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What is a scam?
A scam is also called a confidence trick or a crime of persuasion. It consists
of a mark (victim), a shill, and the actual scammer. Why is called a
confidence trick? Because the scammer tries to make the victim or mark
'confident' in the scammer. The scammer wants the mark to have trust in
him so he can take advantage of the hapless mark- usually for monetary
gain.
Unlike a bank robbery, a scam is executed via mental and emotional
manipulation instead of direct physical force. A scammer can rob someone
across the world with just a computer and an internet connection. There is
no need for getaway vehicles, guns, ski masks, or crowbars. A good
scammer can reap millions in ill gotten gains-more than any bank robber
could ever make.
Once the scammer is able to persuade the mark, he can snatch the money
out of the hapless marks hands...in a snap. The instant the mark hands over
his money to the scammer, he officially becomes a victim. And once the
money gets into the scammers greedy little hands, getting it back is next to
impossible...assuming the mark even realizes he has been scammed in the
first place.
Remember the mark has put all of his confidence in the scammer, so when
the opportunity fails (as it must since it was scam), he naturally assumes
that the failure was his own doing...without realizing that he had been set up
from the very beginning. This also explains why only five percent of scam
victims ever report being scammed. Most people after being duped do
absolutely nothing.
Why people scam?
Why do people scam? There are many possible answers to this question.
Sometimes people scam simply for monetary gain. Other times scammers
get an adrenaline rush out of executing a scam in the same way a skydiver
gets a rush jumping out of planes.
Scammers or con artists fall under the same category as sociopaths, who
suffer from antisocial personality disorder. Just as a serial killer doesn't feel
remorse after conducting a murder, a scammer doesn't feel remorse or
anguish after pulling off a scam. Scammers have no guilty conscious. They
cant empathise with their victims because being sociopaths their brain
doesn't allow them to. To them its another day another scam. Ordinary
people can't fathom how someone could center their whole life around
taking advantage of honest hardworking people, but to scammers talking
advantage of people is second nature.
And scammers aren't 'insane' or delusional either. Like almost all
sociopaths they are fully aware of their malicious activities.
Who are the scammers?
Who can be a scammer? Anyone. Race, age, religion, sex, education,
occupation, political leanings, and socioeconomic status are all irrelevant.
You local baker may be a scammer. Your pastor. Your doctor. A homeless
man. It simply doesn't matter.
Scammers often come across at first as charming individuals who are
trying to help you. But don't be fooled-the scammer is just trying to gain your
trust so you will be more willing to part with your money.
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