Why Victims Resist Help
When someone is caught in a scam, they may reject help—no matter how well-intentioned. This is often due to complex emotional and psychological factors that scammers intentionally exploit.
Emotional Manipulation
- Love bombing: Creates emotional dependency and a dopamine-driven bond.
- Sunk cost fallacy: Walking away feels harder the more time or money has been invested.
- Amygdala hijack: Fear, urgency, or crisis puts the brain into survival mode—clouding judgment.
Key Insight:
These are not signs of weakness—they are the *exact responses* scammers count on. Anyone can be vulnerable when emotions override logic.
Fears That Block Help
- Fear of losing financial independence
- Fear of appearing incapable or naïve
- Fear of being judged or ridiculed
- Fear that family will step in and take control
Key Insight:
Resistance is often about protecting dignity—not rejecting truth. Respecting autonomy is key to building trust.
Why This Happens
Victims may not realize they're being manipulated—or may be too emotionally invested to admit it. They often rationalize the situation to protect their sense of self-worth.
- They may *truly believe* the scammer loves or values them.
- They may think *accepting help means admitting failure.*
- They may feel *ashamed*, *embarrassed*, or *in denial.*
Key Insight:
Approach conversations with empathy, not confrontation. Validate their emotions first—even if you disagree with their choices.
Your Role
You may be the only person willing to have a difficult conversation with them. Be patient, consistent, and loving—even when it's frustrating. You don’t need to prove the scam is fake in one conversation. You just need to leave the door open for future ones.
