THE NEXUS BETWEEN CONFLICT, TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY

Image credit: ZDA

 Traditionally, tourism has been seen as an activity that only happens in politically stable and peaceful environments. Conflict has never been seen as one of the factors that can boost the tourism and hospitality industry. Until recently, tourism along with hospitality have been seen as activities which can mostly thrive in peaceful and politically stable environments.

Which Conflict?

By the way conflict in this context can be looked at at two levels. It can refer to differences that arise at the organisational or even industrial level, which differences can easily be settled by following conflict resolution techniques which are often codified in the grievance redress mechanisms put in place by various entities. For the purpose of this write up, we are going to focus on conflict that occurs in the external environment of the tourism business - the conflict over which the tourism industry has little or no control at all.

Tourism, Conflict and Adventure 

A remarkable observation has been made that

 the distribution of produced knowledge, along with the rise of more macabre forms of tourism such as conf lict tourism and disaster tourism, justifies the need for conf lict and post-conf lict management and marketing. (Isaac et al., 2019)

Lisle in Isaac et al.(2019) argues that

 entanglements between conf lict and tourism ‘disrupt and resist the prevailing images of safety and danger that attempt to hold them apart.’

The above citations clearly show that there has been a shift in the way we view and conceptualize tourism due to the affinity that modern tourism seems to have for adventure, conflict and disaster. Past narratives on tourism often focused on peaceful and politically stable tourist destinations. Not any more, nowadays images of danger and adventure also tend to spur interest in quite a number of tourists and often appeal to their adventurous side.

Tourists in Unfamiliar Environments

I have always wondered why many tourists have often been abducted in politically volatile and violent locations. I thought the tourists were stupid, careless and reckless but I am beginning to come to terms with this seemingly bizarre behaviour.

 In fact it has been argued that

 tourists are particularly vulnerable to disasters and conflicts because they travel in unfamiliar environments, face language barriers and are difficult to account for, as they have insufficient connectedness with local communities and information channels (Becken & Hughey, 2013) in Isaac et al. (2019)

The above assertion makes a lot of sense especially when we take into account the fact that

 tourism in these conf lict-ridden destinations is not considered as the primary concern, and potentially the ruling regimes primarily restrict tourists from accessing such areas, largely on the grounds that the circumstances make it unsafe for tourists.(Isaac et al. 2019)

Warner (1999) in Isaac et al.(2019) observes that

tourists who visit destinations in conf lict areas may well like to be able to form a judgement about those societies and their memories by interacting with locals and residents who are experiencing the daily life of conf -lict. 

Dark Tourists

He goes on to mention that politically oriented tourists, conf lict tourists, danger-zone tourists and war tourists are considered types of ‘dark tourists’ who travel ‘to places made interesting for reasons of political dispute’.

In the light of the above assertions, it is crystal clear that for reasons best known to themselves, there is a certain category of tourists who seem to thrive in war- ridden or volatile environment. It seems to me that these dark tourists tend to get a 'high' from such miserable and unfortunate occurrences. 

This reminds me of the tourist who took a photo of a child who was merely clinging to their life due to hunger. The child later died and their remains were pecked on by a vulture in the sight of the tourist!

Whatever has happened to mankind nobody knows, it seems we have been rendered insensitive by the dismal images we watch on a daily basis. It's like we find it difficult to distinguish between fiction and reality. Our daily encounters have been relegated to the experience we have when watching movies.

Motivations for Visiting Conflict Zones 

Regardless of what has been discussed above, however, the decision to visit a zone of conflict whether before, during or after conflict will be made by potential visitors in the light of their motivation for such a visit. The stage of the conflict plays a very big role in making a decision under such circumstances.

According to Mitchell et al. (1997) in Isaac et al. (2019), 

the motivations for visiting areas of conflict will range from personal desires for excitement and risk to those of memory and personal heritage. Markets for such forms of tourism also vary with the stage of conflict, and also by demographic and personality characteristics, as well as factors relating to family history and geographical location. 

 The links between visiting zones of conflict and ‘dark tourism’ are certainly present, but are far from being the dominant or only relationship and influence in the visitation of such destinations. In some cases, the ‘dark’ element is marketed as being a major attraction, but equally, more personal and lighter motives, even if associated with a sense of loss or obligation, along with basic human curiosity, probably explain the presence of the vast majority of visitors to such sites. (Isaac et al., 2019)

If we have many visitors from the dark tourist category, then we should expect a rise in the hotel or lodge occupancy rates during times of war. The tourism business would be booming during wars, catastrophes and disasters. Despite the restrictions put in place by authorities during such difficult times, a lot of revenue and the much needed foreign exchange would be flowing into the national coffers.

