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Published on: September 28, 2018
The Scammers' Psychological Warfare: A Call to Arms
Yaniv Hanoch1, Stacey Wood2, Marguerite DeLiema3
1Wolverhampton Business School, University of Wolverhampton.
Summary
Fraud and scams cause significant harm, yet psychological research is emerging. This article reviews current fraud research, identifies gaps, and urges interdisciplinary collaboration to combat these crimes effectively.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Criminology
- Public Health
Background:
- Fraud and scams are prevalent global crimes causing severe emotional, financial, health, and psychological distress.
- Existing psychological research on susceptibility, scammer tactics, victim support, prevention, reporting, and policy is limited and emerging.
Purpose of the Study:
- Provide state-of-the-art insights into current fraud research, highlighting existing knowledge and critical research gaps.
- Emphasize the urgency of addressing fraud and encourage researchers across disciplines to contribute.
- Foster collaboration beyond academia with diverse stakeholders to drive actionable solutions.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of psychological research on fraud and scams.
- Identification of key themes in fraud research, including victim susceptibility, scammer methodologies, and intervention strategies.
- Analysis of existing research gaps and areas requiring urgent attention.
Main Results:
- The field of psychological research on fraud is nascent, with significant gaps in understanding victimology, scammer tactics, and effective interventions.
- There is a critical need for more research on prevention, victim support, reporting mechanisms, and public policy.
- Current research lacks a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach.
Conclusions:
- Urgent need for expanded psychological research on fraud and scams to inform prevention and intervention strategies.
- Cross-sectoral collaboration involving academia, industry, government, and non-profits is essential for effective fraud mitigation.
- Developing robust educational programs and supportive policies is crucial to safeguard the public from fraudulent solicitations.
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