Strangers With Candy

pred·a·tor

n.: One that victimizes, plunders, or destroys, especially for one’s own gain. (1)

It’s rarely easy to spot a predator.  Even criminal profilers struggle with this.

Predators come from all kinds of different backgrounds, work in a variety of fields, and engage in different kinds of outside activities.

Sometimes, when a predator’s revealed, he or she is someone who was regarded as a pillar of the community.

There are many types of predators, including financial predators and sexual predators.

The mindset of a predator is difficult for the rest of us to fathom.  The whole concept of taking what you want from others, without regard for the effect on them, is alien to most of us.  It’s this inability to conceive of the danger that makes us most vulnerable.  Beyond that, one of the things that enables many predators to succeed is their uncommon ability to present themselves in ways that gain the trust of potential victims.

Often, predators attract victims by making promises for things they know the victims want or need. It’s always good to remember: 

If something seems too good to be true,

it probably is too good to be true.