Boredom: A Potential Principal Cause In Online Scams & Scam Victims Vulnerability – 2024
Boredom: A Potential Principal Cause In Online Scams & Scam Victims Vulnerability
Understanding a Principal Vulnerability to Online Relationship Scams
Primary Category: Psychology of Scams
Authors:
• Vianey Gonzalez B.Sc(Psych) – Psychologist, Certified Deception Professional, Psychology Advisory Panel & Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
• Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
About This Article
Boredom plays a significant role in driving individuals towards risky online behaviors, often leading to scams and financial fraud. The study “Sounds boring: the causal effect of boredom on self-administration of aversive stimuli in the presence of a positive alternative” by Yusoufzai et al. (2024) highlights that boredom, more than loneliness, compels people to engage in adverse online interactions.
Despite being aware of potential risks, the overwhelming desire to escape boredom prompts individuals to seek stimulation in unsafe ways. Scammers exploit this vulnerability, making boredom a key factor in online fraud.
