The list of famous names who have become targets of fraudsters introducing themselves as police and prosecutors on the phone is growing day by day. Many well-known figures, including the famous cardiologist Prof. Dr. Canan Karatay, criminal lawyer Prof. Dr. Erdener Yurtcan, singer Ümit Sayın, footballer Burak Yılmaz, and most recently, lawyer-turned-journalist-writer Taha Akyol, have fallen victim to phone fraudsters. What kind of psychology does the deception of prominent people in society correspond to? Emrah Doğru from Habertürk asked this question to Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan.
In Turkey, fraudsters victimize many people every day by deceiving them with numerous psychological tricks. Not only ordinary citizens fall into the trap of fraudsters. Famous academicians, artists, and athletes, each proven in their field, fall victim to the schemes of fraud gangs. Many well-known figures, including the famous cardiologist Prof. Dr. Canan Karatay, criminal lawyer Prof. Dr. Erdener Yurtcan, singer Ümit Sayın, footballer Burak Yılmaz, and most recently, lawyer-turned-journalist-writer Taha Akyol, have become targets of phone fraudsters...
DESPITE THE SMS MESSAGES WE RECEIVE ALMOST EVERY DAY
So, despite clear messages that frequently appear on our phone screens, such as 'Do not believe individuals who call you by phone, introduce themselves as police, soldiers, or prosecutors, and demand money or gold by claiming 'Your name is involved in a FETÖ/PDY etc. terrorist organization investigation.' In such a situation, immediately call 155 Police Emergency', how can these individuals who have reached the peak of their professional careers still be deceived?
Emrah Doğru from Habertürk spoke with Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan.
PROF. DR. NEVZAT TARHAN (PSYCHIATRIST): THE INDIVIDUAL ACTS WITH A LOGIC OF ESCAPE
“It would be wrong for me to make an evaluation specifically about Taha Akyol here, but I can make a general assessment based on this. In these types of incidents, people do not make decisions with their rational brain. They make decisions with their emotional brain, and emotions affect the decision-making mechanism. That is, we see that the person is educated, an individual capable of making logical decisions, but in these types of incidents, sometimes various things happen, and fear intervenes and negatively affects one's decision-making. Let's say that person receives threats very frequently; in this case, fear develops in that person, and they experience trust issues, of course, I am giving an example, not speaking specifically about the individual. People who are defrauded often show a problem of either not trusting official authority or trusting it too much. Since the person acts with a logic of escape, they do not think emotionally and do what is asked. This is especially seen in older individuals. Rather than dealing with the problem, in such situations, they tend towards the seemingly easy 'give and get rid' logic and do not want to take risks.
"ANYONE CAN EXPERIENCE THIS SITUATION"
I am speaking generally; in such situations, if we think three times, we should think nine times, and act with our thinking brain, not our emotional one. We must definitely consult with an expert. Anyone can experience this situation because everyone has a sensitive point. The people who carry out these scams research and know those sensitive points very well, so they act accordingly. For example, they threaten the person with their child, their job, their spouse, or their state, and that person cannot think rationally because they don't want the person they value and love to be in danger. The fear of losing something they love and value plays a very big role here. This can happen to anyone because everyone has a weak point. Everyone needs to analyze themselves: what are their goals, what are their strengths and weaknesses, their opportunities, chances, and threats? If they know these, they can make more rational decisions.”
Source: HABERTÜRK