Synchronicities? Is There A Relationship With Scams?

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

Synchronicities: For Scam Victims Coincidences Are Everywhere! Or Are They?

What are Synchronicities?

Synchronicities are meaningful coincidences or occurrences that seemingly have no causal relationship but are deeply resonant or significant to the individuals experiencing them. These events often appear as striking coincidences, where multiple events or circumstances align in a way that feels meaningful or purposeful.

Synchronicities can have a profound impact on scam victims before, during, and after the scam. While they can contribute to the victim’s vulnerability and emotional investment during the scam, synchronicities experienced post-scam can serve as transformative moments for growth, self-reflection, and rebuilding one’s life. It is important to approach synchronicities with a balanced perspective and support victims in their journey toward healing and recovery.

Carl Jung’s View of Synchronicities

Carl Jung, a Swiss psychiatrist, and psychoanalyst, coined the term “synchronicity” to describe meaningful coincidences that are not causally related. He believed that synchronicities are not simply random events, but rather they are meaningful coincidences that have a deeper significance.

Jung believed that synchronicities are a way for the unconscious mind to communicate with the conscious mind. He believed that the unconscious mind is constantly sending us messages, but we are often not aware of them. Synchronicities are a way for the unconscious mind to get our attention and to make us aware of its messages.

Jung believed that synchronicities were not mere coincidences but rather expressions of the collective unconscious, a reservoir of shared symbols, archetypes, and experiences that underlie human consciousness. He proposed that synchronicities were the result of an underlying order or a deeper level of reality beyond the realm of cause and effect.

Jung believed that synchronicities can be interpreted in a number of ways. They can be seen as a sign from the universe, a message from our higher selves, or a confirmation of our beliefs. They can also be seen as a way for us to connect with the larger world around us.

According to Jung, synchronicities occur when an individual’s psyche is attuned to the larger patterns of the collective unconscious. They represent a bridge between the inner world of thoughts, emotions, and intuitions and the outer world of objective events. Synchronistic events often carry symbolic or archetypal meanings that can provide insights, guidance, or a sense of meaning to an individual’s life.

Jung emphasized the importance of paying attention to synchronicities and engaging with them as meaningful experiences. He saw them as opportunities for self-discovery, personal growth, and connecting with a deeper sense of purpose. By exploring the synchronicities in one’s life, individuals could gain a better understanding of their own psyche, uncover hidden aspects of themselves, and move towards individuation—the process of becoming a fully integrated and authentic self.

Jung’s view of synchronicity has been controversial. Some people believe that it is a legitimate phenomenon, while others believe that it is simply a coincidence. There is no scientific evidence to support Jung’s claims, but many people find his theory to be meaningful and helpful.

Here are some examples of synchronicities that Jung may have considered to be meaningful:

  • You are thinking about a friend you haven’t seen in years, and then you run into them on the street.
  • You have a dream about a car accident, and then the next day you hear about a car accident that happened in your neighborhood.
  • You are reading a book about a particular topic, and then you see a news article about the same topic.
  • You are thinking about a particular song, and then you hear it on the radio.

Jung believed that synchronicities are a way for us to connect with the larger world around us. They can be seen as a sign from the universe, a message from our higher selves, or a confirmation of our beliefs. If you experience a synchronicity, take some time to reflect on its meaning. What message might it be trying to tell you?

How do Synchronicities Relate to Scams & Scam Victims?

With scam victims, synchronicities can play a complex role before, during, and after the scam.

Synchronicities Before The Scam

Before falling victim to a scam, individuals may experience synchronicities that unknowingly set the stage for their susceptibility to this type of crime. These synchronicities can involve chance encounters online, serendipitous events, or a series of circumstances that align to create an environment where individuals are more susceptible to manipulation or deception.

Synchronicities During The Scam

During the scam, synchronicities can continue to manifest, further solidifying the illusion and deepening the victim’s trust in the scammer. These synchronicities may include seemingly fortuitous events that reinforce the scammer’s credibility or reinforce the victim’s emotional investment in the fraudulent relationship. They can create a sense of magical thinking or a belief that the scam is fated, which can be difficult for the victim to critically evaluate.

Synchronicities After The Scam

After the scam ends, synchronicities may take on a different significance. Victims may experience synchronistic events that trigger reflection, self-discovery, or a renewed sense of purpose. These synchronicities can act as catalysts for personal growth, leading victims to reevaluate their beliefs, priorities, and relationships. They can serve as reminders of the lessons learned from the scam and empower victims to make positive changes in their lives.

