Persuasion Techniques Used in Scams

Many scams rely on well-documented persuasion techniques, including those described by psychologist Robert Cialdini.

Cialdini’s Principles of Persuasion in Scams

• Authority: “This is your bank / SARS / SASSA”
• Scarcity: “Offer expires today”
• Social Proof: Fake testimonials
• Commitment: Small actions leading to big losses
• Liking: Friendly WhatsApp profiles
• Reciprocity: Fake “help” before the ask

Understanding these techniques makes scams easier to detect.