• Latest
  • Trending
  • All
  • Industry
  • Compliance
  • Global Trade
  • Industry
  • Sustainability & Ethics
  • Video
  • Security & Risk
How Scammers Exploit Emotions to Defraud Victims (1)

How Scammers Exploit Emotions to Defraud Victims

12/02/2024
Random Dynamic Resources Ltd Nominated for Go Global Awards 2025

Random Dynamic Resources Strengthens Research Impact Across Africa and Beyond

06/30/2025
Random Dynamic Resources Ltd Nominated for Go Global Awards 2025

Random Dynamic Resources Ltd Nominated for Go Global Awards 2025

06/30/2025
TransPak Marks Over 70 Years of Excellence in Packaging and Global Logistics

TransPak Nominated for 2025 Go Global Awards in London

06/30/2025
TransPak Marks Over 70 Years of Excellence in Packaging and Global Logistics

TransPak Marks Over 70 Years of Excellence in Packaging and Global Logistics

06/30/2025
Larry Company Nominated for Go Global Awards 2025

Larry Company Emerges as Iraq’s Largest Name in Pools Spas and Construction

06/26/2025
Larry Company Nominated for Go Global Awards 2025

Larry Company Nominated for Go Global Awards 2025

06/26/2025
The Allied Founders Celebrates Over 5 Decades of Excellence in Cast Iron Manufacturing and Global Export

The Allied Founders Pvt Ltd Nominated for Go Global Awards 2025

06/25/2025
The Allied Founders Celebrates Over 5 Decades of Excellence in Cast Iron Manufacturing and Global Export

The Allied Founders Celebrates Over 5 Decades of Excellence in Cast Iron Manufacturing and Global Export

06/25/2025
Comet Web Solutions LLP Nominated for Go Global Awards 2025

Comet Web Solutions Empowers Global Businesses Through Digital Innovation

06/26/2025
Comet Web Solutions LLP Nominated for Go Global Awards 2025

Comet Web Solutions LLP Nominated for Go Global Awards 2025

06/25/2025
CloudFirst Technology Private Limited Nominated for Go Global Awards 2025

CloudFirst Technology: Pioneering Cloud Innovation with Global Impact

06/25/2025
CloudFirst Technology Private Limited Nominated for Go Global Awards 2025

CloudFirst Technology Private Limited Nominated for Go Global Awards 2025

06/25/2025
supplychainreport
Tuesday, July 1, 2025
  • Home
  • Industry
    • Supply Chain
    • Logistics & Transportation
    • Importing & Exporting
    • Manufacturing
    • Warehousing & Distribution
  • Compliance
    • Supply Chain Transparency
    • Anti-Money Laundering (AML)
    • Know Your Customer (KYC)
    • Risk Management
    • Export Controls
    • Sanctions
  • Global Trade
    • Market Trends
    • Economic Indicators
    • Sourcing
    • Trade Policies
    • International Relations
    • Trade Agreements
    • Tariffs & Duties
    • Import/Export Statistics
  • Luxury Goods
  • Industry
    • Blockchain in Supply Chain
    • Importing & Exporting
    • Automation & Robotics
    • Artificial Intelligence in Trade
    • Data & Analytics
  • Sustainability & Ethics
    • Green Supply Chains
    • Sustainable Logistics
    • Ethical Sourcing
    • Corporate Social Responsibility
    • Environmental Policies
  • Security & Risk
    • Cybersecurity in Trade
    • Fraud & Scams
    • Risk Mitigation
    • Security Protocols
    • Data Protection
  • ITC News
    • ITC Featured Members
    • ITC Business Councils Highlights
  • Events
    • Upcoming Conferences
    • Upcoming FREE Educational Webinars
No Result
View All Result
supplychainreport
No Result
View All Result

How Scammers Exploit Emotions to Defraud Victims

by Raxer X.
12/02/2024
in Fraud & Scams, Security & Risk

In a growing trend of emotional manipulation, scammers are leveraging psychological tactics to defraud individuals, leaving victims financially devastated and emotionally shaken. Experts warn that the methods employed by these criminals, often referred to as “the ether,” are becoming increasingly sophisticated, targeting a wide demographic regardless of age or education.

Judith Boivin, an 80-year-old victim, recounted her experience with a scammer posing as an FBI agent. Over three months, he called her twice daily, gaining her trust by engaging in personal conversations. He learned about her life, her family, and her husband’s struggle with Parkinson’s disease, creating a relationship that felt genuine. “I was respectful of him, and he seemed to be respectful of me,” she said.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

Merchant International Systems Ltd Nominated for 2025 Go Global Awards in London

Merchant International Systems Limited Recognized for Excellence in Safety and Technology Solutions

However, these interactions were calculated, designed to elicit emotional vulnerability. Fraud prevention experts describe this as “the ether,” a state of heightened emotion where victims suspend logical reasoning. Doug Shadel, co-author of Weapons of Fraud: A Source Book for Fraud Fighters, explains, “To get you to trust me, you have to like me. I’ll mirror your interests to create a sense of connection.”

Targeting Vulnerabilities

Contrary to stereotypes, financial fraud victims are not exclusively elderly or isolated. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), individuals in their 20s report higher rates of scams than older Americans due to greater online exposure. Yet, older adults are often targeted for their accumulated wealth from retirement accounts, home equity, and investments.

