--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Welcome to Think Jessica

 Criminals worldwide are hunting down the most fragile members of our society by "working" from mailing lists which categorise people as being elderly or vulnerable in some way, they contact them by letter, phone or email and try to trick them into parting with cash. 

  Those who respond often end up having their details put on what criminals call "suckers lists". They sell these lists to other scammers all over the world. This can result in victims  being delivered up to 100 scam letters a day and plagued by international phone calls. Millions of silent victims have a condition which Think Jessica is trying to get recognised as

Jessica Scam Syndrome (JSS)

People with JSS have been "brainwashed" by criminals who are having an easy and assisted passage into their homes, minds and bank accounts.

The definition of brainwashing

"To make someone believe something by repeatedly telling them that it’s true and preventing any other information from reaching them"

They do this by posing as various characters e.g. lottery officials, bankers, solicitors, presidents of companies, clairvoyants & FBI agents, some send out catalogues and repeatedly promise the victims a prize if they place an order. Some vulnerable people have spent thousands of pounds chasing fictitious prizes.  Scammers are ruthless, calculating and clever. They use the voice of authority to swear victims to secrecy and scammers posing as clairvoyants say things like "your family are against you" and "those pretending to help you, wish you harm". The idea is to constantly fill the victim's head with the "voices" of these characters until they become unable to listen to anyone else.

Once snared JSS victims do not have the mental capacity to understand they are being scammed, even if they are told time and time again by family or professionals (read Jessica's story). Think Jessica is continually contacted by relatives of people with JSS, thousands of these have emptied their bank accounts and some have gone on to suffer disturbed mental health and have even been sectioned as a result of years of trying to keep up with the criminals constant demands for cash. 

Some victims have committed suicide.

Worryingly many sufferers are socially isolated or have family who are unaware that they are being targeted. Victims of scams or their relatives can make a report to Action Fraud or contact Think Jessica to have the victim referred to local Trading Standards for a home visit. However because victims with JSS  have been "brainwashed" they are willing participants of their own exploitation and have become trapped in the criminals delusional world, so they refuse to co-operate (or "pretend" they have stopped responding to scams and carry on in secret)

As the law stands even if a person with JSS is identified by the police no intervention can take place.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Dr Henrietta Bowden-Jones MRCPsych, BA(Hons), DOccMed, MD(Imperial).Consultant Psychiatrist, Director and Lead Clinician, National Problem Gambling Clinic, London.

‘Elderly people are more vulnerable than most to becoming victims of financial scams as their mental ability to assess risk may be declining in keeping with other age-related brain changes.
 Although Jessica scam syndrome is not currently a recognised medical illness, it is a sad reality for the many suffering victims.'
________________________________________________________________________________                    

This condition is not properly understood because it's impossible for professionals to assess someone who isn't diagnosed as having any mental health issues and doesn't want to discuss their financial affairs. For years these victims have been labelled as "chronic" victims or gambling addicts.

Think Jessica  is campaigning for protection  for people with "Jessica Scam Syndrome" by having JSS recognised as a condition which is treated by separation from the criminals. It’s not just about protecting the victims; it’s about stopping this serious and endemic criminal activity taking place in the UK.

TJ does not want those with JSS to automatically lose control of their finances or independence, but their mail redirected to a relative or trusted person who would return the genuine mail and phone number changed. These victims will need counselling and aftercare too.

These crimes are called Mass Marketing Fraud (MMF) & the organised criminal gangs behind them are estimated to be making £3.5 Billion a year, though in one week Think Jessica can be alerted to victims who have collectively lost over £1 million. (unreported)

  Professor Mark Button, Director of the Centre for Counter Fraud Studies says,

 "In 2009 I led a project for the National Fraud Authority and ACPO to investigate fraud victims and to look at the impact, support they receive. During this research we interviewed several victims who fell into this Jessica Scam Syndrome category, as well as their families. The impact of this fraud on the victims and families was terrible and we identified many areas where organisations and the Government could do more to help the victims and their families"

 Leon Livermore, CEO Trading Standards Institute says,

"Trading Standards Officers up and down the country are working hard to help protect vulnerable people from these types of scams.
  Unfortunately some victims are like Jessica and refuse to accept any help or intervention.
 The impact on them and their families can be truly devastating.  The Institute is fully behind the campaign to get Jessica Scam Syndrome recognised,
 as we believe that this will be a valuable tool in helping professionals protect and support victims and potential victims"