BBC’s The Traitors has captured the minds of more than 10 million viewers. Now in its 3rd UK season, the TV show, based around lying and deceiving those around you to win thousands of pounds in cash, shares many elements with tactics employed by scammers.
They befriend their targets. They work together, often seemingly towards a shared goal of improving their fortunes. Then, at the very end, the Traitor or fraudster attempts to steal the money out from under the unsuspecting Faithful.
The BBC series reaches a much-anticipated climax tonight (Friday 24th January), when host Claudia Winkleman will crown the victor and hand over up to £120,000 in prize money.
Will the scheming Traitors come out on top around the final round table, or will the Faithful identify those deceiving them in time to claim the glory?
The show has captivated the British public for the past four weeks, becoming the talk of dinner tables and offices, while social media platforms have been awash with theories and rumours.
We asked Jessica Hampson, chief executive officer of CEL Solicitors, how the tactics of the traitors often mimic those of real-life scammers, and how the show can serve as a tool to educate would-be victims.
Revealing personal information
“Victims are very often in a vulnerable position, maybe following a divorce or the loss of a loved one.
“Scammers know this and often create a backstory that involves a similar experience of their own, so empathy is shared between both parties.”
In The Traitors, this can be seen when contestants talk about their families or overcoming challenges together. They share parts of their personal life to build a trusting relationship with others. For the Traitors, they do this fully in the knowledge that they will eventually have to betray the person sitting across the table from them.
While the deeply personal stories told by contestants on The Traitors are genuine and heartfelt, they still create a strong connection and help redirect suspicion away from the storyteller—a tactic scammers mimic with fabricated tales.
Getting emotional
We’ve seen numerous contestants turn on the waterworks during their time in The Traitors’ castle—sometimes as a genuine emotional response, sometimes as part of a calculated strategy.
For example, Linda broke down in tears at the breakfast table the morning after she ‘murdered’ Livi in the game. She later admitted to the camera that this was a deliberate tactic to deflect suspicion from herself and gain the trust of the Faithful.
However, Linda’s plan had mixed results—some of the Faithful grew more suspicious of her, while others saw the display of emotion as proof of her innocence.
Jessica said: “Scammers can do the same and make themselves look as vulnerable as possible in a bid to reel in their prey.”
Finding common ground
Feeling someone has experienced the same tough times as yourself is a powerful human instinct that fraudsters often exploit to their advantage.
On The Traitors, we hear genuine and deeply personal stories, such as Leanne’s struggle with IVF and her partner’s cancer diagnosis or Jake’s childhood battle with cerebral palsy. These heartfelt accounts foster sympathy and solidarity, reminding us that these are real people with real lives and real struggles.
But Jessica warned: “When used by scammers, they can be the difference between someone sending a huge amount of money and backing off.”
Creating a sense of urgency
Despite contestants in The Traitors spending weeks in the castle, there are key moments that make or break their hopes of winning.
Armani becoming the first Traitor to fall felt huge, as did Charlotte stabbing Minah in the back on the brink of the final.
At the nerve-shredding roundtables, any doubts need to be put to one side when it comes to casting votes – with each contestant forced to weigh up their decision in the heat of the moment based purely on speculation and a gut feeling.
“We see this a lot with scam victims, that they feel they have been rushed into making a decision,” said Jessica.
“The criminal gangs put pressure on them, saying things like they will lose out on an investment opportunity or a burgeoning ‘romance’ will fall apart.
“The main thing to remember is to take a deep breath and think very carefully about what you’re doing. Maybe call a family member or friend to run it past them.
“Any big decisions must be fully considered, so ask yourself why would someone be making you rush? It is obviously in their interest to do so.”
If you have lost money to a scam, it’s important to understand that it is not your fault and that help is available. Call 0370 218 8577 or enquire online to speak with a member of the CEL team and find out how we can help you recover your money.
