Cybersecurity expert Graham Cluley discusses emerging online scam trends. Topics include social engineering fraud, exploiting access to infrastructure, personal scam stories, and listener-submitted scams. The hosts explore various scams like fake dog rescues and James Brown impersonation emails, emphasizing the importance of staying vigilant online and sharing tips on avoiding falling victim to scams.
Romance scams manipulate emotions and trust to exploit victims financially, highlighting the devastating consequences.
Deep dives
Financial strain leading to vulnerability in scams
The current tough economic times are making individuals more susceptible to scams as people are seeking ways to alleviate financial pressures. Scammers are capitalizing on this desperation by offering false promises of financial solutions, preying on individuals' desire for relief from economic challenges.
Rise in cryptocurrency scams
There has been a significant increase in cryptocurrency-related scams, with scammers leveraging the popularity of digital currencies to dupe individuals. Fraudulent schemes, often linked to fake endorsements by celebrities like Elon Musk, exploit people's interest in cryptocurrency investing, leading to significant financial losses.
Impact of romance scams
Romance scams continue to devastate individuals who believe they are in genuine relationships, creating vulnerabilities for financial exploitation. Scammers invest time in cultivating fake romantic connections to manipulate victims into falling for financial schemes, exploiting emotions and trust to extract money from them.
Pig-butchering scams, which combine romance scams with crypto-related fraud, target vulnerable individuals seeking affection and financial opportunities. Perpetrators often use prolonged emotional manipulation to lure victims into investing money under deceptive pretenses, highlighting the complexities and tragic consequences of these sophisticated schemes.
You've fallen for a scam, now what?
The reality is that almost anyone can be susceptible to scams, even individuals knowledgeable about cybersecurity like Graham Cluley. The advice is to exercise caution online, be mindful of urgent requests or suspicious links, and be wary of sharing personal information. Building awareness and vigilance are key to avoiding falling prey to scams and protecting oneself from financial harm.
Graham Cluley joins to discuss trends he’s been seeing lately in online scams. N2K's very own Gina Johnson shares some insights on a discussion a few episode ago on why people need a prescription for oxygen in the US. Joe brings up the topic of getting and exploiting access to your infrastructure, and shares an article that deals with the rise of social engineering fraud in business email compromise. Dave shares a personal story this week, on how he got scammed from a Facebook post, sharing that it can happen to anyone. Our catch of the day comes from listener Vance, who writes in to share a scam he found via "snail mail," regarding a life insurance policy that he needs to collect on.
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