Young and older adults are often victimized by various forms of scams and fraud. However, little research has been conducted on how a scam prevention intervention may impact young and older adults' accuracy and confidence in determining the legitimacy of emails. The present study investigated young and older adults' accuracy and confidence, as well as potential contributing factors to scam susceptibility, before and after engaging with one of three intervention activities: control (no intervention), read-only (read common scam qualities), or interactive (interactively learned scam qualities in emails). Young and older adult participants were randomly assigned to one of the three conditions. Before and after the intervention, participants evaluated a series of legitimate and scam emails, indicating whether each email was legitimate or a scam. Participants also rated their confidence in their accuracy, the personal relevance of each email, and their curiosity about engaging further with the email. Both age groups showed no difference in sensitivity when determining the legitimacy of the emails before and after the interventions. Importantly, both age groups in the read-only and interactive conditions showed a bias toward labeling emails as scams, indicating a generally cautious approach. Although the interventions did not improve detection sensitivity, participants were more cautious when evaluating emails. This tendency may help reduce vulnerability to scams and fraud and suggests that interventions can encourage greater caution when evaluating suspicious emails across age groups.
Internet scams have become more sophisticated and prevalent in countries such as Canada, the US, the UK, and Australia. Australia has made some progress in effective scam intervention strategies and seen possible growth in public awareness. However, there is a lack of insight into factors associated with profound shame and embarrassment, emotional distress such as anxiety and depression, and trauma and suicide in scam victims. To fill this gap, this perspective paper aimed to provide insight into the factors associated with the negative mental health impacts of internet scams by integrating a narrative literature review with a victim case study detailing a group's experience of an investment scam in Australia. It found that internet scams cause emotional and social issues like depression, anxiety, trauma, and isolation, mostly prolonged upon substantial loss. The author's insight into the intensely negative mental health impacts of an investment scam allows for the presentation of a group who struggled to access adequate support and mental health care in their response to insidious organized crime. Better education, resilience-building, and support systems are needed. These shortcomings call for strategies for tailored digital mental health services such as emotionally attuned, trauma-informed digital companionship through human-like artificial intelligence (AI) applications.
This study presents a scoping review and crime script analysis of the modus operandi of online romance scammers. Online romance scams are a form of fraud in which perpetrators fabricate online romantic relationships with victims, aiming to emotionally manipulate and, ultimately, financially exploit them. The review aims to synthesize existing research on how scammers operate and to develop a comprehensive crime script that can guide prevention and policy efforts. A literature search was conducted in Web of Science and Scopus. The search yielded 318 initial results, which were screened for relevance using ASReview Lab and supplemented with 14 additional sources from reference lists and Google Scholar. In total, 50 empirical studies were included based on their descriptions of scammer behaviors. Data were analyzed by coding relevant passages on scammer actions and process models, which were then categorized into scenes and actions to construct a crime script. The resulting script identifies nine major scenes in the scam process: (1) preparation (the Setup); (2) target selection (the Hunt); (3) initial contact (the Hook);(4) transition to private communication (the Shift); (5) grooming; (6) the Sting; (7) financial transaction (the Payout); (8) the Squeeze (e.g., sextortion); and (9) the Aftermath (e.g., revictimization). Each scene includes multiple possible actions and variations, demonstrating the flexibility and adaptability of scammers. The review underscores gaps in previous process models by highlighting non-linearity, scammer adaptability, and revictimization in the online romance scam process. This study contributes to both theory and practice by offering a detailed framework for understanding and reducing (the harm following) online romance scams.
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.789883.].
Online health fraud has emerged as a significant digital risk for older adults in China, leading to considerable financial losses. This study aims to investigate the mechanisms underlying health fraud targeting and victimization among older adult populations, refining Routine Activity Theory (RAT) to account for the distinct stages of fraud exposure and victimization. A survey was conducted among retired individuals in July 2022. After removing incomplete responses, the final sample consisted of 471 participants. The survey assessed digital behavior patterns, exposure to promotional messages, health conditions, and fraud-related experiences. The findings revealed that older adults who installed numerous mobile applications, frequently used social networking sites, and engaged in risky online behaviors were more likely to be targeted by health fraud. Additionally, exposure to promotional messages-both online and offline-and the presence of chronic diseases were significantly associated with increased fraud exposure. Regarding victimization, younger family intervention was found to mitigate financial losses, whereas older adults with limited digital protection skills experienced a higher likelihood of falling victim after exposure. This study refines the Routine Activity Theory by conceptualizing online health fraud as a two-stage process: exposure and victimization. The results highlight both digital behavior and offline contextual factors in shaping fraud vulnerability among older adults. The findings contribute to the theoretical understanding of cybercrime targeting the older adult and offer practical insights for designing preventive interventions tailored to this vulnerable population.
