Survivors Remember
- It was not your fault!
- You are a survivor!
- You are stronger than you know!
- You are not alone!
- Axios! You are worthy!
- Vera! It’s all true!
To get help, please visit ScamVictimsSupport.org and sign up for the SCARS Institute Support & Recovery Program at support.AgainstScams.org
My Scam Story #18
A Romance Scam/Marriage Fraud Victim/Survivor’s Story
Survivor’s Origin: BRAZIL
This is the original victim’s story, enhanced by the SCARS Institute Editorial Team to improve comprehension, readability, and continuity.
WARNING: THIS SCAM VICTIM/SURVIVOR’S STORY MAY BE TRIGGERING TO SOME PEOPLE. DISCRETION IS ADVISED.
ADVERTENCIA: LA HISTORIA DE ESTA VÍCTIMA/SOBREVIVIENTE DE ESTAFA PUEDE SER INSENSIBLE PARA ALGUNAS PERSONAS. SE RECOMIENDA DISCRECIÓN.
If you need help, join our free SCARS Institute Support and Recovery Program at support.AgainstScams.org
Si necesita ayuda, únase a nuestro Programa gratuito de Apoyo y Recuperación del Instituto SCARS en support.AgainstScams.org
My Scam Story
As told by a friend.
Ana (not her real name) was emaciated when she arrived at the Brazilian embassy in Cairo.”
Ana was once an amateur volleyball player from São Paulo, Brazil. However, when she arrived at the Brazilian embassy in Cairo, her tall, athletic frame was bent and weakened from weeks of starvation, fear, and humiliation. Her dream of love had led her to Egypt—a decision that would ultimately result in devastating consequences.
Initially, Ana believed she had found true love. An intense online romance convinced her to leave her life in Brazil and travel to a small village near Beni Suef on the banks of the Nile River. Shortly after her arrival, she was swiftly married, persuaded to sign over power of attorney to her new husband, and unknowingly relinquished control of her finances. Ana soon found herself abandoned, penniless, and trapped in a foreign country, unable to communicate in Arabic or afford a flight home.
Desperate to escape, Ana finally fled the squalid conditions she endured daily. She frantically begged strangers to help her reach Cairo, repeatedly crying out, “Cairo! Cairo!” until a kind older man finally understood and offered her a ride to the capital.
Once in Cairo, Ana struggled to find the Brazilian embassy. Her frantic pleas of “Brasil! Embaixada!” eventually led her to the high-rise building housing her only hope of rescue. Yet, even after reaching the embassy, Ana faced cold indifference. Embassy staff informed her that warnings about marriage scams had already been issued, and there was little they could do to assist her. They offered only minimal shelter until family members could arrange her return.
Sadly, Ana’s story is not unique. Thousands of victims worldwide experience similar exploitation every day, often unnoticed and unsupported. Fraud professionals often focus on well-known schemes like identity theft or credit card scams, overlooking the broader, more complex landscape of human vulnerability exploited by scammers globally.
Ana’s journey illustrates a specific yet widespread type of marriage scam. She, like many others, engaged casually in online dating, often discouraged by previous disappointments. Then, Ali appeared. Despite geographical and linguistic barriers, Ali’s passionate, persistent communication captivated Ana. Although wary, she rationalized Ali’s urgency for marriage as cultural differences rather than a sinister motive.
Unable to meet casually due to Egypt’s strict cultural and legal restrictions, Ana accepted Ali’s proposal hastily, believing in a romantic, fairytale future. She booked her flight under false pretenses, reassuring concerned friends and family with fabricated plans.
Ali’s motives, however, were entirely financial and pragmatic. Scammers like Ali often seek financial security, temporary comforts, or a foreign passport granting easier travel. Egyptian laws inadvertently support such schemes, forcing foreigners like Ana into rapid marriages without adequate safeguards.
Upon arrival, Ana was confronted with harsh realities. Her new husband legally controlled all finances, and she was legally prohibited from working, making her completely dependent. Stripped of agency, money, safety, and even basic communication abilities, Ana faced cruelty and abandonment as her scammer disappeared after draining her accounts.
This scenario exemplifies the cruel effectiveness of such marriage scams. Victims, isolated and desperate, face indifferent responses from authorities, leaving lasting emotional and financial trauma.
Ana’s story is just one example within a vast global landscape of exploitation. Similar tragedies occur daily across continents, each influenced by unique local circumstances. Romance scams, financial fraud, and identity theft each adapt to exploit regional vulnerabilities, making fraud prevention especially challenging.
Fraud professionals must broaden their perspectives beyond familiar scams, recognizing that their understanding will always have limitations. The diverse, context-specific nature of global fraud requires humility and a commitment to continuous learning.
Ultimately, preventing fraud means acknowledging and addressing the underlying conditions that perpetuate crime and vulnerability. Only by doing so can we truly protect individuals like Ana, dismantle fraudulent systems, and foster a safer, more informed global community.
