SCARS Psychological Trauma
An Exploration of the Psychological Trauma of Scam Victims Impacted by Scams, Fraud, and Cybercrime
The following is our ever-expanding collection of articles and publications authored by members of the SCARS Team
These articles are intended to be useful introductions for psychologists, criminologists, sociologists, law enforcement, criminal justice professionals, policy decision-makers, care providers, and the victims/survivors of these crimes or their families. For research and studies visit that section of our website.
Curated By: • Vianey Gonzalez – 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, PhD DFin, MCPO, MAnth – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
Psychological Trauma: A Brief Introduction
Scam victim psychological trauma is a profound and often overlooked consequence of falling prey to fraudulent schemes. Unlike physical crimes, where the damage is visible and immediate, the harm caused by scams is psychological, deeply affecting the victim’s mental and emotional well-being. When someone is scammed, especially in cases involving romance or financial fraud, the betrayal is not just of their trust but of their sense of reality and self-worth. Victims may experience intense feelings of shame, guilt, and self-blame, believing that they should have seen the warning signs or been more cautious. This can lead to severe emotional distress, including anxiety, depression, and even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The emotional fallout is compounded by the financial loss and the realization that they have been manipulated, often by someone they believed they could trust. The psychological trauma of being scammed can have long-lasting effects, impacting every aspect of a victim’s life. Relationships may suffer as the victim withdraws from social interactions, struggling with feelings of isolation and embarrassment. The trauma can also undermine their ability to trust others, leading to difficulties in forming new relationships or even functioning in daily life. Moreover, the stigma associated with being scammed can prevent victims from seeking help, as they fear judgment or further humiliation. Recovery from scam-related trauma requires a compassionate and multifaceted approach, including psychological support, social engagement, and, importantly, self-compassion and understanding that the blame lies not with the victim, but with the perpetrator of the scam.
A Definition of Psychological Trauma
The American Psychological Association (APA) defines trauma as “an emotional response to a terrible event like an accident, rape, or natural disaster.” In the context of scam victims, trauma is an emotional response to the betrayal, manipulation, and deceit they have experienced. Short-term reactions to being scammed often include shock, disbelief, and denial, while long-term responses can manifest as “unpredictable emotions, flashbacks, strained relationships, and even physical symptoms like headaches or nausea.” These responses are normal reactions to the abnormal and deeply distressing experience of being deceived and exploited. Trauma in scam victims is a multifaceted form of harm that can arise from the intense emotional and financial betrayal involved in such experiences. While each victim’s experience is unique, there are commonalities in the way trauma manifests, allowing for some categorization. Psychologists typically identify three main types of trauma: acute, chronic, and complex. Scam victims can experience any of these types, depending on the nature and duration of the scam, the degree of personal involvement, and the extent of the emotional and financial damage caused.
Types of Psychological Trauma
- Acute trauma results from a single incident.
- Chronic trauma is repeated and prolonged, such as domestic violence or abuse.
- Complex trauma is exposure to varied and multiple traumatic events, often of an invasive, interpersonal nature.
Overview of Psychological Trauma
When a scam victim experiences trauma, the brain’s alarm and alert systems are activated, overwhelming memory systems with intense emotional stimuli and disrupting the body’s ability to return to a state of rest. The effects of this trauma can be wide-ranging and cumulative, potentially including symptoms such as:
- Concentration problems
- Memory issues
- Psychological and physiological distress
- Relationship difficulties
- Social withdrawal
- Fear and anxiety
- Sadness or depression
- Increased nervousness or irritability
- Sleep disturbances
- Intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, or nightmares
- Difficulty experiencing positive emotions
While these symptoms often improve over time, some individuals may endure persistent, severe effects that significantly disrupt their daily lives and do not resolve without intervention. Scam victims, particularly those subjected to prolonged or intense manipulation, are at heightened risk for developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Psychologists have developed a conceptual framework for understanding the relative risk of a trauma response in scam victims:
Relative Risk of Trauma Response = (The Traumatic Event(s) + Vulnerability of the Person) – (Protective Factors + Resiliency Gained)
In this context, factors that intensify the traumatic event include the frequency, duration, and intensity of the scam, as well as the nature of the deception and the victim’s relationship with the scammer. Vulnerability is influenced by factors such as the victim’s age, any history of prior trauma, and compounding issues like social isolation or financial instability.
General Information About Scam Victim Trauma
- The Cause of Trauma in Scam Victims: A Neurological, Emotional, and Psychological Breakdown
- The Onset of Psychological Trauma
- The Experience of Psychological Trauma in Scam Victims
For more about the Psychology of Scams go here.
Trauma
- The New Trauma Responses Model (romancescamsnow.com)
- The Trauma Of Victimization (romancescamsnow.com)
- The Unique Injury Of Betrayal Trauma On Scam Victims (scamsnow.com)
- Psychology Of Scams: Trauma Bonding (romancescamsnow.com)
- Coping with Scam Victim Trauma: Exploring Positive and Negative Coping Mechanisms (scamsnow.com)
- Scam Victims Suppressing Trauma Or Avoiding Recovery And Healing 2024 (scamsnow.com)
Traumatic Effects
- Nightmares, Night Terrors, And Scam Victim Trauma (scamsnow.com)
- Scam Victim Empathy – How It Is Lost And How It Comes Back In Time (scamsnow.com)
- Selective Amnesia and Scam Victim Psychological Trauma 2023 (scamsnow.com)
- Psychological Triggers/Emotional Triggers – What They Are And How They Work (scamsnow.com)
- Understanding Trauma Compulsions (romancescamsnow.com)
- Psychology of Scams: Immediate and Delayed Reactions to Trauma (romancescamsnow.com)
- Cognitions and Trauma (romancescamsnow.com)
- Emotional Triggers – What Are They And How To Cope With Them (romancescamsnow.com)
- Trauma-Induced Fear May Cause Paranoia (romancescamsnow.com)
- Scam Victims & Traumatic Memories (romancescamsnow.com)
- How Trauma Can Impact Four Types of Memory [Infographic] (romancescamsnow.com)
- Scam Trauma Syndrome [STS] (romancescamsnow.com)
- Empathy Impairment That Affects Scam Victim’s Relationships
- Psychological Trauma & PTSD Hallucinations