This pilot aimed to (1) assess the feasibility of "Smooth Sailing After Scams (SSAS)", a novel 10-session cyberscam psychosocial group intervention, (2) explore the sensitivity of outcome measures in detecting intervention response in people with ABI. Of 23 screened adults with ABI, 10 were enrolled (Mage = 59.5, SD = 13.0). A concurrent multiple-baselines single-case design with randomised baseline lengths (2, 4 or 6 weeks) and 2-month follow-up was conducted. SSAS addressed cybersafety, finances, emotions, relationships and lifestyle. Groups were delivered online (n = 2) and in-person (n = 2). Feasibility outcomes included recruitment, retention, attendance, satisfaction, adverse events, fidelity. Scam-related distress and coping were assessed thrice weekly (baseline), and weekly (intervention/follow-up). Secondary outcomes included cyberscam adjustment/engagement, cybersafety, mood, financial strategies, relationships, goal achievement. Data were analysed visually and statistically. Eight participants completed SSAS, with no cancellations or adverse events; two remained on waitlist. Recruitment was lower than expected, but other feasibility indicators were strong. All avoided further scams and demonstrated meaningful progress in cyberscam adjustment between baseline and 2-month follow-up. Moderate effects were observed for reduced distress (4/8) and improved coping (3/8), maintained at follow-up. SSAS was largely feasible and promising for supporting cyberscam adjustment. Findings will inform a future randomised-controlled trial. The Smooth Sailing After Scams program is broadly feasible and acceptable for people with acquired brain injury (ABI).Preliminary outcomes suggest the program has the potential to reduce future cyberscam-related distress and improve coping skills.Findings support cyberscam-related psychosocial adjustment and the prevention of future cyberscam engagement.The Scam Adjustment Journey tool is a responsive and feasible outcome measure for tracking cyberscam adjustment progress.
Cyberscams represent a significant global issue to which people with acquired brain injury (ABI) may be particularly vulnerable. Due to a lack of existing measures, The CyberAbility Scale was developed to measure cyberscam vulnerability for people with and without ABI. This study aimed to refine and validate The CyberAbility Scale. The CyberAbility Scale was refined through assessment of scale response distribution, inter-item and item-total correlations, and exploratory factor analysis. Confirmatory and multiple-group confirmatory factor analyses and psychometric properties were evaluated. Participants with (n = 149) and without (n = 153) ABI completed a longer version of the scale, with 24 relevant and functional items retained. A four-factor model of risk included Past Scam Experience, Scam Knowledge, Trusted Supports, and Seeking Connection Online, alongside the ability to identify scams. The scale had appropriate model fit, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and concurrent and construct validity. Overall, The CyberAbility Scale is a brief, valid tool to screen online vulnerability for persons with and without ABI. Cyberscams are a serious global issue that impacts vulnerable groups such as people with acquired brain injury (ABI).The CyberAbility Scale includes 24 self-rated questions to assess cybersafety for persons with and without ABI.Initial evidence shows that The CyberAbility Scale is consistent and accurate.The CyberAbility Scale can be used by people with ABI, clinicians, and researchers to screen for and identify areas of online risk.
Cyberscam survivors experience significant financial losses and devastating psychosocial consequences. Anyone can be scammed, but people with Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) may be particularly vulnerable. Smooth Sailing After Scams is a novel co-designed 10-session cyberscam psychosocial intervention piloted with people with ABI who had been scammed. This study aimed to qualitatively explore participants' experiences of the program. Twenty-two adults (nABI=10, nclose others=8, nclinicians=3) who participated in, or delivered the intervention completed one semi-structured interview via videoconferencing (Mage=54.7, SD = 17.5). Reflexive thematic analysis was used. Seven themes were generated, reflecting factors that supported intervention outcomes and participant experiences. "Intervention enablers" incorporated: 1) "Sense of community"; 2) "Therapeutic alliance"; and 3) "Well-run and well-managed", "Therapeutic enhancers": 4) "Increasing insight through the scam adjustment journey"; 5) "It's brought us closer", "Positive outcomes": 6) "I learnt how to stay safe online", 7) "I don't feel shame". This novel cyberscam psychosocial adjustment intervention was perceived to support improvements in cybersafety, emotional and social wellbeing. Further refinement and empirical evaluation through a controlled trial are needed. This work contributes to the often-overlooked area of aftercare for the psychosocial impacts of scams, with particular attention to some of the most vulnerable in the community. Qualitatively, the Smooth Sailing After Scams program resulted in positive outcomes in terms of cybersafety, emotional wellbeing and social support for people with acquired brain injury (ABI).Positive outcomes were a result of the group format, ABI-specific cohorts, strong therapeutic alliance and individualisation.The conceptualised post-scam adjustment as a journey was beneficial in providing insight to cyberscam experiences, acting as both an enabler and outcome of the program.Findings support further research through controlled trials investigating efficacy on a broader scale.
