The Matthew Principle and Scammers Getting Richer – 2024

The Matthew Principle and Scammers Getting Richer

The Economic ‘Matthew Principle’ Applies to Companies, People, and Strangely to Scammers & Victims Too!

Primary Category: Online Criminology

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

About This Article

The Matthew Principle, which describes how “the rich get richer and the poor get poorer,” applies not only to economics, education, and science but also to online scammers and their victims.

Successful scammers, who accumulate resources, knowledge, and connections, become increasingly effective and target larger, more vulnerable victims. As they grow, their operations scale up, making them harder to detect and stop, while victims who have already been scammed are more likely to be targeted again.

Nigeria’s Black Axe – A New Global Scam Mafia is Spreading – 2024 [VIDEO]

Nigeria’s Black Axe – A New Global Scam Mafia is Spreading

The Stark Reality of One of the World’s Deadliest Crime Syndicates!

Primary Category: Crimes & Criminals

Authors:
• SCARS Editorial Team – Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
• Portions Translated from Deutsche Welle
• Post main image source: BBC – copyright acknowledged

About This Article

The Black Axe is one of the world’s most dangerous criminal organizations, with roots in Nigeria but an extensive global reach. Much of its wealth is derived from internet scams and financial fraud, often involving romance scams where victims, usually women, are deceived into sending large sums of money.

The group’s structure is complex and loosely organized, making it difficult for law enforcement to dismantle. However, recent efforts by Interpol, including Operation Jackal III, have led to significant arrests and the freezing of bank accounts, highlighting the need for international cooperation in combating such criminal networks.

Countries Are Now Using Organized Crime/Criminals To Do Bad Things! 2024

Countries Are Now Using Criminals To Do Bad Things!

Many Countries Such As India and Iran Are Using Criminals to get Bad Things Done!

Primary Category: Editorial

Author:
• SCARS Editorial Team – Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

About This Article

Some countries, such as Iran and India, are increasingly using criminal organizations like BLACK AXE to conduct covert operations, including foreign interference, targeted killings, and other illegal activities.

This strategy allows these countries to deny involvement and avoid international repercussions. The use of criminals for such purposes dates back to historical practices, like privateering under Queen Elizabeth I, but has evolved to include modern-day cybercriminals and gangs.

SCARS Editorial Team2024-07-25T19:46:49-04:00July 25th, 2024|Categories: SCARS Institute Editorial Team, 2024, CHINA (PRC), EDITORIAL / COMMENTARY, INDIA, IRAN|Tags: Bad Actors, China, Criminals, India, Iran, Organized Crime, State Sponsors|0 Comments

Gift Card Gangs From China Operating Inside The United States – 2024

Gift Card Gangs From China Operating Inside The United States

How Organized Crime Gangs from China are Operating inside the U.S.

Authors:
• Craig Silverman and Peter Elkind, ProPublica
• SCARS Editorial Team – Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

About This Article

Federal authorities are investigating the involvement of Chinese organized crime rings in gift card fraud schemes targeting American consumers, launching a task force named “Project Red Hook” to combat this growing threat. The initiative focuses on preventing “card draining,” where thieves exploit stolen or altered card numbers to siphon money before legitimate owners can use them.

Over the past 18 months, law enforcement has arrested about 100 individuals for card draining, with the majority being Chinese nationals or Chinese Americans. The schemes, estimated to have stolen hundreds of millions of dollars, highlight the need for industry collaboration and heightened security measures.

SCARS Editorial Team2024-04-12T13:14:37-04:00April 12th, 2024|Categories: • CRIMES & CRIMINALS, 2024, Additional Authors, ARTICLE, ProPublica, SCARS Institute Editorial Team, USA|Tags: China, Gangs, Gift Card, Gift Card Tampering Scams, Organized Crime|0 Comments

Southeast Asia Scam Gangs – SCARS Editorial – 2024

Southeast Asia Scam Gangs

A SCARS Editorial

Author:
• SCARS Editorial Team – Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

About This Article

The rise of Southeast Asian Scam Gangs presents a global threat, defrauding countless victims and perpetuating criminal activities. While governments like the U.K. and China are taking action, U.S. attention remains diverted.

However, Washington’s involvement is crucial. These transnational criminal organizations wield substantial economic power, necessitating enhanced law enforcement support.

SCARS Editorial Team2024-03-17T19:10:26-04:00March 17th, 2024|Categories: • CRIMES & CRIMINALS, 2024, EDITORIAL / COMMENTARY, SCARS Institute Editorial Team, SOUTHEAST ASIA, USA|Tags: Editorial, Organized Crime, Scam Gangs, Scam Slavery, Southeast Asia|0 Comments

UK Money Mules New Plan Of Action To Disrupt Organized Crime – 2024

UK Money Mules New Plan Of Action

Biggest ever Crackdown on Money Mules in the UK

Efforts to disrupt money mule activity and support exploited victims will be strengthened through a new action plan.

