online scam tactics

A LinkedIn survey highlights growing vulnerability among Indian Gen Z professionals to online job scams, with nearly half reporting close encounters with fraud. Despite rising awareness and caution, many still fall prey to urgency-driven decisions. The findings expose how competitive job pressures and sophisticated scam tactics are reshaping trust in digital hiring.

Elderly Britons are losing thousands to sophisticated scams where criminals pose as police and bank investigators. Victims are manipulated into revealing sensitive financial details or handing over bank cards to "couriers." Authorities urge extreme caution with unexpected calls involving money, emphasizing that genuine officials never request such information.

Scammers are using fake AI bots to build emotional connections. These bots then manipulate users into sending money. An AI companion expert shares five red flags to identify these scams. Legitimate platforms offer transparent pricing and no emotional pressure. Users must be vigilant to protect themselves from these online schemes.

Fraudsters are using advanced AI to create convincing fake videos and voices. They impersonate executives, celebrities and even loved ones to trick people into sending money. Cybersecurity experts warn that these deepfake scams are becoming more common and sophisticated. Staying vigilant and verifying unexpected requests through separate channels is crucial for protection against these evolving threats.

Twelve major tech and retail companies, including Google, Meta, and Amazon, have launched the Tech Industry Accord to Combat Scams. This significant collaboration aims to tackle rising online fraud by sharing best practices, improving detection, and working with law enforcement. The initiative seeks to create a safer digital ecosystem by reducing deceptive schemes that cost consumers billions annually.

Meta is intensifying its fight against online fraudsters with new tools and advanced AI across Facebook, WhatsApp, and Messenger. Users will receive alerts for suspicious friend requests and device linking attempts. The company is also bolstering AI to detect celebrity and brand impersonations, having already removed millions of scam ads and disabled numerous criminal accounts.

Meta is enhancing content moderation on Facebook and Instagram by prioritizing advanced AI over third-party human reviewers. This shift aims for faster, more accurate removal of severe violations like scams and illegal content, covering 98% of online languages. While AI takes on repetitive tasks, human experts will still handle sensitive decisions and appeals.

Nithin Kamath, CEO of Zerodha, warns against a rising courier scam targeting Indians. Scammers impersonate officials, alleging illegal items in packages and threatening "digital arrest." They leverage fear to extract personal information and money. Kamath shared a video demonstrating the scam and urged vigilance, especially among the elderly.

Emirates is warning passengers about increasing travel scams via fake emails, calls, and online offers. Scammers impersonate airline representatives to steal personal and financial data. Passengers are urged to protect their Skywards accounts, verify caller identities, and avoid clicking suspicious links or attachments.

Elon Musk cautioned against cryptocurrency scams on X with a viral image, highlighting scammers' use of fake profiles, often posing as attractive women, to lure victims. The post underscores that these messages, despite appearances, are frequently sent by male scammers. Musk's warning addresses the serious issue of crypto-related fraud on social media, where scammers exploit users for financial gain.

Meta has removed over two million accounts involved in online scam centers, particularly targeting "pig butchering" schemes. These scams deceive individuals into making fraudulent investments, often using cryptocurrency.

Deepfake scams are causing increasing concern among Indians, with 84% more worried than last year, according to a recent study by McAfee. Nearly half of those surveyed reported being targeted by celebrity-endorsed scams, often fueled by AI. Festive seasons are particularly risky, with 45% encountering shopping scams and 56% losing money

Kaspersky has released a report highlighting the rise in cyber threats during the Black Friday sale season. The report reveals that over 13 million e-shop-related phishing attacks were detected in 2023. Scammers are targeting users by impersonating popular marketplaces, luxury brands, and gadget stores. The report also mentions that scammers are using tactics such as establishing fraudulent online stores and linking users' cards to gradually empty their accounts. Major industry leaders like eBay, Walmart, and Alibaba have also been targeted in phishing attacks. Tech enthusiasts and gamers are particularly vulnerable to these scams.

Google has issued a warning about five prevalent online scams, including realistic impersonations of public figures using AI-powered deepfakes to promote fraudulent schemes. Cryptocurrency scams persist, promising unrealistic returns, while app and landing page cloning tricks users into revealing personal information. Scammers are also employing cloaking techniques to hide malicious content and exploiting major events to deceive individuals.

Senior citizens are increasingly targeted by online scams, involving money transfers. Scammers use impersonation, urgency tactics, and emotional manipulation to deceive victims. To protect themselves, individuals should verify information, use strong passwords, avoid suspicious links, and discuss any concerns with trusted individuals or authorities.

Meta is rolling out new anti-scam tools across WhatsApp, Messenger, Facebook, and Instagram to safeguard users, especially seniors. Features include screen warning prompts on WhatsApp, AI-powered scam detection in Messenger chats, and Passkeys for secure logins. Meta also partners with India's DoT for multilingual scam awareness campaigns targeting older adults.

Protect yourself from online threats by recognizing common scam tactics like fraudulent emails and manipulative attachments. Stay informed, stay safe, and avoid falling victim to cybercriminals in the digital realm.

A chartered accountant from Delhi has been identified as the mastermind of a transnational racket that defrauded thousands, siphoning off Rs 900 crore in a year. The syndicate used a Dubai-based fintech platform and shell companies to move funds offshore, converting them into cryptocurrency to evade detection.

Twitter has introduced a new 'financial scams policy' aimed at preventing frauds on the micro-blogging platform.The new policy prohibits "use of scam tactics on Twitter to obtain money or private financial information", and bars people from creating accounts, post tweets, or send direct messages that "solicit engagement in such fraudulent schemes."