Avoiding Self-Blame

When individuals fall victim to scams, they often experience a range of emotions, including guilt, self-blame, and a sense of personal failure. They may question their judgment, intelligence, or naivety, which can significantly impact their self-esteem and overall well-being – resulting in shame and guilt.

Understanding synchronicities can offer an alternative perspective for scam victims. It helps them recognize that the circumstances leading up to their victimization involved more than just their personal choices or vulnerabilities. Synchronicities highlight the interplay between external events and their internal psychological state, suggesting that the scam was influenced by factors beyond their control.

From another point of view, synchronicities demonstrate that what victims often believe to be certainties before, during, and after the scam – and for that reason blame themselves – are really nothing but uncertainties.

By considering synchronicities, victims can shift their focus from self-blame to a broader understanding of the complex dynamics at play during the scam. They can begin to recognize that they were targeted by skilled manipulators who exploited vulnerabilities and utilized psychological tactics. This understanding can help victims reframe their self-perception, realizing that they were not responsible for the scam but rather caught in a web of deceit.

Additionally, embracing synchronicities as meaningful experiences can provide scam victims with a sense of meaning and purpose amidst their challenging circumstances. It offers an opportunity to view the scam as part of their life journey, from which they can learn, grow, and emerge stronger. Synchronicities may prompt victims to engage in self-reflection, explore their own beliefs and values, and find new directions for personal development and healing.

Final Word

Synchronicities are not hard science, they are more of a philosophical understanding of the forces at play in the universe.

it is essential to approach synchronicities with a balanced perspective, combining psychological understanding with critical thinking. While synchronicities can offer insights and alleviate self-blame, it is crucial to complement this perspective with education, support, and professional guidance. Victim blaming is never justified, and a comprehensive approach to recovery involves addressing the emotional, psychological, and practical aspects of the scam experience.

Ultimately, an understanding of synchronicities can be a tool for scam victims to shift their self-perception, foster self-compassion, and embrace the possibilities of growth and healing.

It is also important to note that synchronicities do not validate or justify the actions of scammers, nor do they absolve them of responsibility. Synchronicities are subjective experiences and should be approached with discernment and critical thinking. Victims should be encouraged to seek support, professional guidance, and education to process their experiences and gain clarity.

Synchronicities? Is There A Relationship With Scams?

PLEASE NOTE: Psychology Clarification

The following specific modalities within the practice of psychology are restricted to psychologists appropriately trained in the use of such modalities:

  • Diagnosis: The diagnosis of mental, emotional, or brain disorders and related behaviors.
  • Psychoanalysis: Psychoanalysis is a type of therapy that focuses on helping individuals to understand and resolve unconscious conflicts.
  • Hypnosis: Hypnosis is a state of trance in which individuals are more susceptible to suggestion. It can be used to treat a variety of conditions, including anxiety, depression, and pain.
  • Biofeedback: Biofeedback is a type of therapy that teaches individuals to control their bodily functions, such as heart rate and blood pressure. It can be used to treat a variety of conditions, including stress, anxiety, and pain.
  • Behavioral analysis: Behavioral analysis is a type of therapy that focuses on changing individuals’ behaviors. It is often used to treat conditions such as autism and ADHD.
    Neuropsychology: Neuropsychology is a type of psychology that focuses on the relationship between the brain and behavior. It is often used to assess and treat cognitive impairments caused by brain injuries or diseases.

SCARS and the members of the SCARS Team do not engage in any of the above modalities in relationship to scam victims. SCARS is not a mental healthcare provider and recognizes the importance of professionalism and separation between its work and that of the licensed practice of psychology.

SCARS is an educational provider of generalized self-help information that individuals can use for their own benefit to achieve their own goals related to emotional trauma. SCARS recommends that all scam victims see professional counselors or therapists to help them determine the suitability of any specific information or practices that may help them.

SCARS cannot diagnose or treat any individuals, nor can it state the effectiveness of any educational information that it may provide, regardless of its experience in interacting with traumatized scam victims over time. All information that SCARS provides is purely for general educational purposes to help scam victims become aware of and better understand the topics and to be able to dialog with their counselors or therapists.

It is important that all readers understand these distinctions and that they apply the information that SCARS may publish at their own risk, and should do so only after consulting a licensed psychologist or mental healthcare provider.

Opinions

The opinions of the author are not necessarily those of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. The author is solely responsible for the content of their work. SCARS is protected under the Communications Decency Act (CDA) section 230 from liability.

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