FTC data reveals that Americans lost over $10 billion to scams in 2023, with seniors representing nearly 20% of those losses. The actual figures are likely much higher, as many scams go unreported. Additionally, the number of adults aged 60 and older scammed out of $100,000 or more has tripled since 2020.

Scammers employ a three-part strategy: building trust, inducing emotional vulnerability, and creating urgency. They use phone calls, emails, or texts to forge connections, extracting personal details to manipulate their targets. These conversations often exploit emotions such as loneliness, caregiving stress, or even shared interests like music.

Manipulating Emotions

The second step in the scammer’s playbook involves pushing victims into a heightened emotional state. Shadel notes that everyone has an “emotional Achilles’ heel” that scammers exploit. Whether it’s fear, joy, or anxiety, the aim is to destabilize the victim’s reasoning.

Judith, for example, was coping with the stress of her husband’s medical condition when she first encountered the scammer. “I was carrying the responsibilities of having my husband with Parkinson’s, and a lot of my life had changed after his diagnosis,” she recalled.

The final stage is creating urgency. Scammers fabricate scenarios to pressure victims into immediate action, such as claiming their bank accounts are at risk or funds will be frozen. “It’s baked into our brains to respond to threats,” Shadel explained.

The Illusion of Reality

Experts compare the scammer’s tactics to an immersive experience, akin to an amusement park ride. Just as visitors to Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean suspend reality to enjoy the illusion, scam victims are drawn into a fabricated world crafted by the fraudster. “It’s scary how good some of them are,” said Anthony Pratkanis, a psychology professor and co-author with Shadel.

Even seasoned experts acknowledge the difficulty of resisting these tactics. “I know exactly what’s going on, and I’m like, ‘Man, I can really see how somebody could easily get wrapped up in this,’” Pratkanis admitted.

A Call for Vigilance

Fraud prevention advocates emphasize the importance of maintaining skepticism and avoiding oversharing personal details with strangers. While awareness campaigns warn against sharing financial information, Shadel stresses that seemingly innocuous details, like family or travel plans, can be equally dangerous.

As scams grow in complexity, experts urge individuals to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities. Only through increased awareness and preventive measures can the rising tide of emotional manipulation be stemmed.

Your source for supply chain report news updates: The Supply Chain Report. For international trade insights and tools, head to ADAMftd.com.

#EmotionalManipulation #ScamAwareness #FraudPrevention #PsychologicalTactics #ScamVictims #ElderlyScams #OnlineFraud #FinancialFraud #ProtectYourself #FraudAwareness #EmotionalVulnerability #StayAlert #ReportFraud #ConsumerProtection #ScamPrevention

ShareTweet

Subscribe Our Newsletter

Share Your News

Whether it’s a groundbreaking achievement, a heartwarming tale, or an insightful perspective, we want to hear it. Share your news with us, and let’s amplify your voice in the digital symphony of stories.

Submit

A man is riding a bike on a hill.

The Supply Chain Report is your essential daily news website, serving as a trusted source for comprehensive coverage of the complex and ever-evolving global supply chain dynamics. Our expert team delves into the intricacies of international trade, manufacturing, logistics, importing, exporting, and supply chain management; providing in-depth analysis and up-to-date news on the latest trends, disruptions, and technological advancements affecting industries worldwide. From detailed reports on international trade through to insights into procurement strategies and inventory management, we offer valuable content that helps professionals stay informed and make knowledgeable decisions in a fast-paced market.

Each day, we bring you cutting-edge news and expert commentary that dissect significant international trade and supply chain issues Our coverage spans a wide array of sectors including manufacturing, retail, healthcare, food, consumer goods, and technology, ensuring that no matter your field, you have the strategic information needed to navigate the challenges and opportunities of today’s supply chain landscape. By synthesizing complex data and presenting actionable insights, The Supply Chain Report empowers business leaders, policymakers, and logistics professionals to optimize their operations and drive forward with confidence in an interconnected world.

Connect With Us

  • About
  • Events
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

© 2024 International Centre for Trade Transparency Limited. Incorporated in the United Kingdom.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Industry
    • Supply Chain
    • Logistics & Transportation
    • Importing & Exporting
    • Manufacturing
    • Warehousing & Distribution
  • Compliance
    • Supply Chain Transparency
    • Anti-Money Laundering (AML)
    • Know Your Customer (KYC)
    • Risk Management
    • Export Controls
    • Sanctions
  • Global Trade
    • Market Trends
    • Economic Indicators
    • Sourcing
    • Trade Policies
    • International Relations
    • Trade Agreements
    • Tariffs & Duties
    • Import/Export Statistics
  • Luxury Goods
  • Industry
    • Blockchain in Supply Chain
    • Importing & Exporting
    • Automation & Robotics
    • Artificial Intelligence in Trade
    • Data & Analytics
  • Sustainability & Ethics
    • Green Supply Chains
    • Sustainable Logistics
    • Ethical Sourcing
    • Corporate Social Responsibility
    • Environmental Policies
  • Security & Risk
    • Cybersecurity in Trade
    • Fraud & Scams
    • Risk Mitigation
    • Security Protocols
    • Data Protection
  • ITC News
    • ITC Featured Members
    • ITC Business Councils Highlights
  • Events
    • Upcoming Conferences
    • Upcoming FREE Educational Webinars

© 2024 International Centre for Trade Transparency Limited. Incorporated in the United Kingdom.