What to Do When a Scammer Reveals His Real Identity
When a scammer finally reveals himself, the first step you need to take is to report the profile as fraudulent and block the user immediately, just as you should have done from the start. This behavior is standard in the playbook of scammers, who often manipulate victims by showing remorse and attempting to become friends after getting caught. This emotional manipulation is just to get you to send more money.
The Goal of Scammers
Once you understand that this is their ultimate goal, you will take the necessary steps and act correctly. Until you clearly see through the emotional manipulation and realize that you have been misled, you may still question what to do. But, in reality, the answer is straightforward: if the profile is fraudulent, report it and block it.
Be Cautious of Follow-up Scams
After a scammer reveals his 'real' identity, they might use this tactic to manipulate you further. They will claim that they pretended to be someone else only because they were in dire need of money for medical care or some other fabricated reason, and that they have fallen in love with you during the scam. These claims are just another pre-written script intended to deceive you and get more money from you.
Despite their claims of being the victim, scammers are still professional scam operators. Their goal is to find gullible individuals online and guide them to believe that sending money is the right thing to do. They use a variety of tactics such as love, sympathy, blackmail, or threats, and if one fails, they will try another. This is a classic pattern in their operations.
Always Take Action
To protect yourself, you should always block the scammer when they reveal their true identity. Keep blocking them, even if they use a different identity. Continue this process until they give up.
A Real-Life Experience
While it is easy to recognize the patterns and remain alert, real-life experiences can still shock you. For instance, a victim of a scammer made plans to meet their alleged partner, only to be informed two days before the meeting that the pictures were fake. The scammer then revealed that he was an Afro-American, stirring up a mix of emotions and sentiments.
The victim was in a severe emotional state of shock and anger, having been lied to and feeling deceived. The scammer’s calm demeanor and the personal revelation left the victim further deceived, as they could not respond appropriately in that moment. They have since moved on and become more aware of the risks of online romance, as well as the importance of staying vigilant.
In conclusion, no matter what a scammer tells you, never engage with them after they reveal their true identity. Always report them and block them. Remember, online romance scams are designed to manipulate your emotions and get you to part with your money. Stay alert and protect yourself from these professional and persistent deceivers.