{"id":201617,"date":"2025-07-01T10:49:09","date_gmt":"2025-07-01T08:49:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/travel-advisor.eu\/?p=201617"},"modified":"2025-07-01T10:49:09","modified_gmt":"2025-07-01T08:49:09","slug":"1-in-5-tourists-scammed-psychologist-explains-red-flags-youre-missing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/travel-advisor.eu\/en\/1-in-5-tourists-scammed-psychologist-explains-red-flags-youre-missing\/","title":{"rendered":"1 in 5 Tourists Scammed – Psychologist Explains Red Flags You\u2019re Missing"},"content":{"rendered":"

With nearly\u00a01 in 5 having experienced a travel scam<\/strong>, tourists are still being targeted in person, from fake charity petitions to free flowers and bracelets. And while people are keeping an eye out for online scams, real-world fraud can catch us off guard, especially on holiday.<\/p>\n

So,\u00a0how can tourists keep an eye out<\/strong>\u00a0for when someone is being deceitful?<\/h1>\n

To understand the psychology behind this,\u00a0poker-pros at<\/strong>\u00a0VIP Grinders<\/a>\u00a0and clinical psychologist\u00a0Amber Johnston<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0analyse and share the most common cues that may signal someone is lying.<\/p>\n

The Psychology of the Scam: How to Spot a Liar While Travelling This Summer<\/strong><\/p>\n

When somebody lies, they activate three key areas of the brain: the prefrontal cortex (responsible for thinking and planning), parietal lobes (involved in self-monitoring based on the environment) and the anterior cingulate cortex (supports attention and working memory). These three areas are extremely demanding and require more conscious effort than usual. Some studies suggest that this extra cognitive load produces subtle behavioural results.<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Slower speech and pauses<\/strong><\/p>\n

Many people believe that liars often speak fast and overexplain, but several studies report the opposite – pauses and delays in speech. The longer it takes to respond, the more likely it could be perceived as a lie. This happens because the prefrontal cortex becomes highly active when lying, and this part of the brain works harder than usual. Because of the increased brain activity, it takes longer to get the new story straight and work out the details, resulting in slower speech and more pauses.<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Stillness and frozen body<\/strong><\/p>\n

Despite often expecting liars to fidget and appear nervous, in reality, they may become more still and composed. Because of the mental energy taken up, the brain is extremely busy managing the lie, recalling details and making their story consistent. The body may respond by reducing movement to maintain focus and conserve energy. For some, this can result in more deliberate and controlled hand gestures and movements.<\/p>\n

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3.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Talking too little<\/strong><\/p>\n

The best liars speak quickly to conceal their deceit; however, not everyone is a good liar. Shorter responses and fewer details are common due to the energy it takes to come up with a lie on the spot. Additionally, liars don\u2019t want to be found out, providing as few details as possible to reduce the risk of slipping up. If someone usually speaks more and this behaviour seems out of character, this can be a strong indicator.<\/p>\n

4.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Sweating and dry mouth<\/strong><\/p>\n

Alongside the verbal cues, physical signs of stress are a big indicator of whether or not somebody\u2019s lying. It’s thought that the fight or flight response may come into action when lying, especially if there is any feeling of guilt. This trigger manifests in a variety of physical signs, including sweating, which is stimulated by adrenaline and similar hormones, and dry mouth, which is a result of the body redirecting blood flow away from saliva production.<\/p>\n

5.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Unnatural eye contact<\/strong><\/p>\n

A\u00a02016 study<\/a>\u00a0found that gaze aversion was the behaviour most associated with deception, but this isn\u2019t necessarily true. There is no reliable indicator that a lack of eye contact means someone is lying. However, a change in normal eye behaviour should be taken into account. Because lying takes effort, people often try to control their behaviour and often overcompensate with eye contact. This can be a visible effect of the brain’s effort to self-monitor whilst lying.<\/p>\n

Ljubljana Card 2025 \u2013 Is It Worth It? Attractions, Transport & Prices Explained<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n