A Desperate Scam Victim – Ann Mayers – Becomes A Bank Robber – 2024 [VIDEOS]

A Desperate Scam Victim – Ann Mayers – Becomes A Bank Robber

Ann Mayers, a Scam Victim lost her life savings and borrowed over $80,000 which she still owed. Out of Desperation, she decided to become a Bank Robber

However, the story is not as simple as it seems due to the trauma and cognitive impairment victims suffer from

Authors:
• SCARS Editorial Team – Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
• Portions WLWT5 News and other sources

About This Article

Ann Mayers, a 74-year-old Ohio woman, turned to bank robbery in desperation after falling victim to an online scam.

Police responded to a robbery at AurGroup Credit Union, where Mayers demanded cash at gunpoint. She was later found at her home and confessed to the crime, admitting recent financial losses to an unidentified online scammer. Mayers faces charges of aggravated robbery and tampering with evidence, highlighting the tragic consequences of online scams.

Such scams often Read More …

SCARS Editorial Team2024-04-29T06:10:23-04:00April 29th, 2024|Categories: • VICTIMOLOGY, • CRIMES & CRIMINALS, • FEATURED ARTICLE, 2024, NEWS, SCARS Editorial Team, Tim McGuinness PhD, USA|Tags: Ann Mayers, Bank Robber, Fairfield Ohio, Hamilton Ohio, Psychology of Scams, Scam Victim, Trauma, Victim Psychology, Victimology|

The Zeigarnik Effect On Mind And Perception – Have You Ever Noticed? A Cognitive Bias – 2024

The Zeigarnik Effect On Mind And Perception – Have You Ever Noticed? Strange Qualities Of Perception After A Scam!

A Cognitive Bias connected to many Detrimental Effects in Scam Victims

The Zeigarnik Effect is one of the Most Fundamental Cognitive Biases that most have never heard of!

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

About This Article

The Zeigarnik Effect, a cognitive bias identified by Bluma Zeigarnik, intensifies the distress of scam victims by perpetuating intrusive thoughts and emotional turmoil.

Following a scam, victims obsessively ruminate on unresolved questions and the perpetrator, fueled by a relentless pursuit of closure. Scammers exploit this bias, manipulating victims through emotional attachment and inducing impulsive actions.

In phishing scams, the Zeigarnik Effect triggers impulsive behavior as individuals seek resolution to unanswered questions. Recognizing this effect is crucial for understanding victim experiences and providing effective support.

Read Read More …

SCARS Editorial Team2024-04-16T06:52:04-04:00April 16th, 2024|Categories: • PSYCHOLOGY, 2024, ARTICLE, Tim McGuinness PhD|Tags: Cognitive Bias, Psychology of Scams, Scam Victim Recovery, Victim Psychology, Zeigarnik Effect|

The Butterfly Effect And Scam Victims – 2024

The Butterfly Effect And Scam Victims

Helping Scam Victims Understand the Causes and Effects that Create Vulnerability and Impact Recovery

An Insight into the Psychology of Scams

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

About This Article

The Butterfly Effect theory underscores the profound and unpredictable consequences that small variations in initial conditions can have on individuals victimized by scams. Originating from chaos theory, it highlights the interconnectedness of complex systems and their sensitivity to minor changes.

In the context of scams, awareness of initial conditions like vulnerability, trust, and financial stability can inform prevention efforts and support for victims.

SCARS Editorial Team2024-03-17T04:20:23-04:00March 17th, 2024|Categories: • PSYCHOLOGY, • FEATURED ARTICLE, 2024, ARTICLE, Tim McGuinness PhD|Tags: Butterfly Effect, Psychology of Scams, Relationship Scams, Scam Victims, Victim Recovery|

Scam Victims Compliance With Scammer Authority Figures – 2024

Scam Victims Compliance With Scammer Authority Figures

Helping Scam Victims to Understand the Psychology of Scams

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

About This Article

The article provides an in-depth exploration of the psychological mechanisms that drive scam victims to comply with scammer impersonation of authority figures.

