers create confusion, prevent accountability, and perpetuate cycles of deception. Understanding this behavior is crucial for law enforcement, media, and the public to ensure that victims are heard, truth is upheld, and justice is served. Recognizing these tactics for what they are allows people to stay focused on facts, resist manipulation, and support those who have been wronged rather than enabling those who seek to escape responsibility.
Please Rate This Article
Please Leave Us Your Comment
Also, tell us of any topics we might have missed.
Thank you for your comment. You may receive an email to follow up. We never share your data with marketers.
Recent Reader Comments
on Scam Victim Resiliency – Why It Is So Much Worse After The Scam – Updated 2024: “I liked this article – I used to be resilient but in the last five years I have had trauma…” Mar 6, 21:14
on Japanese Geidō: Helping Scam Victims to Master Their Life and Art – 2025: “Thank you. I also found that art is one of the best relaxation methods and stimulators for many years.” Mar 6, 12:14
on Understanding the Artificial Barriers to Recovery that Many Scam Victims Create – 2025: “You seem to be in a deep struggle with your reality. The answer you are seeking may not be something…” Mar 3, 06:44
on Understanding the Artificial Barriers to Recovery that Many Scam Victims Create – 2025: “I keep denying that it’s a scam. I keep going back, wanting it to be real, while I know it’s…” Mar 3, 05:49
Important Information for New Scam Victims
- Please visit www.ScamVictimsSupport.org – a SCARS Website for New Scam Victims & Sextortion Victims
- SCARS Institute now offers a free recovery program at www.SCARSeducation.org
- Please visit www.ScamPsychology.org – to more fully understand the psychological concepts involved in scams and scam victim recovery
If you are looking for local trauma counselors please visit counseling.AgainstScams.org or join SCARS for our counseling/therapy benefit: membership.AgainstScams.org
If you need to speak with someone now, you can dial 988 or find phone numbers for crisis hotlines all around the world here: www.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines
A Question of Trust
At the SCARS Institute, we invite you to do your own research on the topics we speak about and publish, Our team investigates the subject being discussed, especially when it comes to understanding the scam victims-survivors experience. You can do Google searches but in many cases, you will have to wade through scientific papers and studies. However, remember that biases and perspectives matter and influence the outcome. Regardless, we encourage you to explore these topics as thoroughly as you can for your own awareness.
Statement About Victim Blaming
Some of our articles discuss various aspects of victims. This is both about better understanding victims (the science of victimology) and their behaviors and psychology. This helps us to educate victims/survivors about why these crimes happened and to not blame themselves, better develop recovery programs, and to help victims avoid scams in the future. At times this may sound like blaming the victim, but it does not blame scam victims, we are simply explaining the hows and whys of the experience victims have.
These articles, about the Psychology of Scams or Victim Psychology – meaning that all humans have psychological or cognitive characteristics in common that can either be exploited or work against us – help us all to understand the unique challenges victims face before, during, and after scams, fraud, or cybercrimes. These sometimes talk about some of the vulnerabilities the scammers exploit. Victims rarely have control of them or are even aware of them, until something like a scam happens and then they can learn how their mind works and how to overcome these mechanisms.
Articles like these help victims and others understand these processes and how to help prevent them from being exploited again or to help them recover more easily by understanding their post-scam behaviors. Learn more about the Psychology of Scams at www.ScamPsychology.org
SCARS Resources:
- Getting Started: ScamVictimsSupport.org
- FREE enrollment in the SCARS Institute training programs for scam victims SCARSeducation.org
- For New Victims of Relationship Scams newvictim.AgainstScams.org
- Subscribe to SCARS Newsletter newsletter.againstscams.org
- Sign up for SCARS professional support & recovery groups, visit support.AgainstScams.org
- Find competent trauma counselors or therapists, visit counseling.AgainstScams.org
- Become a SCARS Member and get free counseling benefits, visit membership.AgainstScams.org
- Report each and every crime, learn how to at reporting.AgainstScams.org
- Learn more about Scams & Scammers at RomanceScamsNOW.com and ScamsNOW.com
- Learn more about the Psychology of Scams and Scam Victims: ScamPsychology.org
- Self-Help Books for Scam Victims are at shop.AgainstScams.org
- Worldwide Crisis Hotlines: International Suicide Hotlines – OpenCounseling : OpenCounseling
- Campaign To End Scam Victim Blaming – 2024 (scamsnow.com)
Psychology Disclaimer:
All articles about psychology and the human brain on this website are for information & education only
The information provided in this and other SCARS articles are intended for educational and self-help purposes only and should not be construed as a substitute for professional therapy or counseling.
Note about Mindfulness: Mindfulness practices have the potential to create psychological distress for some individuals. Please consult a mental health professional or experienced meditation instructor for guidance should you encounter difficulties.
While any self-help techniques outlined herein may be beneficial for scam victims seeking to recover from their experience and move towards recovery, it is important to consult with a qualified mental health professional before initiating any course of action. Each individual’s experience and needs are unique, and what works for one person may not be suitable for another.
Additionally, any approach may not be appropriate for individuals with certain pre-existing mental health conditions or trauma histories. It is advisable to seek guidance from a licensed therapist or counselor who can provide personalized support, guidance, and treatment tailored to your specific needs.
If you are experiencing significant distress or emotional difficulties related to a scam or other traumatic event, please consult your doctor or mental health provider for appropriate care and support.
Also read our SCARS Institute Statement about Professional Care for Scam Victims – click here
If you are in crisis, feeling desperate, or in despair please call 988 or your local crisis hotline.
-/ 30 /-
What do you think about this?
Please share your thoughts in a comment below!
Leave a Reply