Understanding the Culture of Scams in India

During my recent visit to Kanpur for dashahara, a festival celebrating the victory of righteousness over evil, I had an experience that provided an intriguing insight into the widespread phenomenon of scams in India. On a rainy evening, I ventured to Lal Bangala bazaar with my family to attend to some work.

A Real-World Encounter with Scams

The bazaar was bustling as usual, and I parked my car before stepping out. The streets were crowded, and it was a chaotic scene. Suddenly, a man approached me, asking for help. He told me he had forgotten his wallet at home and needed my help to get his car refilled. Alongside, his friend, also pretending to be a lawyer and architect, tried to swindle me further. Assuming it was a minor request, I complied and gave them 200 rupees, exchanging phone numbers with false promises of repayment. As I left, they reappeared moments later, telling me I had lied and that they were not from around there. They insisted I pay at least 3 liters of petrol, pointing out that they did not know where the petrol pump was. My suspicions grew after recognizing their car emblazoned with an advocate sticker and observing their apparent sophistication with modern technology.

Scams and Modern Society

My troubling experience, unfortunately, is not an isolated incident. Scams in India are a well-documented narrative, especially targeting the middle class. The ease with which scammers can operate underscores a vast and complex web of societal issues. From local police constables to national-level officials, corruption is pervasive, and scams emerge as a consequence of this systemic decay. Notably, the normalization of scams is exacerbated by the collective insanity that can overtake entire communities, groups, and even national identities.

Cultural and Social Factors

One intriguing aspect of scam culture in India is the network effect coupled with the FOMO, or fear of missing out. Large-scale scams often require only a few initiators, around whom an innocence can form. These initiators might be actors in a broader scam ecosystem, where others are convinced to participate in the ruse due to the perceived 'miracle' or benefit they might receive. It is essentially a chain reaction that can lead to widespread trust erosion and rampant fraud.

Why Scams Are Easy in India

There are several reasons why scams are so easy in India. Firstly, the deep-seated corruption at all levels of society leaves a fertile ground for scammers. From MP and MLA to police and public servants, the fabric of trust in many institutions is frayed. Scammers exploit this to create illusions of legitimacy and security, deceiving vulnerable individuals into parting with their hard-earned money.

Friedrich Nietzsche’s Insight

In individuals insanity is rare but in groups parties nations and epochs it is the rule. – Friedrich Nietzsche

Nietzsche's observation holds profound relevance in understanding the prevalence of scams in India. The collective insanity rooted in social and systemic corruption leads to a pervasive culture of mistrust. Scammers can thrive in such an environment, where skepticism is the norm rather than the exception. It is a disturbing cycle where trust is eroded, and the fear of being left out incentivizes participation in unethical practices.

Conclusion

The ease with which scams operate in India is a multifaceted issue, stemming from deep-seated social and cultural factors. While the root causes of scams are complex, addressing systemic corruption and rebuilding trust within institutions is a critical step towards mitigating this pervasive menace. It requires a collective effort, from individuals to policymakers, to foster an environment of transparency and accountability. Only through such efforts can we hope to curb the cycle of scams and create a more just and equitable society.