In today’s digital age, relationship fraud isn’t always about romantic entanglements; it extends to various types of interpersonal connections, including friendships. Over time, this form of deceit evolves and intermingles with other fraudulent activities, making it a complex web of deception. In this post, we delve into how these deceptive relationships, or “friend fraud,” unfold and why they pose a significant threat.
The Strategic Advantage of Relationships
One might wonder, why do fraudsters invest so much time and effort in cultivating relationships with their targets? The answer lies in the strategic advantages they gain through these connections. By becoming a part of their victim’s life, fraudsters can infiltrate the target’s personal environment, gaining access to their home, friends, and family members, thereby acquiring a wealth of valuable information.
A. Identity Theft: The First Domino
The information surreptitiously gathered through these deceptive relationships becomes a goldmine for identity theft. Personal images and intimate knowledge of the target’s family serve as the initial stepping stones toward a chain of other fraudulent activities.
B. Persona Fraud: Becoming You
Fraudsters often go to great lengths to impersonate their victims. This can involve adopting a different last name or an entirely new identity. They casually incorporate shared details or attributes in conversations about your family, background, friends, work, as their own.
Another variation of this deceit involves collaboration with an accomplice. This partner continuously reinforces the fabricated persona, sharing personal information and whereabouts after the fraudster’s departure. In some cases, the fraudster even leaves a confederate behind to solidify their identity with those they’ve deceived, further complicating the trail.
The Longitudinal and Concurrent Complexity
Relationship frauds can take on various forms. They can be passed down to other fraudsters, handed off to subsequent criminals, or run concurrently, surrounding the target from all sides. This multifaceted approach contributes to identity theft and persona fraud’s success.
Assumption Fraud: Exploiting Preconceived Notions
Assumption fraud operates on the preconceived notions of those around the victim. For example, standing near the mailbox and receiving mail from the Mailman can lead the mail carrier to assume the fraudster is the mailbox’s owner, resulting in a direct handover of the mail. Postal workers often fall victim to this ploy, as the fraudster appears nonchalant and blends in with the environment.
Variation 2: Manipulating Perceptions
When the new owner of a home leaves,HECK! Even when they’re there! Cons starts placing their child cons in training on the property to play or walk around. To working neighbors who might not know the owner well or at all, They start to assume those are friends or kids of the owner of the property. Narcs use roaming kids who live near by or work with other Cons who live in the neighborhood to “establish”. They might have the kids approach you in the yard to talk to you as if you know them. Little did you know they were hanging around your property when you weren’t there. So if you did have a “breakin” it’s unfortunate because it must have happened when your “good friends” were away.
Acquaintance Fraud: The Narc’s Specialty
Acquaintance fraud is a well-known specialty among fraudsters. It involves exploiting relationships with strangers, neighbors, teachers, coworkers, or anyone not well-known to the victim. These deceptive individuals gather information for malicious purposes, often presenting themselves as overly familiar with the target.
They employ a compilation technique where multiple fraudsters feed information to a central figure who then weaves a narrative of familiarity, even if they were never actually close to the victim. This method can lead to legal troubles and false accusations, making it especially dangerous.
Just remember Narcs don’t value building time into a relationship. They are the ADHD of Cons. So if you’re in a relationship, take your time! Get to know the individual before telling them too much detail about your friends, family or yourself. If they’re really interested in YOU! They will take the time to invest in getting to know you. Cons will use any relationship to get to their target even if that target isn’t you.
Remember, this point of view is for your loved ones protection as well as your own.
