Grooming — Grooming is the gradual process through which a criminal builds trust, attachment, access, and influence before intensifying exploitation. The criminal studies needs and vulnerabilities while normalizing secrecy, dependency, urgency, and sacrifice. Understanding grooming explains how manipulation develops incrementally rather than appearing as one obvious act of deception. — Manipulation Tactic

Added September 27, 2026

Grooming — Grooming is the deliberate process of building trust and emotional dependence to prepare a victim for exploitation. Scammers combine personal attention, shared interests, supporting stories, romantic promises, and isolation. They return to grooming whenever doubt or resistance threatens continued access to the victim. — Psychological Manipulation

Added October 15, 2026