Scam Victim Scammer Obsession – Part 1
The Obsessive Focus of Scam Victims on Scammers is Unhealthy!
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
Nearly a quarter of scam victims develop an obsessive focus on scammers, fake profiles, and scam details as a negative coping mechanism to manage their trauma. This obsession provides a temporary sense of control and purpose, distracting from the emotional pain and feelings of betrayal.
The need to “do something,” often driven by a desire for justice or validation, can prevent victims from processing their emotions and moving forward in recovery. This fixation can lead to heightened stress, anxiety, and isolation, as victims become consumed with uncovering and exposing scammers.
To break this cycle, it’s crucial for victims to recognize this behavior as harmful and seek healthier ways to cope, such as professional counseling, structured support groups, and personal growth activities.
By shifting focus from the external elements of the scam to their own healing, victims can begin to rebuild their lives and move beyond the trauma.
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 Note About Labeling!
We often use the term ‘scam victim’ in our articles, but this is a convenience to help those searching for information in search engines like Google. It is just a convenience and has no deeper meaning. If you have come through such an experience, YOU are a Survivor! It was not your fault. You are not alone! Axios!
The Obsessive Focus of Scam Victims on Scammers: A Negative Coping Mechanism for Trauma
It’s estimated that nearly a quarter of scam victims develop an obsessive focus on the scammers, fake profiles, and the details of the scam itself.
This behavior serves as a coping mechanism (maladaptive coping mechanism,) a way to deflect from the deep trauma they have experienced. The need to “do something” becomes a driving force, providing a sense of purpose and control amidst the chaos and helplessness they feel.
Understanding the Obsession
After falling victim to a scam, the shock and betrayal can be overwhelming. Many victims find themselves replaying the events, questioning how they could have been deceived, and seeking answers to make sense of what happened. This can lead to an obsessive focus on the scammers and the details of the scam. Victims may spend countless hours searching for information about the perpetrators, exposing fake profiles, or engaging in online forums where scams are obsessively discussed.
This obsession serves as a distraction from the intense emotional pain associated with the scam. By concentrating on the external aspects of the scam—the scammers and their tactics—victims can momentarily escape the internal turmoil of guilt, shame, and anger. The act of investigating and exposing scammers provides a temporary sense of agency and control, which can be comforting when victims feel powerless and violated.
The Need to “Do Something”
For many victims, the drive to expose scammers is fueled by a desperate need to “do something” in response to the trauma they have experienced. This need often stems from a desire for justice or revenge, as well as a wish to prevent others from falling victim to similar scams. It can also be a way to validate their experience, proving to themselves and others that the scam was real and that they were not simply naïve or foolish.
However, while this focus can provide short-term relief, it comes at a huge psychological cost.
The obsessive behavior can prevent victims from fully processing their emotions and moving forward with their recovery. It can also perpetuate a state of heightened stress and anxiety, as they are constantly exposed to reminders of the trauma. In some cases, this fixation can lead to further isolation and withdrawal from supportive relationships, as the victim becomes consumed by their quest to uncover and expose scammers.
It also surrounds them with like-minded obsessive individuals who form an echo chamber where rational approaches to recover are shot down in favor of chasing justice.
Moving Beyond the Obsession
To move beyond this obsessive focus, it is important for victims to recognize it as a negative coping mechanism and to seek healthier ways to process their emotions.
Professional support providers (such as SCARS Institute) and counseling or therapy can be invaluable in helping victims work through their feelings and develop more constructive coping strategies.
Support groups or community resources can also provide a safe space for victims to share their experiences and receive validation without becoming fixated on the scam. However, unless a support group is managed by professionals, it just becomes another echo chamber filled with urban legends, false information, and anti-scammer hate.
Focusing on personal growth and self-care is the crucial step in the recovery process. Engaging in activities that promote well-being, such as exercise, creative pursuits, or mindfulness practices, can help victims reconnect with themselves and their interests, fostering a sense of normalcy and hope. It’s also important for victims to set boundaries with their involvement in exposing scammers, ensuring that it does not overshadow other aspects of their lives or hinder their healing.
Ultimately, while the drive to expose scammers and seek justice is understandable, it is essential for victims to work on letting it go so they can focus on their own recovery and well-being. By shifting their focus from the external to the internal, and by prioritizing their own healing journey, victims can begin to rebuild their lives and move beyond the trauma of the scam.
Moving Forward
Letting go and moving forward begins with factual knowledge about these crimes, the criminals, and what they do to victims. SCARS recommends the following:
- Start learning properly at www.ScamVictimsSupport.org
- Sign up for FREE professional support services at support.AgainstScams.org
- Learn the facts to empower your recovery by enrolling in the FREE Scam Survivor’s School at www.SCARSeducation.org
- Find counseling or trauma therapy at counseling.AgainstScams.org
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.
-/ 30 /-
What do you think about this?
Please share your thoughts in a comment above!
-/ 30 /-
What do you think about this?
Please share your thoughts in a comment above!
