Are religious people more vulnerable to scams?

[kschang]

I know this is a sensitive topic, so please don't go overboard.

IMHO, religious people have a few extra vulnerability than people who are NOT religious

* They are willing to go on faith, i.e. believe in something without proof
* They have extra circle of relationship (i.e. besides, friends, family, acquaitances, but one between acquaintances and friends known as "fellow church-goers")

It is no surprise that Bernie Madoff went after Jewish charities and churches for his initial victims. I think even WSJ called it "affinity Ponzi" where affinity scam relies on friendship / religion commonalities to get close to clinch the scam. And more recently, Ephren Taylor, the "black Madoff", also went after black churches and such.

Comments?

[littleroundman]

Undoubtedly.


Scams using religion as a lure to get people to invest money have taken in about $1.8 billion over the last three years, according to the Washington-based North American Securities Administrators Association.

http://www.crimes-of-persuasion.com/Crimes/InPerson/MajorPerson/affinity.htm (http://www.crimes-of-persuasion.com/Crimes/InPerson/MajorPerson/affinity.htm)

What is often unrecognized, as well, is that victims of religious based affinity fraud generally lose far more than just the money.

They have had their core beliefs challenged. i.e. having been conned into believing God was involved, or God would want them to participate or whatever line the scammer/s was using, they are then left with massive questions WRT their entire core belief system, as well as the obvious loss of money/trust/self respect.

[grumpyoldfart]

Its also worth remembering that more wars have been fought over religion and different beliefs!


Undoubtedly.



http://www.crimes-of-persuasion.com/Crimes/InPerson/MajorPerson/affinity.htm (http://www.crimes-of-persuasion.com/Crimes/InPerson/MajorPerson/affinity.htm)

What is often unrecognized, as well, is that victims of religious based affinity fraud generally lose far more than just the money.

They have had their core beliefs challenged. i.e. having been conned into believing God was involved, or God would want them to participate or whatever line the scammer/s was using, they are then left with massive questions WRT their entire core belief system, as well as the obvious loss of money/trust/self respect.