Voluntourism or Volunteer- tourism 

Another important and emerging category of tourism is volunteer-tourism, or ‘voluntourism’, a problematic category that typically features visitors from the Global North volunteering for social or environmental causes while on holiday. (Neef and Grayman, 2019). 

This type of tourism could indeed be problematic in the sense that it has a tendency of meddling in both local and international affairs that may apparently have little or even nothing to do with the 'activists' or volunteers as the case may be. Take for instance the recent developments in the Israel-Palestine and Russia- Ukraine conflict. I can say that some of the people who fight in these wars or call for an end to hostilities often enter these countries as tourists.

While some of such tourists may simply be motivated by a sense of voyeurism, others have a genuine urge to help affected communities in conflict- prone areas they go to. (Isaac et al., 2019)

Politicization of Tourism 

According to Butler and Suntikul (2010) in Isaac et al.(2019), 

further investigations of the connections between conf licts and danger in tourism can lead to understanding the ‘greater politicization of tourism’. 

The above can be taken as an admission that there has been a lot of political interference in tourism. A lot of instances may be cited were strangers claiming to be tourists have been implicated in rather serious cases that border on political interference, especially in Africa. A case in point could be that of the recent happenings in the Democratic Republic of Congo wherein operatives from a well-known intelligence organisation were implicated in a case of attempted coup.

Hall et al. (1996) contends that, 

socio-political conf licts and violence manifest themselves in different contexts such as civil or international wars, bombings, coups, terrorism attacks, assassinations, riots and revolutions. 

Instability Deters Tourism Development 

These forms of social and political instability are considered to be incompatible with the planning, development and management of viable and prosperous tourism. Araña & León (2008) in Isaac et al.(2019)

If anything, a tourism crisis often ensues in the aftermath of a major disaster or conflict and is often compounded by negative media coverage, which can have a damaging impact on the image of a tourist destination. Unlike natural disasters, conflicts tend to have a more intimidating effect and, more often than not, tend to scare away prospective tourists.

Many are the instances where tourism has been deterred due to threats of breakout of, or ongoing conflicts. An example can be given of Kashmir and South China Sea which, though they have some of the most attractive, picturesque and exotic tourist destinations, barely enjoy a commensurate patronage in tourist visits.

Terror Camps and Tourism Deterrence 

Though social and political instability are considered inimical to the development of tourism, recent developments in this field or industry seem to contradict  this view. For instance even if the Middle East is quite a volatile region when it comes to wars and terror attacks, there has been an upsurge in the number of military tourists frequenting that area. These tourists are paying huge amounts of money just to shoot at imaginary Palestinian terror targets in the fantasy terror camps that have been established in a sizable number of locations in Israel and the West Bank. The tourists are paying a lot just to act as IDF soldiers and mimic the experiences these soldiers encounter in their operations. 

Isaac et al. (2019) confirms the above in the following revealing statements:

There are some niche markets which are heading to destinations not despite conf lict, but because of conf lict.

There has been the emergence of morbid fantasy ‘terror camps’ in Israel and the West Bank (Palestine) as new forms of dark military tourism. Centering on scenarios of apprehending and killing fictional terrorists, who resemble Palestinian Arabs, the activity provides global tourists a chance to play the role of Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers in dramatic situations.

Social and political instability is not a factor to take into account when it comes to military tourism. As such, the hospitality industry is likely to be doing fine in war- prone countries. I should think there are a lot of war or military tourists in such hotspots as Russia, Ukraine and the Middle East. The hospitality industry must be making a lot of money from such patrons.

Connection Between Tourism and Conflict 

Isaac et al.(2019) observe that

 the core relationship between tourism and border conf lict and territoriality includes conf lict as a deterrent, tourism growth in spite of conf lict, conf lict as attraction, tourism as a catalyst for peace, tourism as a cause of hostility, tourism as a propaganda tool and tourism as a legal justification for territorial claims. 