It examines how scammers exploit individuals’ innate tendency to respect and obey authority, leveraging this predisposition to manipulate victims into compliance. Factors such as fear of consequences, social conditioning, and deception contribute to victims’ susceptibility to fraudulent schemes.

SCARS Editorial Team2024-02-26T08:13:31-05:00February 26th, 2024|Categories: • PSYCHOLOGY, • FEATURED ARTICLE, 2024, ARTICLE, Tim McGuinness PhD|Tags: Authority Figures, Compliance, Psychological Dynamics, Psychology of Scams, Scam Victims, Scammers, Vulnerability|

Why It Is Important To Understand The Default Mode (DMN) And The Subconscious In Scam Victims – 2024

Why It Is Important To Understand The Default Mode (DMN) And The Subconscious In Scam Victims

Understanding the Psychological Processes During Scams

Helping Scam Victims to Recover

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

Understanding the default mode network (DMN) and its role in psychological processes such as rumination is essential for scam victims navigating recovery.

By learning about the DMN and subconscious mental processes, victims can gain insight into their experiences, normalize their reactions, and identify triggers and patterns that contribute to distress. Armed with this knowledge, victims can develop coping strategies, cultivate self-awareness, and seek professional support to regulate their emotions and reduce rumination. Ultimately, understanding the DMN empowers victims to take an active role in their Read More …

SCARS Editorial Team2024-02-16T06:51:23-05:00February 16th, 2024|Categories: • PSYCHOLOGY, • FEATURED ARTICLE, 2024, ARTICLE, Tim McGuinness PhD, Vianey Gonzalez B.Sc(Psych)|Tags: Default Mode, DMN, Grief, Psychology of Scams, Recovery Psychology, Scam Victim Recovery, Scam Victims, Subconscious, Trauma|

Overconfidence And Scam Victims’ Susceptibility To Scams – 2024

Overconfidence And Scam Victims’ Susceptibility To Scams

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.

Article Abstract

Overconfidence poses a hidden threat, enticing individuals into the dangerous realms of scams in financial and interpersonal spheres.

Manifesting in decision-making and risk assessment, overconfidence leads people to overestimate their abilities, influenced by cognitive biases and reliance on mental shortcuts.

The brain’s reward system reinforces this bias through positive feedback, hindering objective self-evaluation. This overconfidence, pervasive in romance and cryptocurrency scams, blinds individuals to red flags and manipulations.

Understanding the neuroscience behind overconfidence involves recognizing cognitive biases, anchoring bias, illusion of control, and prefrontal cortex involvement. Mitigating overconfidence requires diverse perspectives, expert advice, critical thinking, and mindfulness, empowering individuals to make rational and informed Read More …

SCARS Editorial Team2024-01-24T01:04:51-05:00January 24th, 2024|Categories: • PSYCHOLOGY, • FEATURED ARTICLE, • FOR SCAM VICTIMS, 2024, ARTICLE, Tim McGuinness PhD, Vianey Gonzalez B.Sc(Psych)|Tags: Cognitive Bias, Decision Making, Overconfidence, Psychology of Scams, Scam Victims, Scams, Susceptibility|

Love Bombing & Amygdala Hijacked Scam Victims – Love Is Chemical After All 2024

Love Bombing & Amygdala Hijacked Scam Victims

Love Is Chemical After All

Scam Victim Recovery Psychology

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.

Article Abstract

In the case of online deception, scam victims often find themselves deeply in love, only to realize it was a meticulously crafted illusion—a result of Amygdala Hijacks and Love Bombing caused by deceptive romance scams.

