A predator in human behavior is someone who purposefully seeks out another person (or persons) to exploit, harm, deceive, or use, often taking advantage of vulnerabilities (emotional, financial, social, physical). The harm can be sexual, physical, emotional, financial.
Predators often operate under camouflage—they seem trustworthy, kind, charismatic—until trust is built, then exploit. Their goal is gain (power, control, money, sexual gratification, prestige) with often little regard for the victim’s welfare.
What Types of Predatory Behavior
Here are some categories:
| Type | What It Involves |
|---|---|
| Sexual predators | Rape, assault, grooming minors, coercion, molestation. |
| Scammers / fraudsters | Romance scams, investment fraud, online deceit. |
| Love scams | Pretending romantic interest to gain trust & money. |
| Psychological/emotional predators | Gaslighting, manipulation, isolation, control. |
| Sextortion | Threatening to reveal private/sexual content unless victim does something. |
What to Look for — Red Flags & Traits
These are warning signs of predatory behavior. One or two might not mean danger, but many together are causes for concern.
- Moves very fast emotionally: professing love, closeness, intimacy quickly.
- Excessive flattery, compliments; making you feel “special” in an unusual/unbalanced way.
- Seeks to isolate you — from friends, family, other supports.
- Breaking or ignoring boundaries (physical, emotional, financial).
- Secretiveness or lies: frequent contradictions, hiding important info.
- Pressure for things you’re uncomfortable with (pictures, money, favors).
- Using guilt, manipulation (“if you loved me, you’d…”).
- Victim-blaming, shifting blame, gaslighting.
- Hiding identity or details (fake pictures, vague job/demographics).
- Mixed signals: sometimes kind, sometimes harsh or cold.
- Financial requests: asking for money, gifts, help for false emergencies.
- Online-only relationship: never meeting in person (or always putting it off), with many excuses.
How Predators Harm Women (or Other Victims)
- Sexual abuse, assault, rape.
- Emotional / psychological harm: lowered self-esteem, trauma, anxiety, depression.
- Isolation from support networks.
- Financial losses: being scammed, manipulated into giving money.
- Reputation damage, shame (especially in cultures/situations with stigma).
- Physical danger, stalking, violence.
What Kind of People Are Predators? (Characteristics)
While not every person who shows one trait is a predator, many predators share some of the following:
- High capacity for deception; good at appearing charming.
- Some narcissistic traits: wanting admiration, exploiting others.
- Lack of empathy.
- May have past history of abusive behavior or criminality.
- May be skilled at manipulation and reading people.
- Might be in a position of trust (mentor, teacher, boss, religious leader).
- Sometimes charismatic, or someone people want to believe.
Additional Details & What These Teach Us
From the research & examples, here are more things to look out for / patterns that often appear in predatory behavior or scams:
- Stages of the scam / grooming:
Many predators / scam artists follow a pattern: initial contact → trust building (lots of affectionate communication, attention) → presenting a problem / crisis or request for help money or support → continuing manipulation / additional demands. (Seen especially in “pig-butchering” scams where someone is “fattened up” emotionally before being asked for big money) arXiv+1 - Targeting of vulnerabilities:
Older people, widowed/divorced persons, those newly single, people living alone, others seeking companionship or support tend to be more vulnerable. Federal Bureau of Investigation+2Spectrum News 1+2 - Money requests with urgency / emergency stories:
A common tactic is to invent a medical emergency, travel problem, legal trouble, or sudden crisis → demand money immediately. That reduces the victim’s ability to think or check. Examples: fake hospitalization, need for funds to pay for airplane, inheritance, etc. Federal Bureau of Investigation+2Justice+2 - Use of lies / fake identities / impressive façade:
Scammers often pose as someone rich, someone in the military, a businessman, or someone with hardship but with glamorous or trustworthy traits. Also use fake photos, documents. The Guardian+2People.com+2 - Slow manipulation, isolation:
Scammers try to isolate the victim from their support system (friends/family) or discourage them from talking to others. Also, they may gaslight: telling the victim it’s “just you being paranoid”, etc. This is also seen in sexual predators. Research shows many offenses are committed by someone the victim knows. PMC+1 - Personality traits common in predators:
- Low empathy / emotional coldness
- Antisocial traits, narcissism, impulsivity, grandiosity ScienceDirect+2PMC+2
- Distorted thinking: rationalizing their actions, blaming the victim or external circumstances. smart.ojp.gov
Biblical References (KJV)
The Bible has several passages that warn about people who appear good but are dangerous. Here are a few that are relevant:
- Matthew 7:15 (KJV) “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” Bible Gateway
This warns that those who mislead often disguise themselves with a good outward appearance. - Matthew 7:16-20 (KJV) “Ye shall know them by their fruits…” YouVersion | The Bible App | Bible.com+1
Meaning: actions (fruits) eventually reveal true character. - Psalm 10:9 (KJV) “He lieth in wait in a secret place as a lion in his den: he lieth in wait to catch the poor: he doth catch the poor, when he draweth him into his net.” Bible Hub
Shows that evil people often wait in hidden places for vulnerable ones, using traps.