This revealing statement clearly shows, in a nutshell, the connection that exists between tourism and conflict. It points out that conflict can discourage tourism or encourage it, of course this depends on the objectives of the tourists - patrons to conflict zones. In instances where tourism is fostered, conflict may be regarded as a major attraction and tourists as spectators or even actors or instigators in the arena of war.

The excitement and  thrill of the possible risk of visiting zones of war are two of the reasons why some tourists visit such places in spite of the danger posed to their lives.

As such tourism can be regarded as a cause of hostilities and can even be used as a propaganda tool both before and during conflict or even after conflict. For conflict of interest between governments and citizens, most frequently the indigenous people, governments have often used tourism as a legal justification for territorial claims.

Tourism a Catalyst for Peace

Tourism can also serve as a catalyst for peace in post war situations where people need to work towards a common goal for mutual benefit. This is what was observed in a case study that was conducted in Myanmar were 

informal, facilitated meetings during the initial phase of the case study on tourism and peace provided a platform for previously rival stakeholders to convene and work towards a common goal of development of tourism in a post-conf lict area in Kayin State (Isaac et al., 2019)

When seeking to empower communities in conflict-affected areas by using tourism as a tool, it is essential to emphasize and act based on the principle of priority and sustainability. 

This implies that there is need to prioritize areas that are badly hit by war or similar occurrences. Nevertheless, it has been observed that areas of little or no tourism value are often neglected and often come last on the priority list. Such an approach is not likely to promote sustainable solutions to the problem of conflict. In most instances, such an approach tends to exacerbate disparities within the community and may likely lead to more divisions.

In contrast, to avoid growing disparities and promote peace, community spirit and social cohesion are values that should be sought.

Linkages Between Tourism and Conflict 

According to Neef and Grayman (2019), linkages between tourism and conflict include the idea that tourism can be a force for peace and stability, the niche status of danger zone or dark heritage tourism, the concept of phoenix tourism in post-conflict destination rebranding, tourism and cultural conflicts, and tourism’s conflicts over land and resources.

The above quote sheds more light on the purported annex among the identified factors of tourism, hospitality and conflict. As I have already shown the relationship between some of the factors highlighted in the above quote, I will only focus on those that have not been addressed and will only supplement the views already discussed where it will be deemed necessary. 

Conflict of  Cultures

Tourists often come from varying cultural backgrounds compared to those of their host countries. As the saying goes, one man's food is another man's poison, there will always be several instances of conflict between tourists and their hosts. Of course the immediate point of contact between the tourists and the host 'culture' are people who work in the hospitality industry. Those who work in hotels and lodges need to always bear in mind that they work in a diverse environment and would do well to be sensitive and accommodative to their visitors if they are to prevent or minimise conflict.

Force for Peace and Stability

Just by the mere fact that tourism has often been against war and instability is reason enough to believe that it has a tendency to promote peace and stability in countries that could otherwise might be at war. Of late there have been a proliferation of activists in various areas that have to do with the collective well-being of mankind. There has been a trend whereby citizens of other nations protest the misdeeds of other nations like it was not long ago when South Africa protested against the war crimes perpetrated by Israel against the Palestinian population, or when NATO countries protested against the Russian offensive against Ukraine. Disguised as tourists or under the same pretext, foreign nationals have been volunteering to fight in these wars or have gone these countries to fight as mercenaries.

Destination Rebranding 

Destination rebranding which is often practiced under phoenix tourism during postwar times is aimed at putting former areas of conflict in the limelight in a bid to attract tourists. One feature of rebranding under phoenix tourism is the use of narratives and presentations associated with conflict. In such situations, it can be said that the history of conflict is a major ingredient in post conflict marketing campaigns.  A history of conflict can therefore be said to be the main magnet in post war rebranding and hence promotes the image of the tourism sites being thus promoted.

Legacy of Mass- tourism 

There have also been claims, which seem to be true to some extent, that mass tourism has  contributed to dispossession and displacement of indigenous communities and ethnic minorities, environmental pollution, conflicts over the use of natural resources, as well as political and socioeconomic inequality in many host coun-tries, particularly in the so-called ‘developing world’ (Farmaki, 2017; Gurtner, 2016 in Isaac et al. 2019).

Tourism development projects, moreover, have often led to the dispossession and mass- displacement of ethnic minorities and indigenous populations in some regions. The creation of tourist spots like the Kariba dam  and a number of national parks and game management areas often meant dispossession, mass relocation, restrictions in terms of movement and even loss of livelihoods on the part of indigenous populations which lived in close proximity to such areas.

