A mindset rooted in insecurity, manipulation, and control. People who go to the lengths of infiltrating WhatsApp calls, diverting communications, and creating fake social media profiles with the intent to sabotage someone’s business typically have underlying psychological and emotional issues driving their actions. Let’s break down some possible motivations and mentalities behind this behavior:

1. Insecurity and Envy

• Envy and jealousy: These individuals often feel threatened by another person’s success or opportunities. They may be envious of the target’s achievements, popularity, or perceived advantages, leading them to attempt sabotage as a way to “level the playing field.”
• Low self-esteem: People with low self-esteem might believe that they can’t succeed on their own merits, so they resort to undermining others. They might feel that their own value is diminished by someone else’s growth and try to diminish that person’s progress to feel better about themselves.

2. Control and Power Dynamics

• Need for control: This behavior often stems from a desire to control a situation or another person’s life. By interfering with communication channels and manipulating social media, the person might feel a sense of power and influence over the target’s business and personal affairs.
• Manipulation tactics: These individuals tend to use deceit and trickery to create confusion and chaos. By diverting calls and creating fake profiles, they control the narrative and try to manipulate the perceptions of others, potentially turning people against the target.

3. Narcissistic Traits or Personality Disorders

• Narcissism or sociopathy: People with narcissistic tendencies or sociopathic traits may feel justified in doing whatever it takes to get what they want. They often lack empathy, viewing others as mere obstacles to their own goals. Their primary concern is their own success and gratification, regardless of who they hurt in the process.
• Lack of empathy: This behavior also suggests a lack of empathy or remorse. Such individuals may not feel guilty or accountable for their actions and may even justify their behavior by rationalizing that the other person “deserves” it or that it’s a necessary strategy for their own success.

4. Resentment and Vindictiveness

• Desire for revenge: If the perpetrator feels slighted, betrayed, or wronged by the target in some way (whether real or imagined), their actions may be motivated by a desire for revenge. They might see sabotage as a way to “teach a lesson” or to make the other person suffer as they feel they have suffered.
• Sense of victimhood: They might see themselves as the victim in the situation, regardless of their actual role. This distorted perception justifies their actions as retaliation against perceived injustices.

5. Fear of Failure or Inadequacy

• Fear of competition: People who engage in these kinds of sabotage tactics may have an intense fear of failure or of being outperformed. They might be so terrified of losing ground to their competitors that they believe they need to attack the other person’s business directly.
• Inability to cope with inadequacy: Instead of improving their own skills or products, they focus on undermining others because they are unable to confront their own inadequacies. This indicates a fragile ego that is easily threatened by others’ successes.

6. Thrill-seeking Behavior

• Enjoyment of chaos: Some individuals engage in disruptive behaviors simply for the thrill of it. They enjoy the chaos and conflict they create and may even feel a rush of adrenaline when they witness the confusion or suffering they cause.
• Sense of superiority: This thrill can also be tied to a belief that they are smarter or more cunning than their target. Outsmarting someone gives them a sense of superiority, which feeds their ego and further justifies their actions.

7. Lack of Emotional Intelligence

• Poor impulse control: People who engage in these acts often lack emotional regulation. They might act on impulses without fully considering the consequences of their actions. Their focus is usually on immediate gratification rather than long-term outcomes.
• Inability to handle rejection or criticism: If the sabotage stems from a personal vendetta, it’s possible that they were unable to handle rejection, criticism, or failure. Instead of processing these emotions in a healthy way, they act out in a destructive manner.

8. Projection of Internal Conflicts

• Unresolved personal issues: Often, the hostility directed toward others is a reflection of internal conflicts or unresolved trauma. They might be projecting their own feelings of inadequacy, shame, or failure onto the target, using sabotage as a way to externalize their own issues.
• Blaming others: When a person consistently fails to achieve their goals, they might begin to blame others for their lack of progress. Sabotaging someone’s business might feel like a way to validate their belief that they are not to blame for their failures.

Conclusion

The mentality of someone who engages in such underhanded tactics is usually complex, often stemming from a blend of insecurity, envy, need for control, and lack of empathy. These actions are typically driven by unresolved personal issues and a distorted sense of self-worth. Instead of focusing on personal growth or building their own capabilities, they choose to tear down others, seeing it as the only way to protect their fragile sense of identity and status.

Understanding these underlying motivations can be helpful in dealing with such individuals, as it allows for a more strategic response that protects one’s business and emotional well-being while not falling into the trap of engaging in their toxic game.