Key Phrases that Give Away Scam Artists

I never cease to be amazed at how stupid people get conned by the Bernie Madoff's of this world.

There are certain key phrases that always give them away...

- "FACT!" - specifically a one word sentence with an exclamation after it.

- Any BS about "energy" in one's body... "energy" is ALWAYS A SCAMMER AT WORK.

- "world renown" but you've never heard of him.

- No cash on the balance sheet, just assets (it's nearly impossible to fudge cash)

- "a type of business that's so innovative that it can't be put into existing classifications"

- "its a question protecting our a way of life"

- Broad, sweeping platitudes and easy slogans like "Yes We Can"

- Extensive use of "we"

- Anything sentence or statement including the word "society"

Talk of vibrations, and any layman attributing their *insert far-fetched claim that defies known laws of physics* to Quantum Physics are other good signs.

- "FACT!" Balisticmousse has real energy, he is of world renown but there's no cash on the balance sheet, just assets. Its a type of business that's so innovative that it can't be put into existing classifications and its a question protecting our a way of life, Can we do it? Yes We Can, working together we can build a better society. So hand over your hard earned now via western union.

Any mention of "chi" and anyone who says "debunk this, skeptics"

I think the phrases from scammers that you really have to watch out for are:
"I believe in the future of America," and "I promise not to raise taxes."

You forgot to mention descriptions of a business model so vague as to be meaningless: "We facilitate the capitalization of mitigated risk." And then there's always assurances that the business is legal. Anyone who uses the word "legal" when not in reference to the activities in a law office is up to no good.

Are you saying Quantum Physics is a scam?
Also, I take exception to the "chi" comment. Chi is simply a term to describe the energy your body uses and/or emanates. Or are you stating that your body does not have or use energy?

reply to post by Hawkmoon1972


It's sad when someone takes exception to the truth. The fact is that "chi" is just a bs term used to sell rubbish books to stupid, gullible people. It is ludicrous bunk to suggest that there is some form of common element associated with all the bodily functions. They have nothing in common and behave in utterly different ways and their actions have nothing to do with good health.

I agree that the term Chi is used to sell rubbish books but it is also a term that has been used for a long time by very valid sources. The term comes from the Chinese Ch'i meaning life force and that is how it is used in legitimate circles. Focusing an energy source IS valid. I do it frequently. So do you. Every time you concentrate to complete a task you are focusing your energy on completing something be it lifting a heavy object or working an engineering problem.

reply to post by ballisticmousse

It's sad when someone takes exception to the truth. The fact is that "chi" is just a bs term used to sell rubbish books to stupid, gullible people. It is ludicrous bunk to suggest that there is some form of common element associated with all the bodily functions. They have nothing in common and behave in utterly different ways and their actions have nothing to do with good health.

I'm going to refine this one a little bit. As a practitioner of T'ai Chi, I can assure you that chi is very "real." The thing is, it is a highly subjective experience,not a physical force. It is used the way a dancer talks about the "flow" of a movement, or an actor talks about the "energy" of a scene. These things cannot be controlled, amplified, generated or otherwise modified by a machine, crystal or other device. This is where the scam comes in. If someone tells you to "feel the energy flowing from your feet through the top of your head," they are telling you to align your spine. If someone tells you that a magic crystal will "amplify your chi," they are selling you snake oil.

Everyone interested in the subject: "how to detect scam artists" should know the milton-model in NLP
(Neuro linguistic programming)

for starters:

en.wikipedia.org...:_inverse_of_the_meta-model

www.worldofnlp.com...

www.planetnlp.com...

It will open your eyes.

(And yes, I used it writing this post ;-)

Originally posted by ballisticmousse


- Any BS about "energy" in one's body... "energy" is ALWAYS A SCAMMER AT WORK.

Another way - the use of absolutes, as in "ALWAYS." Like above.

You have no experience with energy healing, obviously. So, to you, it is ALWAYS A SCAMMER AT WORK." But I have experienced it first hand and undeniably. So, my experience tells me your absolute is invalid.