 There is need therefore, on the part of tourism planners, human rights activists and other stakeholders to prioritize, or call for a more humane and inclusive approach to tourism development that maximises benefits for local people and minimises social and environmental costs; if the above trend is to be checked.

Final Thought 

In conclusion, the nexus that exists amongst tourism, conflict and hospitality is quite complex and quite unpredictable due to variations in the characteristics and objectives of people who frequent various tourism destinations. As such, it is not easy to come up with a general rule that connects these seemingly contradictory facets of the tourism industry.  However, the dark aspect of conflicts and wars seems to be the major attraction and hence the major link that connects tourism, hospitality and conflict especially when we take into account the macabre forms of tourism that have characterized this industry in recent times, as explained above. 

As such the relationship among the three  factors is such that tourism can be regarded as a cause of conflict, a legal justification for territorial claims, or as a propaganda tool before or during war times. Conflict itself can in turn serve as a pull factor for tourism and hence for the hospitality industry, or something that scares them away depending on the nature of tourists in question.

Neef and Grayman (2019) sum it all by saying,

 linkages between tourism and conflict include the idea that tourism can be a force for peace and stability, the niche status of danger zone or dark heritage tourism, the concept of phoenix tourism in post-conflict destination rebranding, tourism and cultural conflicts, and tourism’s conflicts over land and resources.

 It is expected, though, that with an increase in knowledge in this area due to in-depth future research, a number of additional connections will be unraveled.

References

1. Isaac R. K., Çakmak E. and Butler R. (2019)  (editors)Tourism and Hospitality in Conf lict-Ridden Destinations

Oxon: Routledge2 Park Square

2. Neef A. & Grayman J. H.(2019) (Editors)The Tourism–Disaster–Conflict Nexus

Bingley: Emerald Publishing Limited 

Swish Payment Platform in Zambia

 

Photo by David Dvořáček on Unsplash

Swish is Zambia’s fastest-growing mobile payment platform that can be accessed through mobile application software (Apps) or quick mobile phone codes commonly referred to as Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD). The platform connects consumers to merchants through innovative payment services that make cashless payments possible and accessible. This platform caters to a wide array of merchants ranging from street-side vendors to large retailers. Swish Pay is not a wallet but a platform that offers one the flexibility to securely pay from one's available sources of funds. Such sources may include mobile money wallets, bank accounts, Visa, or Master cards.    

What led to the Innovation of Swish?

The idea of a Swish Mobile Payment Platform came into being due to the desire to close gaps and mitigate discrepancies that were observed in the market. Among the issues identified was the poor service extended to micro-merchants mostly due to high setup costs compounded with low demand from target customers and high transaction costs, when it came to point of sale (POS) markets. Other challenges which were identified included low motivation on the part of customers to use digital forms of payment. Clients saw no need of using such payment methods when cash continued to be regarded as a more convenient and acceptable alternative.  

 

Swish, as a mobile payment service was originally developed and popularised in Sweden.

Swish … is a mobile payment system in Sweden. The service was launched in 2012 by six large Swedish banks, in cooperation with Bankgirot and the Central Bank of Sweden. It had 6.5 million users as of September 2018 (total Swedish population: 10.2 million). Swish is a member of the European Mobile Payment Systems Association.

 

How many versions of the app are there?

There are consumer and merchant versions with either USSD or mobile app platforms.

Consumer version

The Consumer version allows consumers to make payments using their mobile phones. Both the mobile and USSD versions support a number of  (linked) fund-source options including bank account, e-wallet, mobile money wallet, debit, and credit card.  This service provides a smart, convenient, secure, and seamless mode of mobile payment in that you can access literally any wallet, card, or account from a single gadget as long as it is Swish-enabled and make transactions.

Merchant version

The Merchant App is separate and different from the Consumer App. Its payments platform supports receipts through the Android App, or via the USSD platform, which can be set up on both mobile phones and Android points of sale (POS).

Swish for consumers

 For the consumer version, consumers who use Android phones have to download the SWISH Mobile App from Google Play Store and install it on their gadgets. Moreover, both  Android users and non-Android users can access the USSD version by dialing *767#. Once the app has been activated, sources of funds can be linked to it, and then payments can be made to merchants from any linked source.

How does Swish for Consumers work?

