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Charlatans
Recognizing high level cunning and mischievousness masqueraded as friendship and empathy.
— Thread
Recognizing high level cunning and mischievousness masqueraded as friendship and empathy.
— Thread
*I use the word charlatan for lack of a more accurate word*
Charlatans don't care about you, they want something from you.
They don't care how they get it, but since they can't go around beating people and taking what they want, they resort to cunning.
Charlatans don't care about you, they want something from you.
They don't care how they get it, but since they can't go around beating people and taking what they want, they resort to cunning.
Everybody has come across someone like that, seemed like a friend, turned out they weren't. If you haven't, better be ready when you do, because you will.
These people are always above average intelligence, otherwise, they practice this so often they become very good at it.
These people are always above average intelligence, otherwise, they practice this so often they become very good at it.
I've come across exactly 3 people in my life who displayed such level of intelligence and deception (without my initial notice).
Here are four steps they use to get what what they want.
Here are four steps they use to get what what they want.
BUILD TRUST (fast):
Charlatans try to build trust fast. They don't have time to spend months with you because they aren't really interested in you.
They would rather get what they want from you so they can be off to their next victim.
Charlatans try to build trust fast. They don't have time to spend months with you because they aren't really interested in you.
They would rather get what they want from you so they can be off to their next victim.
They try to make you feel like an old friend. You might have just met two days ago, but they are already talking about going surfing together, going to a party, wanting to see where you live, how's your love life, and surprisingly you two share so much in common.
They want you to feel comfortable around them fast, so they can make their next move. They immediately seem to pick interest in your hobbies and the things you like.
"Oh you like to play chess, teach me I've always wanted to learn."
They want you to trust them — fast.
"Oh you like to play chess, teach me I've always wanted to learn."
They want you to trust them — fast.
ELICIT EMPATHY:
Once they sense you're beginning to trust them, they start trying to elicit empathy. They don't do this directly,
"Oh, the house rent has been overdue two months now. Can you imagine? And I make a lot of money from work, but they haven't paid me six months now."
Once they sense you're beginning to trust them, they start trying to elicit empathy. They don't do this directly,
"Oh, the house rent has been overdue two months now. Can you imagine? And I make a lot of money from work, but they haven't paid me six months now."
They don't ask you for anything immediately. Just trying to get you to sympathise.
"I just got admission, it's been the best thing that has happened to me in years. Semester is about to start, but I've only been able to raise half the amount needed. I don't know what to do."
"I just got admission, it's been the best thing that has happened to me in years. Semester is about to start, but I've only been able to raise half the amount needed. I don't know what to do."
"My girlfriend left me. I'm not sure how I'll cope, I don't even want to sleep at home. It reminds me of her."
Once you sympathise with them (ignorantly), they have you.
Once you sympathise with them (ignorantly), they have you.
CREATE A NEED FOR RECIPROCATION:
They still won't ask for anything. In fact they'll try and do something for you. The charlatan pays attention to people's innermost desires and works on them.
If you're broke, they'll take you out for lunch, buy you a drink, chat and laugh.
They still won't ask for anything. In fact they'll try and do something for you. The charlatan pays attention to people's innermost desires and works on them.
If you're broke, they'll take you out for lunch, buy you a drink, chat and laugh.
If you're having issues with dating, they'll offer to introduce you to a girl (and they will).
If you're having emotional trauma, they'll offer to stay over at your place and play video games with you.
You'll feel like you OWE them, and that's exactly how they want you to feel.
If you're having emotional trauma, they'll offer to stay over at your place and play video games with you.
You'll feel like you OWE them, and that's exactly how they want you to feel.
Once they've created a need for you to reciprocate (because that's what friends do) they'll make their next move.
***A charlatan doesn't get angry at you. They don't ask directly, and they don't make you feel like there is a risk in helping them.
***A charlatan doesn't get angry at you. They don't ask directly, and they don't make you feel like there is a risk in helping them.
THE DISTRESS CARD:
Next, they pull out the distress card.
They amplify the issue they used to elicit empathy from you. They will make it seem like they are about to die because of it and since they've been able to elicit empathy from you and you trust them (to some extent)...
Next, they pull out the distress card.
They amplify the issue they used to elicit empathy from you. They will make it seem like they are about to die because of it and since they've been able to elicit empathy from you and you trust them (to some extent)...
... you'll most likely feel sympathy now and a need to help them out.
After all, they are your friend. Your mind confirms this because of what they did to you to create a need for reciprocation.
They've recreated years of (supposed) friendship and trust in one or two days.
After all, they are your friend. Your mind confirms this because of what they did to you to create a need for reciprocation.
They've recreated years of (supposed) friendship and trust in one or two days.
Sometimes it takes a week. It all depends on how much time you give them. They could do this in a day.
What they are after could be your money, your girlfriend, or for you to do them some favor you normally wouldn't consider doing to anyone.
What they are after could be your money, your girlfriend, or for you to do them some favor you normally wouldn't consider doing to anyone.
Most people fall for the DISTRESS CARD.
They just "feel like they have to help this friend in need."
"After all, we have so much in common and what kind of friend would I be if I can't help someone who *cares for me* when they are in trouble."
They just "feel like they have to help this friend in need."
"After all, we have so much in common and what kind of friend would I be if I can't help someone who *cares for me* when they are in trouble."
That's how people borrow thousands to help a charlatan pay his house rent (which you'll never see the house), his school fees (when he's a graduate), or end up having their girl taken from them at a moment's notice.
***This is a bonus fifth step, and they don't usually use this unless the distress card doesn't work.
GUILT YOU:
They'll start talking about how *Harry* a good friend of theirs would have helped them if he was still alive.
GUILT YOU:
They'll start talking about how *Harry* a good friend of theirs would have helped them if he was still alive.
Since they've recreated friendship and trust, you will immediately start feeling guilty.
Like you're a *bad* friend.
*Harry* is a better friend than you!!!
The once boisterous energy around them will begin to dampen and you'll want to rekindle it and console them.
Like you're a *bad* friend.
*Harry* is a better friend than you!!!
The once boisterous energy around them will begin to dampen and you'll want to rekindle it and console them.
Most people don't survive the guilt step.
"I know your school fees is $25,000, but here, just manage this $5,000 I'm sorry I couldn't get more."
BAM!
---Log file: victim no. 285---
"I know your school fees is $25,000, but here, just manage this $5,000 I'm sorry I couldn't get more."
BAM!
---Log file: victim no. 285---
Once they get what they want, they may either choose to stay and milk you dry, or disappear.
It all depends on what it is they got from you.
"I'll be traveling tomorrow, but you can stay over at my house. My girlfriend will cook for you."
BAM!
---Log file: victim no. 34---
It all depends on what it is they got from you.
"I'll be traveling tomorrow, but you can stay over at my house. My girlfriend will cook for you."
BAM!
---Log file: victim no. 34---
Charlatans usually target highly emotional people and they appear emotional themselves, but they are not. This doesn't mean they only target emotional people.
Anybody ignorant to their motives could fall victim.
Anybody ignorant to their motives could fall victim.
The above illustration shows a short term strategy.
There are those that take months, especially when what they are after is substantial (millions).
They use the same strategy, but everything is amplified. Bigger favors, more time with you, and longer to pull the distress card.
There are those that take months, especially when what they are after is substantial (millions).
They use the same strategy, but everything is amplified. Bigger favors, more time with you, and longer to pull the distress card.
Some are on the internet selling dreams to people, others you can find IRL masquerading as friends.
Root them out, beat them at their game. Don't fall victim.
Root them out, beat them at their game. Don't fall victim.