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PLEASE NOTE:
In the case of Scam Survivor’s Stories: The SCARS Institute displays this story to help recent scam victims. We are authorized to display this story and in this form or edition is copyright © Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. All rights reserved. The specific survivor’s identity has been anonymized for their protection. Photos are generated and are not of the real person.
In the case of the Criminal’s Stories: The SCARS Institute presents the Criminal Stories to assist scam victims in understanding that criminals are real individuals, despite their terrible actions, and we can gain valuable insights from their experiences to prevent crime and identify these schemes as they emerge. We aim to support victims and survivors in releasing the emotions they harbor toward the criminals, fostering a path toward potential forgiveness over time.
Important Information for New Scam Victims
- Please visit www.ScamVictimsSupport.org – a SCARS Website for New Scam Victims & Sextortion Victims
- SCARS Institute now offers a free recovery program at www.SCARSeducation.org
- Please visit www.ScamPsychology.org – to more fully understand the psychological concepts involved in scams and scam victim recovery
If you are looking for local trauma counselors, please visit counseling.AgainstScams.org
If you need to speak with someone now, you can dial 988 or find phone numbers for crisis hotlines all around the world here: www.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines
A Question of Trust
At the SCARS Institute, we invite you to do your own research on the topics we speak about and publish. Our team investigates the subject being discussed, especially when it comes to understanding the scam victims-survivors’ experience. You can do Google searches but in many cases, you will have to wade through scientific papers and studies. However, remember that biases and perspectives matter and influence the outcome. Regardless, we encourage you to explore these topics as thoroughly as you can for your own awareness.
SCARS Resources:
- Getting Started For New Victims of Relationship Scams: ScamVictimsSupport.org
- FREE enrollment in the SCARS Institute training programs for scam victims SCARSeducation.org
- Subscribe to SCARS Newsletter newsletter.againstscams.org
- Sign up for SCARS professional support & recovery groups, visit support.AgainstScams.org
- Find competent trauma counselors or therapists, visit counseling.AgainstScams.org
- Report each and every crime, learn how to at reporting.AgainstScams.org
- Learn more about Scams & Scammers at RomanceScamsNOW.com and ScamsNOW.com
- Learn more about the Psychology of Scams and Scam Victims: ScamPsychology.org
- For Scam Victims Advocates: www.ScamVictimsAdvocates.org
- Self-Help Books for Scam Victims are at shop.AgainstScams.org
- Worldwide Crisis Hotlines: International Suicide Hotlines – OpenCounseling : OpenCounseling
- Campaign To End Scam Victim Blaming – 2024 (scamsnow.com)
More Survivor Stories
More Criminal Stories
A Note About Labeling!
We often use the term ‘scam victim’ in our articles, but this is a convenience to help those searching for information in search engines like Google. It is just a convenience and has no deeper meaning. If you have come through such an experience, YOU are a Survivor! It was not your fault. You are not alone! Axios!
Statement About Victim Blaming
Some of our articles discuss various aspects of victims. This is both about better understanding victims (the science of victimology) and their behaviors and psychology. This helps us to educate victims/survivors about why these crimes happened and not to blame themselves, better develop recovery programs, and to help victims avoid scams in the future. At times, this may sound like blaming the victim, but it does not blame scam victims; we are simply explaining the hows and whys of the experience victims have.
These articles, about the Psychology of Scams or Victim Psychology – meaning that all humans have psychological or cognitive characteristics in common that can either be exploited or work against us – help us all to understand the unique challenges victims face before, during, and after scams, fraud, or cybercrimes. These sometimes talk about some of the vulnerabilities the scammers exploit. Victims rarely have control of them or are even aware of them, until something like a scam happens, and then they can learn how their mind works and how to overcome these mechanisms.
SCARS Institute articles can help victims and others understand these processes and how to help prevent them from being exploited again or to help them recover more easily by understanding their post-scam behaviors. Learn more about the Psychology of Scams at www.ScamPsychology.org and www.ScamsNOW.com
Psychology Disclaimer:
All articles about psychology and the human brain on SCARS Institute websites are for information & education only
The information provided in SCARS Institute articles is intended for educational and self-help purposes only and should not be construed as a substitute for professional therapy or counseling.
Note about Mindfulness: Mindfulness practices have the potential to create psychological distress for some individuals. Please consult a mental health professional or experienced meditation instructor for guidance should you encounter difficulties.
While any self-help techniques outlined herein may be beneficial for scam victims seeking to recover from their experience and move towards recovery, it is important to consult with a qualified mental health professional before initiating any course of action. Each individual’s experience and needs are unique, and what works for one person may not be suitable for another.
Additionally, any approach may not be appropriate for individuals with certain pre-existing mental health conditions or trauma histories. It is advisable to seek guidance from a licensed therapist or counselor who can provide personalized support, guidance, and treatment tailored to your specific needs.
If you are experiencing significant distress or emotional difficulties related to a scam or other traumatic event, please consult your doctor or mental health provider for appropriate care and support.
If you are in crisis, feeling desperate, or in despair, please call 988 or your local crisis hotline.
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