Consumers may utilize a Smart App or the USSD version to pay their merchants using a QR code or phone shortcode. Upon completing registration, consumers can link their various sources of funds to the app. The app then serves as a payment facilitation platform to initiate or accept payment.

App users can view different products and services available and utilize a separate feature on the app to access payment options.

What steps should one follow to start using the Swish App?

1. Registration

i. Download the App from Google Play Store and install it on your phone

ii. Enter requested details to receive a one-time-password (OTP)

iii. Enter OTP when prompted

iv. Generate your MPIN

v. Registration is completed 

2. Linking payment methods  

To link a payment method to the Swish App,  navigate to the menu on the left-hand side of the home screen and select the Add Payment Method option. When prompted, enter your MPIN and tap the Add Account button.

If you are linking a Master card or Visa card:

i. Select the Add Card option and fill in required details from your card

ii. Using the OTP sent to your phone through SMS, verify your card

iii. Enter your OTP and tap submit

iv. Your card is successfully linked

If you are linking a mobile money wallet:

i. Select the Add Mobile Wallet option

ii. Select mobile money  service operator

iii. Enter your mobile phone number and tap the Confirm button

iv. Your mobile money wallet is successfully linked

3. Paying for products or services

i. Begin by entering merchant till number or scanning merchant QR code

ii. Enter amount to be paid

iii. Type in your Swish MPIN

iv. Select payment method or fund source

v. Enter OTP sent to your mobile if using card or wallet pin if using mobile money

vi. Approve the transaction

 

Swish for merchants

Merchants are provided with a Merchant App that allows them to transact with their consumers and  receive payment. The merchants are required to assign one settlement account with their preferred financial institution.

How does Swish for merchants work?

This platform is meant for merchants and is used specifically for collections. This App has a feature that allows it to generate a dynamic or static QR code. The code is linked to a collections account which may be a bank account, mobile money wallet, or any other e-wallet.

The USSD Merchant Platform also supports the receipt of funds from consumers. As such, merchants can use either a QR Code or USSD platform linked to their account to demand payment.

How can you become a Swish Merchant? 

To become a Swish Merchant, follow the following four easy steps:

           1.  Submit your application

Begin by filling an application blank and attaching the required documents 

2. Set up and training

Upon completing the first step our team will brand your business and start training your staff. 

3. Account activation

Using account details sent to your email address, access your Swish Merchant Account 

4. Support and monitoring

Dial 767 for on going support and assistance to access our 24/7/365 Swish customer support centre

Are merchants supposed to pay for Swish payment services?

 Yes, merchants are required to pay for promotions that they drive on the Swish platform, in addition to paying transaction fees.

Promotions include loyalty promotions and various incentives meant to increase customer retention and increase customer footfall. Moreover, statistics of customer behavior and participation will be made available by the Swish platform.

Transaction fees charged are very low, they range from 1.6% to 2% of annual sales turnover. These fees are charged according to merchant type.

First-tier merchants

These are merchants that have an annual turnover of over K20 000 000. These merchants are charged 1.6% of their turnover.

Second-tier merchants

These merchants have a turnover ranging between K2 000 000 and K19 999 999. Merchants in this bracket are charged 1.8%.

Third-tier merchants

Merchants in this tier have an annual turnover of less than  K2 000 000. Third-tier merchants are charged 2% of their annual turnover.

 Concerning the costs of integration, activation, support, and management for participating financial services providers, these will all be borne by Swish Pay. Moreover, financial services providers receive up to 30% of the revenue from merchants.

  

What are the benefits of being a Swish subscriber?

i. There are no monthly fees that need to be paid for using the service

ii. Low transaction costs

iii. Increase visibility of your showcased business offers and promotions

iv. Access to customer analytics and insights that avail you with more information about your customers

v. Access to transaction history and reports

vi. Quicker fund settlement facility

vii. Boost your online presence with our free listing service

viii. Receive instant notifications every time your customers pay for goods or services

ix. Use only one platform for payments

x. Customers can easily locate your business using the Merchant Locator

xi. Costs of handling cash and other related risks are reduced

xii. Take advantage of our embedded customer loyalty and rewards program

xiii. Gives your customers a digital experience

xiv. Makes reconciliation of your customer payments easier

xv. Consumers have the choice to use the payment method they prefer

Conclusion

Swish has a number of pros compared to other money transfer and payment services currently available on the Zambian market, as can be seen from the above discussion. Making or receiving payments can never be easier and more convenient than they are on the Swish platform. As if this were not enough, there are a number of incentives that come with the Swish subscription. It makes a lot of business sense to jump on the Swish bandwagon, especially when we take into account the fact that quite a number of countries including China have either developed or are contemplating developing cashless payment systems.