These passages show that deception, hidden danger, and preying on the vulnerable is not just a modern idea—it has Biblical precedent as warning.
Examples from Recent News
Here are real-world cases illustrating different kinds of predatory behavior:
Simon Leviev (“Tinder Swindler”)
He posed as a wealthy diamond heir, used lavish displays, fake identities to gain trust, then convinced multiple women to loan him money, etc. He was arrested under an Interpol warrant. The Times
Texas Man Pleads Guilty in $1.6M Romance Scam
A 52-year-old who posed as a U.S. Army general; targeted older women, got them to send checks & cash under false pretenses. One victim lost over $300,000. AP News
Man in California Scams $2M via Dating Apps
Posed as a successful investor, used fake contracts/documents to convince people to send money through Zelle, wire transfers, etc. The Guardian
Elderly Woman Scammed by Fake Astronaut
In Japan, a woman in her 80s was conned by someone pretending to be an astronaut in distress who needed funds for oxygen, etc. People.com
- A man in the U.S. was arrested after posing as an underage girl online (chat rooms, social media), then trying to travel to meet who he thought was a minor. CT Insider
- A “love scam” / romance fraud case: The Netflix docuseries Love Con Revenge features cases where people were scammed by someone posing as a romantic partner (fake identity, false promises) to get money. EW.com
- A Tinder user was convicted of targeting single women: he posed as a businessman, building trust, then asked for money (claiming bank issues) and also committed sexual crimes. The Times
These illustrate grooming of trust, using romance/emotion as bait, hiding true motives, and financial/emotional harm.
What to Look Out for — Practical Checklist
Here are things you can do or watch for to protect yourself or someone else:
- Take your time: don’t rush into deep emotional connection, especially online.
- Look for consistency: what they say vs what they do. Do they follow through with what they promise?
- Verify identity: see if friends/family know them, look for photos, social media consistency, background.
- Watch boundary respect: do they accept “no”? Do they push when you’re uncomfortable?
- Don’t send money (or share sensitive financial info) early or under pressure.
- Trust your instincts: if something feels off, it probably is.
- Talk to trusted people: friends, family, mentors. If someone is isolating you from them, that’s a red flag.
- Document things: keep messages, documents—if it turns bad, having evidence helps.
- Online safety: check privacy settings, be careful with sharing personal info/pictures. Be cautious with apps where people are anonymous or can pretend to be someone else.
- Education: learn about common scams (romance fraud, sextortion, pig-butchering scams, etc.). Being aware is often your best defense.
References & Research Studies
- Typologies and Psychological Profiles of Child Sexual Abusers
This study compares sex offenders (against children & adults) with non-offenders. It finds high impulsivity, distorted thinking, empathy deficits, antisocial traits etc. PMC - Understanding the Dark Side of Personality in Sex Offenders
This research examines heterogeneity among sex offenders: how some are motivated by power, some by sadistic impulses; differences in violence, personality traits, background. PMC - The FBI: Romance Scam Victim Tells Her Story; Warns Others to be Vigilant
FBI’s Internet Crime Report 2024: romance scams / confidence fraud resulted in large financial loss. It gives red flags to watch for. Federal Bureau of Investigation - Psychological Characteristics of Sex Offenders (Walden University dissertation)
Analysis of common features, personality traits, etc. among people who commit sexual offenses. scholarworks.waldenu.edu - Personality Disorders Among Sex Offenders
Antisocial and narcissistic personality disorders are common among offenders; also borderline & other disorders but less frequent. ScienceDirect - Romance / Confidence Scams: Cases & Law Enforcement
- Online Romance Fraud – Systematic Review (“Tainted Love”)
This paper gives an overview of factors that make people more likely to be victims, how fraudsters operate (steps, emotional manipulation etc.), and what countermeasures work. arXiv - Reducing Sexual Predation and Victimization Through Warnings and Awareness
This is a recent intervention study: giving warnings/raising awareness among “high-risk users” helped reduce victimization in an app setting in Japan. arXiv
Biblical References (KJV) with Context & Application
Some passages in the King James Version help illustrate the idea of predators, deceit, falsehood, preying on the vulnerable:
- Matthew 7:15-16 “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?”
Application: predators often appear benevolent, kind, or safe (“sheep’s clothing”) but their core motive is destructive. Their “fruit”—how they act, what they ask—shows who they are. - Psalm 10:9-10 “He lieth in wait in a secret place as a lion in his den: he lieth in wait to catch the poor: he doth catch the poor, when he draweth him into his net.”
Application: predators hide, use traps; those who are vulnerable (“poor” in some sense) are more easily ensnared. - Proverbs 14:15 “The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.”
Application: encouragement to be discerning, not to trust blindly. - 1 Peter 5:8 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”
Application: warning to remain alert, aware that danger may come in many forms, sometimes hidden. - Proverbs 22:3 “A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.”
Application: foreseeing danger and avoiding traps; being aware and avoiding situations that feel unsafe.
Discover more from THE BROWN GIRL DILEMMA
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
THE BROWN GIRL DILEMMA 