We all belong to or associate with groups. These may be based on faith, military service, age, gender, work, hobbies, community, or some other connection.
We tend to trust people with whom we identify. A veteran is probably more likely to trust someone he or she believes has served. An ethnic or racial group may be more likely to accept the word of someone with whom they can identify. Think of any group and this affinity trust applies.
Affinity scams are those scams that target members of a certain group. Some affinity scams are conducted in-person and some are done through telephone, text, social media, or email.
People can be anyone they want on social media so scammers can cover a lot of affiliations online. They can claim to be part of any group, they can use pictures of whoever looks “attractive” and fits the profile of the person most susceptible to being scammed, and they can hide behind the anonymity of cyberspace.
Religious scams are often perpetrated by someone who is part of the group. The religious leader who is part of the trusted circle takes advantage of the members of the congregation by getting them to invest in a financial scheme. The person may be affiliated with a church or they may not.
Global Law Experts website tells us that the “Ponzi Scheme” is one of the ploys used with affinity scams, and involves fraudulent investments. In theory, profits are paid to earlier investors with funds obtained from later investors. The affinity is that the scammers use their influence, their position, their ‘good character’ to entice members of the group to invest. The success is based on trust.
Another scam involves the scammer impersonating a church leader. Someone receives a text from a person they believe to be their church leader requesting they buy gift cards for a needy parishioner. The text states that the church leader is in a meeting, and couldn’t get out to help these people. The church leader requests that the parishioner purchase the gift cards and text the serial numbers to the church leader who in turn would make sure the needy family got the credit. If this happens, check with your church leader using another method of contact to see if the request is legitimate.
Think about it. What “tribes” do you claim? Who or what are your connections? How might you be at risk? Everyone relates to varied groups.
Research the proposal that has been made. Get any agreements in writing. Don’t be pressured. Talk to a professional – someone who knows investments, if it’s an investment “opportunity”. Watch out for Internet fraud. Remember the old adage: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Be safe. Be proactive.