 

How to Track Someone with Google Maps Without Their Knowledge

 

 

There are many instances when one may need to identify the location of other people without them knowing using Google Maps and other similar apps. Many things may happen that may necessitate the need to use this technology. For instance, you may need to know the location of a cheating partner. You may have lost your phone and want to know its precise location. Your phone may have been stolen and you want to locate and subsequently recover it.  These are some of the scenarios which will make someone use tracking features or apps on the phone to identify locations. Google  Maps is the major tracking feature that is incorporated in mobile phone devices intended to serve this purpose. In some instances, this feature is used in connection with Global Positioning System (GPS) technology.

While there are tracking methods that solely rely on GPS  or the use of this technology in connection with tracking apps to pinpoint the location of people, this write-up will discuss the use of Google Maps to identify a location. Moreover, as already implied in the opening line and the main heading, our focus is on the use of Google Maps without our targets actually knowing that they are being tracked. It is important to note that, though Google Maps is an app, it can double as an inbuilt tracking feature in almost all cell phones. Whatever the case what matters is that the devices in question are using Google Maps as a tracking tool.

Using Google Maps as cellphone tracking tool

This method requires having access to the target’s cellphone to make the required settings before tracking them. Tracking can also be done by viewing the location history of someone using Google Maps.

 

Tracking by making Google Maps settings

You should do the following to enable tracking on the device using this method

1. Start by opening Google Maps on the cellphone you want to track
2. Click on the menu and select “Share Location”
3. Set or select the time period for which the target cellphone will be under surveillance
4. Click on people and choose your target contact to enable location sharing. Take note that location can also be shared through any messaging app.

Pros of using settings method

1.   It is free of charge
2. It is very precise and gives accurate location details
3. The method is simple to use
4. Target phone can be tracked once settings have been enabled on your phone 

Cons of using settings method

1. Notification pop-ups may alert the targets that someone is tracking them
2. Passcode and direct access are needed to get the real-time location of a phone  

 

Tracking by viewing location history

To view the location history of a gadget, follow the steps outlined below:

1.  Launch Google Maps on the gadget whose owner you want to follow
2. Select “Your Timeline” from the menu
3. On the right side of the phone screen tap on the calendar icon
4. Select a date whose location history you want to view by swiping right and left
5. Select and tap on the date you want to check

Pros of using history method

1.  The method is free of charge too
2. It is very precise and gives accurate location details
3. The method is simple to use

Cons of using history method

1.  Notification pop-ups may alert the targets that someone is tracking them
2. You need a passcode and direct access to get the real-time location of the phone  
3. You need to have regular access to the phone

11 Reasons Why We Fall for Scams

 

Source: Unsplash

When referring to victims of scams or fraud,  many people have a tendency of using demeaning labels such as naive, gullible, greedy and other similar appellations. However, such labels just show a lack of understanding on the part of such people. These labels hardly take into account the fact that anybody can,  at one time or another,  find themselves vulnerable to a persuasive approach. Sometimes even seemingly rational and shrewd consumers tend to be irrational when subjected to persuasion. Moreover, few people if any, consistently make sound decisions under all circumstances.

 

Studies that have been conducted offer a lot of insights into this phenomenon. There are both motivational and cognitive factors behind victims’ responses to scam messages. These factors spell out the psychological reasons why people fall victim to scams.

 

There are similarities in content and persuasive techniques used by perpetrators of mass marketing fraud. Among the persuasion and influencing techniques used by scammers to woo unsuspecting potential victims are those given by Whitty (2013) and the Office of Fair Trading in their publications.

 

1. Appeals to trust and authority

Unless you are an anarchist, you always have respect for authority and give due consideration to documents that look authentic, genuine and official- purportedly from higher authorities.  Tricksters know this and use it to their advantage. Scams often come wrapped in official-looking mail. Fraudsters may even go to an extent of registering their companies, use fake names or use names of genuine established businesses to give their communications an air of authority and authenticity. They may even use images of famous and well-respected personalities in their promotional materials.

