Middle-aged, well-educated women
Studies have shown that middle-aged, well-educated women in particular are particularly vulnerable to romance scams. According to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, dozens of elderly U.S. citizens have been ripped off. The scammers often use drugs to entice victims into their scams. For instance, an Australian grandmother was arrested for smuggling more than a kilogram of crystal meth with her during a trip to Malaysia.
To avoid falling victim to romance scams, educate yourself on the most common signs of scammers. For example, a person may claim that she’s in desperate need of money and ask for money or sympathy in return. Don’t fall for such scams; they can be costly – financially, legally, and psychologically.
Another factor that increases vulnerability to these scams is age. Although some studies have suggested that older individuals are more likely to be victims of romance scams, others have indicated that midlifers are more vulnerable to romance scams than their elderly counterparts. In addition, the study found that middle-aged women are the most likely to fall victim to these scams compared to older people.
TikTok Teens
TikTok is a popular video sharing app. According to statistics, teens and young people spend 80 minutes per day on the site, and the average user is between 16 and 24 years old. This means that users have more opportunities to be a victim of scams and are especially vulnerable if they’re under the age of 18.
These scams often start with a fake email asking you to verify your account with the account name provided in the email. They then send you to a fake website that looks like the official TikTok login page, asking you to enter your username and password. Once you give them this information, the scammers have access to your account and can post fake content.
People with addictive dispositions
The romance scam involves a variety of fraudulent activities. This study examines the characteristics of people who fall prey to these scams. These people are often middle-aged or older, well-educated, and possess an addictive disposition. They are also more likely to trust and act impulsively.
The psychological manipulation employed by romance scammers resembles the psychological manipulation used in domestic violence. Researchers from the Queensland University of Technology describe four common signs of manipulation. Those who show these signs are more likely to fall victim to scams. People with addictive dispositions have a high risk of falling victim to these schemes.
People with impulsive tendencies
People with impulsive tendencies are the most vulnerable to romance scams, as they tend to react to situations without taking time to weigh the pros and cons. Romance scammers use this lack of impulse control to create a sense of urgency, which makes them more likely to take advantage of their victims. They often invent emergency situations or create other pressures to pressure their victims to respond immediately.
People with addictive personalities are also the most susceptible to romance scams. The researcher suggests that these people get addicted to scams and find it difficult to break away from them once they have begun. This is similar to what happens to gamblers. If you are addicted to the idea of finding love, you’re likely to fall victim to romance scams.
The results of the study contradict the popular belief that people with good education are not at risk of being scammed. People with higher education are more likely to use dating websites, but it doesn’t mean they’re immune to the possibility of falling victim to a scam. Moreover, overconfidence makes people more vulnerable to romance scams.