Experience is a great teacher.

Originally posted by ballisticmousse
I never cease to be amazed at how stupid people get conned by the Bernie Madoff's of this world.

There are certain key phrases that always give them away...

- "FACT!"………..

The fact is that "chi" is just a bs term used to sell rubbish..........

Did you just ‘debunk’ yourself OP?

Another sure sign of a scammer is mouthing off about things they know nothing about.

Just because something cannot not be perceived with our 5 senses, or measured by any machines does not mean it is not exist. Can you measure the energy which passes through the observers mind toward the subatomic particle as in quantum physics’ famous double-slit experiment? Not yet, but results are very real.

Fact!

lol. the phrase

"- Any BS about "energy" in one's body... "energy" is ALWAYS A SCAMMER AT WORK."

Nice example how language can be used/misused.

First of all: our body is constantly using and giving off energy. Eating, drinking, breathing is energy intake.
Moving, growing, giving off heat, is energy consumption.

To the language part:
If you look at a phrase: "Any BS about... (insert whatever )" off course it IS BS. You are making an assumption.
Writing "energy" instead of energy is another assumption.
And phrases with "always" (as mentionend above) are interesting to look at.

And to help the thread: Let's put the CHI-discussion aside.
I think it's an interesting topic : Key phrases, and the use of language and how it's used to influence people's mind.

Edit/Add:
Actually, I just go on with an example:

We all remember the famous phrase: "Change you can believe in"
It's such a great motto. Why ? Everybody want's to change something, everybody understands something different under "change". That's why it's a perfect phrase to manipulate the masses: Everybody can agree to it.
But as soon as you start to dig, it's just utter nonsay, no meaning to it at all.

The same with "you can believe in". "Yes we can"
- What can we believe in ?
- What can we ?

And again, let's not delve into discussion about Obama Policies here, but use of language.

- Any BS about "energy" in one's body... "energy" is ALWAYS A SCAMMER AT WORK.

The brain is full of energy. What do you think drives your body?

Electricity IS energy.


And in fact, since we are swimming in a chemical soup, there is more energy than you can imagine swirling all around you, force, wind, the flow of water, all things break down to energy.

This is simply your opinion.
You are wrong on the energy thing

reply to post by svetlana84


Interesting point you make about the use of language.
Words are multi layered in meaning and can be interpreted in multi numbered ways of meaning.
Images are also the same.
As an artist it is interesting to hear how a painting can mean one thing to one person and another to another.
I am speculating that it comes down to personal experience.
Say with the word Chi - The automatic response of one who has experienced Chi in a negative way would react negatively. Example being a so called Chi healer who in reality was a charlatan and made money off a client who's ailment did not improve could view the whole practice as a fraud. Not that I am saying anything about Chi - Simply using it an example.
But automatic responses are not the true picture.
What I often see is automatic responses based on pre set ideas.

"In my latest book...."
"You can see that on my DVD..."
"Find out more on my website..."

Very common scammer phrases that I hear constantly from anyone who does "The Circuit" so to speak. TV, Radio, etc. This is especially true in the paranormal/conspiracy fields. They'll say enough to get you interested, then expect you to pay up for the rest. Seems more and more though that people are unwilling to put up with that, and if they are going to participate on TV or radio they have to have something of value to share.

reply to post by 1littlewolf


Just because something cannot not be perceived with our 5 senses, or measured by any machines does not mean it is not exist.


What you say in the words above is more relavent than some can imagine.

"According to scientists......" / "According to studies"
"Based upon information from xy..."

Are also typical phrases used by scammers.

Questions to ask, and demask the scam:

Which scientists? Who did the studies ? Who paid them ? What exactly was tested ? How was it tested?
And so on.

Just read the news and you'll realise how often these questions are not even adressed.

I always got a kick out of Kevin Trudeau.

How can someone try to sell something for a hour on a infomercial for a hour and never really tell you anything.

The real joke is how you can find his books in thrift stores for less then a $1 if they are so good why are people donating them to thrift stores.