 

2. Scarcity

To elicit a quick response from ‘clients’, scam perpetrators often put them under time pressure and often want their messages to be treated as an emergency. They sort of limit the availability of their offer so that the targeted people do not have enough time to reflect on their offers. This is intended to prevent prospects from recognizing the crime for what it is. Terms like ‘limited offers’, ‘limited number of people needed’, ‘on promotion and therefore the price is slashed’, or ‘ last offer’ and so forth; are often used to coerce victims to take quick action.

 

3. Liking and similarity

Have you ever come across promotional messages that seem to say exactly what you are going through? These messages are employed many times in fraudulent businesses to win the attention of the intended audience. As a prospect, you feel like you are going through the same situation as a scammer. Like attracts like!

 

4. Reciprocation

Fraudsters sometimes make small concessions so that their victims can give back something in response to their generous gesture. ‘Clients’ often give up more in exchange for these small concessions. For instance, they may design their compensation plans in such a way that you get small and negligible ‘pay backs’ after some time. Before one realizes the profits which they have been promised, the business could have crumbled.

 

4. Commitment and consistency

Scammers may sometimes ask you to take small and insignificant steps for a start just to test the waters. They don’t often ask for money when initiating a business deal- they just put their foot in the door. Once a victim becomes settled and comfortable, the time comes for the perpetrators to harvest. Victims often follow through with this later stage and rarely back out. A precedence has been set and everybody falls in line. That is why initial offers may involve free membership. Vultures are patient birds indeed!

 

5. Social proof

‘Birds of the same feather flock together,' they say. This is as much true among humans as it is among birds. Once scam patrons realize that more and more people are buying into a ‘deal’, it is inevitable that others will follow suit. Humans have some kind of herd instinct that makes them comfortable in a group. There is a feeling that a deal is genuine when other people are connected with it. All people need is this social proof and they are in!

 

6. Mood regulation and phantom fixation

Most scams are centred around certain promised rewards.  Fraudsters will often dangle a ‘solution’ to prospects’ needs. This is intended to attract the attention of victims and focus it on the promised solution to their needs or problems, though the reward may only be there on paper and not in reality. This technique invariably involves dangling the promise of reward or wealth before a prospect. Scammers have a queer tendency of raising the hopes of their victims.

 

7. Visceral triggers

 Visceral influences are more related to your feelings than to your intellect and mostly arise from impulse or sudden emotion. Triggers used are targeted at human needs, desires, and emotions such as fear, pain, greed, and the need for love and acceptance. These triggers have a tendency of reducing the motivation of prospects to process information contained in scam messages.

 There is a lot of emphasis on these influences in scam messages whose main purpose is to block sound decision-making and elicit a quick response from victims. They may, for instance, refer to your financial or job insecurity to startle you and prompt a quick reaction from you.

 

8. Norm activation

Norms spell out the standards of acceptable behaviour in society. They ‘imply that people should manifest prescribed behaviour’ but not ‘proscribed behaviour’

They refer to ‘guiding behaviour in specific contexts and need to be activated many times. once a norm has been activated, people continue following it. Messages sent by scammers are mostly intended to activate norms such as the norm to help each other. These messages will often emphasize the need to share and help one another to better our lives. While these norms are good in themselves, they are often misplaced and only serve as vehicles to rip off masses.

 

9. Alter casting

To push their agenda of defrauding innocent consumers, fraudsters sometimes take certain roles in their dealings with victims to disguise their real intentions. They may take the role of a dependent or a vulnerable person who needs help thus making their targets take the role of a provider or protector, or that of leaders thus making their victims take a subordinate role. This is the case with pyramid schemes in high-yield investment programs (HYIPs), especially in the cryptocurrency niche.  

 

10. Sensation seeking

Some people engage in scams due to emotional highs they experience that are induced by the process of waiting for the promised ‘reward’. This class enjoy the suspense and false expectation which are a direct result of elicited arousal and excitement. Motivation for feelings of this kind often induces people to engage in risky and irresponsible behaviour just for the sake of experiencing these emotional highs.

 

11. The disproportionate relation between the size of the alleged reward and the cost of trying to obtain it

Some scams will require victims to pay minimum fees upfront before they can get their final promised reward. In most instances what people pay to get their promised package is way too low that they don’t hesitate to hand over their cash. This is the case with advance fee scams.

 

 I hope the reasons given above will give us an insight into the complex world of scams and why even seemingly smart and rational people fall prey to them. 

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