Love involves a complex interplay of hormones and neurotransmitters in the brain, creating a potent cocktail that scammers exploit. Amygdala Hijacks create urgency and fear, triggering the brain’s fight-or-flight response, while love bombing floods victims with excessive affection to foster attachment. The brain’s striatum and TPJ play pivotal roles in processing love, and scammers manipulate positive amygdala hijacks to create false trust Read More …

SCARS Editorial Team2024-01-23T14:06:31-05:00January 23rd, 2024|Categories: • PSYCHOLOGY, • FEATURED ARTICLE, 2024, ARTICLE, Tim McGuinness PhD, Vianey Gonzalez B.Sc(Psych)|Tags: Amygdala Hijack, Brain Functions, Love Bomb, Love Bombing, Psychology of Scams, Recovery Psychology, Scam Victims|

Scam Victims’ Vulnerability And Device Screen Time 2024

Scam Victims’ Vulnerability And Device Screen Time

The 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.

Article Abstract

Excessive screen time, particularly on social media, triggers a dopamine-driven addiction loop, impacting individuals psychologically and heightening vulnerability to becoming scam victims.

The constant pursuit of online rewards impairs judgment and decision-making, making users susceptible to scams promising immediate gratification.

Emotional dependencies created by dopamine release expose individuals to scams exploiting feelings of loneliness or fear. Scammers capitalize on the desire for quick rewards and blur the lines between genuine opportunities and deceptive schemes.

SCARS Editorial Team2024-01-23T16:59:54-05:00January 18th, 2024|Categories: • PSYCHOLOGY, 2024, ARTICLE, Tim McGuinness PhD, Vianey Gonzalez B.Sc(Psych)|Tags: Device Use, Psychology of Scams, Scam Victim Vulnerability, Scam Victims, Screen Time, Vulnerabilities|

Savior Syndrome And The Negative Consequences To Them And Other Scam Victims – 2023

Savior Syndrome (Savior Complex or Messiah Complex)

And the Negative Consequences to Them and Other Scam Victims

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

Originally Published on RomanceScamsNOW.com 2018

Savior Syndrome/Savior Complex – How Victims Often Use Negative Coping Mechanisms To Avoid The Pain Of Their Own Trauma

After Someone Is Victimized They Are Often Desperate To Take Control Back

The development of savior syndrome in scam victims who have experienced prior trauma is a complex and often counterintuitive phenomenon. It is a very powerful negative coping mechanism that leads them to believe they must help others instead of helping themselves first. However, understanding the underlying factors can help us offer better support and guidance to these individuals.

SCARS Editorial Team2023-12-31T07:05:40-05:00December 31st, 2023|Categories: Tim McGuinness PhD, • PSYCHOLOGY, 2023, ARTICLE|Tags: Messiah Complex, Psychology of Scams, Recovery Psychology, Savior Complex, Savior Syndrome, Victim Recovery|

A Temporoparietal Junction (RTPJ/LTPJ) Theory Of Relationship Scams – 2023

A Temporoparietal Junction (RTPJ/LTPJ) Theory Of Relationship Scams

Understanding how Scam Victim’s Core Beliefs are Manipulated

Psychology of Scams

By:
• Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
• Vianey Gonzalez – Psychologist, Certified Deception Professional, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

About This Article

The right and left temporoparietal junction (RTPJ/LTPJ) of the human brain, crucial in social cognition, empathy, and narrative processing, may play a role in trusting narratives told by scammers in relationship scams. Scammers exploit this region by crafting stories that activate empathy and trust, manipulating victims into believing false narratives.

This activation may inhibit victims’ acceptance of the scam, creating inner conflict. Additionally, psychological trauma may alter RTPJ/LTPJ function, affecting emotion processing and self-awareness.

What Really Are Vulnerabilities That Lead To Scams? [UPDATED 2024]

What Really Are Vulnerabilities That Lead To Scams?

Psychology of Scams

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

About This Article

The article explores the diverse landscape of vulnerabilities, aiming to alleviate stigma and empower scam victims and their support systems. It underscores that vulnerabilities are inherent to humanity and should not elicit blame.

