Secondary-Gaslighting and the Effect it has on Scam Victims’ Recovery – 2024

Secondary-Gaslighting and the Effect it has on Scam Victims

Secondary Gaslighting: How Families and Friends Can Create a Hidden Barrier for Scam Victims’ Recovery

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. – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

About This Article

Secondary gaslighting occurs when a scam victim’s experiences are invalidated or dismissed by family or friends after they’ve already been manipulated by scammers.

In the context of scam victims, this can manifest as loved ones minimizing the trauma, blaming the victim, or questioning their feelings. This further damages the victim’s emotional recovery, leading to isolation, prolonged trauma, and erosion of self-esteem.

Avoiding secondary gaslighting involves active listening, empathy, avoiding blame, and encouraging professional help to ensure a supportive environment for healing.

Scammer Control Mechanisms – Dominance and Manipulation of Scam Victims

How Scammers Maintain Control Over Their Scam Victims: Tactics, Control & Dominance – Monitoring Mechanisms, and Psychological Effects

Primary Category: Psychology of Scams

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. – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

About This Article

Scammers exert control over their victims using various psychological manipulation tactics, including monitoring online activity, requesting personal photos and screenshots, gaslighting, and creating fake crises. These techniques are designed to keep victims compliant, confused, and emotionally dependent. Victims often experience heightened anxiety, emotional exhaustion, and eroded self-esteem due to the continuous control and monitoring.

The scammers’ demands and manipulations mirror tactics used by narcissistic abusers, such as isolation, reality distortion, and undermining the victim’s sense of autonomy. Families and friends can play a crucial role in helping victims break free by offering empathetic support, avoiding judgment, and guiding them towards resources and counseling.

Gaslighting