Scams: The Power of Persuasive Language

This publication shows how criminals use language in subtle and powerful ways to scam people out of money. It highlights how, far from the popular idea of the gullible or vulnerable person ‘falling for’ a scam, the reality is that scammers are highly skilled manipulators of language that use techniques designed to make people feel at ease and disguise any cause for concern. This booklet will show some of the ways in which scammers use the reassurance of familiarity, our normal instincts to protect, and isolation from support to draw people in and justify their behaviour.