SCARS LINKS: AgainstScams.org RomanceScamsNOW.com ContraEstafas.org ScammerPhotos.com Anyscam.com ScamsNOW.com
reporting.AgainstScams.org support.AgainstScams.org membership.AgainstScams.org donate.AgainstScams.org shop.AgainstScams.org
youtube.AgainstScams.org linkedin.AgainstScams.org facebook.AgainstScams.org
ARTICLE RATING
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CATEGORIES
MOST POPULAR COMMENTED ARTICLES
POPULAR ARTICLES
U.S. & Canada Suicide Lifeline 988
![NavyLogo@4x-81[1]](https://scamsnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/NavyLogo@4x-811.png)
ARTICLE META
WHAT PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT LATEST SITE COMMENTS
See Comments for this Article at the Bottom of the Page
on WARNING – Scam Victims Exploited By The News Media – 2024 [UPDATED 2025]: “The article highlights some important information for victims who after years of recovery/support feel “ready” to talk to the media…” Jul 28, 18:54
on WARNING – Scam Victims Exploited By The News Media – 2024 [UPDATED 2025]: “Thank you for this explanation of the potential added on trauma a survivor could be exposed to. Definitely not worth…” Jul 21, 17:13
on Acknowledging The Harm Done – 2025: “Well written article explaining the harm done and why it is necessary to acknowledge it. In part it helped me…” Jul 21, 16:57
on Dear Scam Victim Family & Friends – You Are Also Scam Victims – 2024: “A scam is hard on everyone who loves and cares for the victim. The survivor goes through a lot to…” Jul 21, 14:04
on A Scam Victim in Extreme Distress – Stopping the Pain – 2024: “Jina, we redacted your comments since they do not comply with our policies. However, this does not invalidate what happened…” Jul 20, 21:45
on Waiting to See if Someone is Real – Take a Pause First – 2025: “The pause remains important…actually now the pause is critical. There is nothing, not a financial gain, an item, a meeting,…” Jul 20, 19:55
on Hate for Scammers and Criminals Feels So Good But is So Bad for Scam Victims – 2025: “I struggled for months with forgiveness. Forgiving myself and the criminals. About two months ago I prayed and forgave the…” Jul 20, 16:24
on The Paradox of Pain – 2025: “This is a great article and holds significance for me. Initially after my crime I felt such pain. It would…” Jul 20, 12:19
on A Scam Victim in Extreme Distress – Stopping the Pain – 2024: “[REDACTED FOR POLICY REASONS]” Jul 20, 11:40
on The Unique Injury Of Betrayal Trauma On Scam Victims – 2024: “It will come as recovery progresses, but stopping and then restarting recovery after years makes it harder. Just keep learning…” Jul 19, 21:10
on Waiting to See if Someone is Real – Take a Pause First – 2025: “Very valuable information for all /including myself/ who still struggle with their own impulsive reactions.” Jul 19, 06:21
on The Unique Injury Of Betrayal Trauma On Scam Victims – 2024: “It’s so hard to recover the compassion and reliability in the daily communication with others especially the scam trauma was…” Jul 18, 19:38
on Aren’t We All The Same? Aren’t We All Just Meat-Robots? An essay on Humanity by Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. – 2025: “excelente!!! la claridad y la profundidad del análisis son realmente impresionantes. Me aportó mucho leerlo. totalmente de acuerdo entre la…” Jul 16, 11:17
on Savior Syndrome And The Negative Consequences To Them And Other Scam Victims – 2023: “We must heal ourselves before trying to help or heal others. It is easy to get caught up in the…” Jul 16, 11:13
on Anger & Self-Radicalization – Recovery Psychology 2023: “Anger can be useful but most often it is destructive on the individual, their family and friends. I like that…” Jul 16, 10:59
on Residual Fear In Scam Victims – 2024 [UPDATED 2025]: “Thank you for another fantastic SCARS article! I have felt some fear lately, that has caused me to feel tense…” Jul 16, 10:10
on Living in the Invisible Safety Bubble – 2025: “Enlightening, thought provoking, and another SCARS article that gives me pause. Recovery is a process and takes time. In a…” Jul 16, 07:46
on Living in the Invisible Safety Bubble – 2025: “We have too many kinds of scams in Japan. Recently, there are impersonation scam of “fake Cardinal account” gathering fraud…” Jul 16, 07:27
on Motte and Bailey – A Cognitive Pattern & Defense Mechanism that Inhibits Honest Acceptance – 2025: “Important information for reflection for any survivor : -to what extent the Motte & Bailey method is present / still…” Jul 16, 07:21
on Arts and Crafts Can Significantly Aid in Recovery for Scam Victims – 2025: “Right after the scam, I didn’t want to do anything. I felt defeated and ashamed—as if I had betrayed both…” Jul 16, 00:01
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
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
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 not to blame themselves, better develop recovery programs, and 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 INSTITUTE RESOURCES:
If You Have Been Victimized By A Scam Or Cybercrime
♦ If you are a victim of scams, go to www.ScamVictimsSupport.org for real knowledge and help
♦ Enroll in SCARS Scam Survivor’s School now at www.SCARSeducation.org
♦ To report criminals, visit https://reporting.AgainstScams.org – we will NEVER give your data to money recovery companies like some do!
♦ Follow us and find our podcasts, webinars, and helpful videos on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RomancescamsNowcom
♦ Learn about the Psychology of Scams at www.ScamPsychology.org
♦ Dig deeper into the reality of scams, fraud, and cybercrime at www.ScamsNOW.com and www.RomanceScamsNOW.com
♦ Scam Survivor’s Stories: www.ScamSurvivorStories.org
♦ For Scam Victim Advocates visit www.ScamVictimsAdvocates.org
♦ See more scammer photos on www.ScammerPhotos.com
You can also find the SCARS Institute on Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, and TruthSocial
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.
More ScamsNOW.com Articles
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.
Leave a Reply