The Case Against Character.AI Chatbot and the Terrible Death of a 14 year old Boy – Chatbots Part 4 – 2024

The Case Against Character.AI Chatbot and the Terrible Death of a 14-Year-Old Boy

Lawsuit Alleges Negligence and Wrongful Death Due to Emotional Manipulation by AI Chatbot: Mother Sues Character.AI and Google Over Her Son’s Suicide – the Lawsuit is Brought by Megan Garcia on Behalf of Her Late Son Sewell Setzer II

Chatbots Part 4 :: Part 1 : 2 : 3 : 4 : 5

Primary Category: Artificial Intelligence

Author:
• Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
• Portions by the Attorney’s for Megan Garcia

About This Article

The lawsuit, filed by Megan Garcia on behalf of her deceased son Sewell Setzer III, brings forth claims against Character Technologies, Inc. (the creator of Character.AI), its founders, and Google LLC for wrongful death, negligence, product liability, and emotional distress. The suit argues that the generative AI chatbot platform, Character.AI, was developed and marketed with inadequate safety controls and actively targeted vulnerable minors, including Sewell, who was 14 at the time.

The plaintiff alleges that Character.AI’s design encouraged addictive, anthropomorphic interactions with AI “characters” that could manipulate users emotionally, even engaging in inappropriate and harmful conversations with Sewell, ultimately leading to his mental health decline and suicide.

Schemas Part 4: SCARS Institute Theory – Schema Conflict Resulting in Psychological Trauma – 2024

Schemas Part 4: SCARS Institute Schema Conflict Theory Resulting in Psychological Trauma

Exploring the Connection Between Schema Conflicts and the Experience of Psychological Trauma

Primary Category: Psychology of Scams

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

About This Article

When a person’s core beliefs, or schemas, are confronted with conflicting experiences, it can significantly disrupt their psychological equilibrium and result in trauma.

Schemas are deeply ingrained mental models that help individuals process the world based on past experiences. When a scam victim’s schema (such as trust in others or belief in financial security) is shattered, they experience cognitive dissonance and emotional distress.

The severity of the trauma depends on their ability to reconcile the conflicting experience with their mental framework. If they cannot resolve the disparity, it leads to heightened emotional turmoil, difficulty trusting others, and lasting psychological impacts.

UK Government: Social and Psychological Implications of Fraud – 2024

UK Government: Social and Psychological Implications of Fraud

Psychology of Scams

Authors:
• UK Parliament – Government of the United Kingdom
• SCARS Editorial Team – Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

About This Article

Fraud poses a significant threat to the UK, with 4 in 10 offences targeting individuals. The government’s 2023 Fraud Strategy aims to combat this, emphasizing victim support and prevention.

While stereotypes of elderly victims persist, fraud risks vary due to psychological and social factors. Beyond financial loss, fraud inflicts emotional and psychological harm.

Victims often report fraud to banks rather than authorities. Effective prevention strategies involve education and enhanced victim care. This POSTnote underscores the multifaceted nature of fraud and the need for comprehensive, collaborative approaches to mitigate its impact on individuals in England and Wales.

UNODC Report on Casinos and Cryptocurrency Scams and Money Laundering 2024

UNODC Reports on Casinos and Cryptocurrency Scams and Money Laundering

Understanding Organized Crime

Authors:
• SCARS Editorial Team – Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
• UNODC – United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime

Article Abstract

A newly released United Nations UNODC report highlights the significant role played by casinos, junkets, and cryptocurrencies in facilitating underground banking, money laundering, and transnational organized crime in East and Southeast Asia.

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