Author:
• Government of the United Kingdom, Home Office
• SCARS Editorial Team – Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

About This Article

The Security Minister, Tom Tugendhat, unveiled a comprehensive 22-point action plan aimed at strengthening efforts to combat money mule activity and support exploited victims. With a focus on raising awareness of child financial exploitation and enhancing joint working to identify complicit mules through intelligence sharing, the plan addresses the growing threat posed by these criminal networks.

Money mules, individuals who facilitate the movement of illegally obtained funds for criminals, pose a significant challenge, with Cifas estimating 37,000 bank accounts demonstrating mule behavior in 2023.

SCARS Editorial Team2024-03-03T00:58:37-05:00March 3rd, 2024|Categories: • GOVERNMENT / REGULATORY, 2024, NEWS, SCARS Institute Editorial Team, UK, UK Government|Tags: Government, Money Mules, Organized Crime, Plan of Action, UK|0 Comments

EUROPOL Action Against European Money Laundering Operations – 2024

EUROPOL Action Against European Money Laundering Operations

Law Enforcement Actions Against Organized Crime in Europe

Authors:
• SCARS Editorial Team – Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
• EUROPOL

About This Article

Judicial and law enforcement authorities from Italy, Latvia, and Lithuania have collaborated to dismantle a large-scale money laundering operation, orchestrated through a Lithuanian financial institution, with over EUR 2 billion laundered since 2017.

The operation involved two main suspects who offered money laundering services online to criminals worldwide, resulting in their detention along with 16 others. Facilitated by Eurojust and Europol, the operation saw the freezing of over EUR 11.5 million in assets and bank accounts.

The institution facilitated fictitious transactions for various criminal activities, including tax evasion and organized crime, while one suspect defrauded Italian authorities of EUR 15 million.

SCARS Editorial Team2024-02-28T16:33:42-05:00February 28th, 2024|Categories: • CRIMINAL JUSTICE, 2024, EUROPOL, NEWS, SCARS Institute Editorial Team|Tags: EUROPOL, Money Laundering, Organized Crime|0 Comments

$3.1 Trillion – Recovering Transnational Organized Crime Profits – Reimagining the World – An Essay – 2024

$3.1 Trillion – Recovering Organized Crime Profits – Reimagining the World

An Essay

How We Can Make A Better World

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

About This Article

Reclaiming the $3.1 trillion lost yearly to transnational organized crime could fuel massive societal transformation.

Redirecting these funds towards education, healthcare, infrastructure, and environmental conservation could spark progress globally. Achieving this vision requires disrupting criminal networks, enhancing law enforcement cooperation, and implementing robust policy reforms. It starts with awareness, commitment, and collective action to reclaim the potential hidden within those lost trillions from transnational organized crime.

SCARS Editorial Team2024-02-06T08:04:39-05:00February 6th, 2024|Categories: • ADVOCACY / POLICY, • FEATURED ARTICLE, 2024, EDITORIAL / COMMENTARY, Tim McGuinness PhD|Tags: $3.1 Trillion, Organized Crime, Transnational Organized Crime|0 Comments

Organized Crime

The Matthew Principle and Scammers Getting Richer

The Economic ‘Matthew Principle’ Applies to Companies, People, and Strangely to Scammers & Victims Too!

Primary Category: Online Criminology

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

About This Article

Nigeria’s Black Axe – A New Global Scam Mafia is Spreading

The Stark Reality of One of the World’s Deadliest Crime Syndicates!

Primary Category: Crimes & Criminals

Authors: • SCARS Editorial Team – Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. • Portions Translated from Deutsche Welle • Post main image source: BBC – copyright acknowledged

About This Article

Countries Are Now Using Criminals To Do Bad Things!

Many Countries Such As India and Iran Are Using Criminals to get Bad Things Done!

Primary Category: Editorial

Author: • SCARS Editorial Team – Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

About This Article

Gift Card Gangs From China Operating Inside The United States

How Organized Crime Gangs from China are Operating inside the U.S.

Authors: • Craig Silverman and Peter Elkind, ProPublica • SCARS Editorial Team – Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

About This Article

Southeast Asia Scam Gangs

A SCARS Editorial

Author: • SCARS Editorial Team – Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

About This Article

UK Money Mules New Plan Of Action

Biggest ever Crackdown on Money Mules in the UK

Efforts to disrupt money mule activity and support exploited victims will be strengthened through a new action plan.

Author: • Government of the United Kingdom, Home Office • SCARS Editorial Team – Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

About This Article

EUROPOL Action Against European Money Laundering Operations

Law Enforcement Actions Against Organized Crime in Europe

Authors: • SCARS Editorial Team – Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. • EUROPOL

About This Article

$3.1 Trillion – Recovering Organized Crime Profits – Reimagining the World

An Essay

How We Can Make A Better World

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

About This Article

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

Authors:
• SCARS Editorial Team – Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
• Portions Translated from Deutsche Welle
• Post main image source: BBC – copyright acknowledged

Author:
• SCARS Editorial Team – Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

Authors:
• Craig Silverman and Peter Elkind, ProPublica
• SCARS Editorial Team – Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

Author:
• SCARS Editorial Team – Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

Author:
• Government of the United Kingdom, Home Office
• SCARS Editorial Team – Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

Authors:
• SCARS Editorial Team – Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
• EUROPOL

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