Bachelor of Science in Scamming & Methodology (BSSM)

Mastering the Psychology, Tactics, and Ethics of Deception (For Research Purposes Only)


  • Program Overview

    The Bachelor of Science in Scamming Methodology (BSSM) offers students a rigorous exploration of deception and manipulation as tools of persuasion and control. Students will learn to analyze historical scams, understand the psychology of human gullibility, and develop methods for identifying and countering fraudulent schemes. While the curriculum delves deeply into the craft of scamming, ethical considerations and practical applications (e.g., cybersecurity, fraud prevention) are emphasized throughout.


  • Program Objectives

    Graduates of this program will:

    1. Understand the historical, cultural, and psychological foundations of scams and frauds.

    2. Master the art of persuasion and manipulation for academic and professional analysis.

    3. Design and execute hypothetical scams as controlled academic experiments.

    4. Learn techniques to identify, counteract, and prevent scams in the modern era.

  • Degree Requirements

    • Completion of 120 credits, including core courses, electives, and a capstone project.

    • Successful participation in a practical simulation of scam scenarios.

    • Ethical certification emphasizing fraud prevention and responsible application.

Program Structure:

Year 1: Foundations of Scamming

SCM 101: Introduction to Scamming Methodology

Overview of scamming techniques and their societal impact.

Case studies: Ponzi schemes, Nigerian Prince emails.

PSY 110: The Psychology of Persuasion

Principles of influence, gullibility, and emotional manipulation.

HIS 120: Great Scams in History

Analyzing historical scams, from the South Sea Bubble to Theranos.

COM 105: Lying with Confidence

How to craft believable narratives and maintain credibility.

Elective: Intro to Misdirection or Basic Acting Skills.

Fall Semester

SCM 102: Anatomy of a Scam

Breaking down the components of a successful con.

LAW 130: Legal Gray Areas in Deception

Exploring the legal limits of scams and fraud.

SOC 115: Social Engineering Basics

Exploiting trust within groups and organizations.

CORE 100: Intro to Fake Documentation

Fundamentals of creating convincing counterfeit materials.

Elective: Intro to Photoshop or Social Media Manipulation.

Spring Semester

Year 2: Advanced Techniques

SCM 201: Emotional Manipulation and Vulnerability

Targeting specific demographics and exploiting weaknesses.

TECH 220: Digital Scamming

Email phishing, fake websites, and deepfakes.

PHI 210: Ethics of Deception

Balancing knowledge with morality: when is deception justified?

COM 210: Building Charisma for Scams

Enhancing trustworthiness and charm.

Elective: Magic Tricks as a Form of Deception.

Fall Semester

SCM 202: Scam Design and Execution

Designing and simulating harmless scams for research purposes.

PSY 230: The Victim’s Mindset

Understanding why people fall for scams.

TECH 225: Advanced Cyber Scamming

Creating convincing bots and automated scams.

ECO 205: Financial Fraud and Ponzi Economics

How scams exploit economic systems.

Elective: Video Editing for Fake News.

Spring Semester

Year 3: Specialized Scamming

SCM 301: Multi-Level Marketing (MLM): A Business or a Scam?

Dissecting pyramid schemes and MLM tactics.

SOC 310: Scamming Across Cultures

Cultural differences in scam techniques and responses.

HIS 320: Scammers of the Modern Era

Examining figures like Anna Sorokin and Bernie Madoff.

PSY 315: Fear, Hope, and Scam Tactics

Using emotional extremes to manipulate decisions.

Elective: Crisis Communication or Public Relations Spin.

Fall Semester

SCM 302: Counter-Scamming Tactics

Techniques for identifying and exposing scams.

LAW 320: International Scamming Laws

The global landscape of fraud legislation.

TECH 330: Blockchain and Crypto Scams

Understanding crypto fraud and rug pulls.

ART 305: Visual Elements of Convincing Scams

Designing logos, branding, and websites to deceive.

Elective: Gamification of Scams.

Spring Semester

Year 4: Capstone and Real-World Application

SCM 401: The Ethical Scammer

Using scamming techniques for good, such as phishing for cybersecurity training.

SCM 402: Advanced Role-Playing and Simulation

Students design and execute controlled scams on their classmates (with consent).

PSY 410: Recovery and Counseling for Scam Victims

Helping victims recover and rebuild trust.

TECH 420: AI and the Future of Scamming

The role of artificial intelligence in the next generation of fraud.

Fall Semester

Capstone Project:

Students must design a comprehensive scam concept (entirely theoretical) and present its mechanisms, target demographics, and countermeasures.

Internship:

Work with cybersecurity firms, fraud prevention organizations, or ethical hacking teams.

Final Exam:

Create a plan to counteract a major historical scam.

Spring Semester