Who Can You Trust? (Part 4)

Today I want to finish quoting some highlights from the Fraud Aid website, which is an excellent source of information that I encourage everyone to visit for a more comprehensive presentation.

          “The next step is to make himself or
          herself appear to be the only person
          on whom you can rely for the fulfillment
          of your wishes, desires, and/or personal
          safety. Keep in mind that in order for
          the scam to work, the scam artist will
          gain your complete and unquestioning
          trust, and they are very, very skillful
          at doing this.

          The final step is the move on your
          money or property… you will be instilled
          with a fear of contacting the authorities.
          To accomplish this, the scam artist will
          use whatever fear is uppermost in your
          emotional catalog. In your mind, you
          will feel that to take any action will
          either make you look foolish, and/or
          you will fear retribution from the con
          artist, and/or you will fear even the
          authorities themselves. If the scam
          has gone on long enough, you have
          been brainwashed, quite literally, into
          believing the scam artist more than
          the authorities and those close to you.”

Fraudsters gain access through emotional vulnerability. Any heartfelt cause can serve as such a vulnerability. Alignment with something I am passionate about can instantly make me feel comfortable and/or trusting of a complete stranger. American Greed has shown us many causes used to this end including religion, charity, and family/health.

What struck me about the November episode was the addition of a new cause to the list: motivational speaking. Here’s a guy in Ross Mandell acting as a motivational speaker but interested only in stealing from others!

I am a strong believer in the motivational speaking/coach mentality because it embodies positivity. As traders we incur losses/setbacks but we must remain confident and positive/strong in order to succeed. I could do any number of blog posts on subjects like positivity, meditation, and affirmations. To now realize that a fine line exists between something about which I believe so strongly and a tool for fraud and chicanery does not make for a happy day.