Vulnerabilities encompass psychological, emotional, and environmental factors influencing susceptibility to harm. Insights delve into emotional sensitivity, cognitive distortions, interpersonal challenges, trauma triggers, and self-esteem issues, shaped by developmental experiences and environmental stressors.

SCARS Editorial Team2024-02-05T23:19:00-05:00July 19th, 2023|Categories: Tim McGuinness PhD, • FEATURED ARTICLE, • PSYCHOLOGY, 2024, ARTICLE|Tags: Psychology of Scams, Recovery Psychology, Scam Victim Vulnerability, Victim Psychology, Vulnerabilities|

Scam Victims – Black Swan Theory & Understanding Uncertainty – 2023

Black Swan Theory & Crime Victims

Helping Scam Victims to Understand Uncertainty

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

About This Article

The Black Swan theory, popularized by Nassim Nicholas Taleb, describes unpredictable events with significant impacts, often rationalized after the fact.

It originated from the unexpected discovery of black swans challenging the belief that all swans were white. These events are rare, have profound effects, and are often rationalized with hindsight bias.

SCARS Editorial Team2024-02-25T13:22:32-05:00June 24th, 2023|Categories: • PSYCHOLOGY, • FEATURED ARTICLE, 2023, ARTICLE, Tim McGuinness PhD|Tags: Psychology of Scams, Recovery Psychology, Scam Victims, Victim Recovery|

A Desperate Scam Victim – Ann Mayers – Becomes A Bank Robber

Ann Mayers, a Scam Victim lost her life savings and borrowed over $80,000 which she still owed. Out of Desperation, she decided to become a Bank Robber

However, the story is not as simple as it seems due to the trauma and cognitive impairment victims suffer from

Authors: • SCARS Editorial Team – Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. • Portions WLWT5 News and other sources

About This Article

The Zeigarnik Effect On Mind And Perception – Have You Ever Noticed? Strange Qualities Of Perception After A Scam!

A Cognitive Bias connected to many Detrimental Effects in Scam Victims

The Zeigarnik Effect is one of the Most Fundamental Cognitive Biases that most have never heard of!

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

About This Article

The Butterfly Effect And Scam Victims

Helping Scam Victims Understand the Causes and Effects that Create Vulnerability and Impact Recovery

An Insight into the Psychology of Scams

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

About This Article

Scam Victims Compliance With Scammer Authority Figures

Helping Scam Victims to Understand the Psychology of Scams

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

About This Article

Why It Is Important To Understand The Default Mode (DMN) And The Subconscious In Scam Victims

Understanding the Psychological Processes During Scams

Helping Scam Victims to Recover

About This Article

Overconfidence And Scam Victims’ Susceptibility To Scams

Psychology of Scams

Article Abstract

Love Bombing & Amygdala Hijacked Scam Victims

Love Is Chemical After All

Scam Victim Recovery Psychology

Article Abstract

Scam Victims’ Vulnerability And Device Screen Time

The Psychology of Scams

Article Abstract

Savior Syndrome (Savior Complex or Messiah Complex)

And the Negative Consequences to Them and Other Scam Victims

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

Originally Published on RomanceScamsNOW.com 2018

Savior Syndrome/Savior Complex – How Victims Often Use Negative Coping Mechanisms To Avoid The Pain Of Their Own Trauma

After Someone Is Victimized They Are Often Desperate To Take Control Back

A Temporoparietal Junction (RTPJ/LTPJ) Theory Of Relationship Scams

Understanding how Scam Victim’s Core Beliefs are Manipulated

Psychology of Scams

By: • Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. • Vianey Gonzalez – Psychologist, Certified Deception Professional, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

About This Article

What Really Are Vulnerabilities That Lead To Scams?

Psychology of Scams

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

About This Article

Black Swan Theory & Crime Victims

Helping Scam Victims to Understand Uncertainty

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

About This Article

Authors:
• SCARS Editorial Team – Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
• Portions WLWT5 News and other sources

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

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

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

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

By:
• Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
• Vianey Gonzalez – Psychologist, Certified Deception Professional, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

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

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