Financial decisions are necessary for independent living. There is evidence that dementia and cognitive impairment can impair the ability to pursue financial skills and lead to vulnerability to financial exploitation. Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and to a lesser extent Alzheimer's disease (AD) promote susceptibility to deception. There is little evidence for other forms of degenerative dementia. To explore this topic, we developed a questionnaire that assesses financial behavior in four dementias: Alzheimer's disease (AD), behavioral variant Frontotemporal Dementia (bvFTD), semantic variant of Primary Progressive Aphasia (svPPA), and dementia with Lewy bodies (LBD). Participants were 166 consecutive patients with dementia (78 AD, 34 bvFTD, 22 svPPA, 32 LBD) involved in a cross-sectional study exploring financial frailty. An experimental questionnaire, the Financial Frailty Battery (FFB), was administered to caregivers who were asked to report any behavioral changes after the onset of dementia in five domains related to financial behavior: Trust, Susceptibility to Scams, Behavioral Tendencies, Financial Management and Use of Money. bvFTD showed alterations in all domains explored and was the only group prone to scams. AD and svPPA showed a greater tendency to trust people, exhibit certain behavioral tendencies, and engage in financial mismanagement, but no increased susceptibility to scams. LBD showed deficits in financial management and use of money, with preserved trust and no susceptibility to scams. The presence of specific profiles regarding financial behavior in different forms of degenerative dementia may be useful to creating tailored protection strategies in clinical settings.
Background: Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, constituting an important public health problem. Although curable, it presents a widely variable prognosis. The main tool used for prognostic stratification in DLBCL is the International Prognostic Index (IPI), which does not consider crucial biological variables for understanding its prognostic heterogeneity. Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) play a central role in cancer biology and can be evaluated in affected tissues or in plasma, in soluble forms (sCAMs). CAMs promote proliferation, survival, and dissemination of malignant cells. Although extensively studied in solid tumors, their role remains unclear in hematological malignancies, particularly in DLBCL. Methods: This is a prospective and longitudinal study involving 87 newly diagnosed DLBCL (ND-DLBCL) patients aiming to quantify plasma levels of sCAMs (sICAM-1, sVCAM-1, sP-selectin, and sE-cadherin) at diagnosis and assessing its potential prognostic impact, as well as establishing clinical-biological associations. Results: Plasma quantification of sICAM-1, sVCAM-1, and sP-selectin did not present prognostic impact in DLBCL. However, continuous increases in sE-cadherin levels, as well as sE-cadherin ≥ 126.55 ng/mL were associated with lower response rates to R-CHOP regimen, higher frequency of recurrence following first-line therapy, and shortened survival. Additionally, sE-cadherin concentration ≥ 126.55 ng/mL was an independent predictor related to decreased overall survival. Conclusion: sE-cadherin measured at diagnosis has emerged as a new prognostic biomarker able to predict response, relapse and survival in ND-DLBCL.
Digital arrest is an emerging form of cyber deception wherein cybercriminals impersonate law enforcement or other authorities to falsely claim legal authority to arrest individuals through digital means, often via phone calls or online communication channels. As digital technology increasingly permeates daily life, such deceptive tactics pose serious threats to individuals' security and psychological well-being. This paper proposes a conceptual framework for understanding the phenomenon of "digital arrest", differentiating it from other cybercrimes like phishing, vishing, and social engineering. The paper examines the psychological mechanisms underlying such scams, including the exploitation of fear, authority, and urgency, as well as the social implications of digital deception. Ultimately, the paper highlights the necessity for future research to empirically assess and evaluate the effectiveness of preventive measures and strategies aimed at reducing victimization. This conceptual paper aims to raise awareness of digital arrest as a distinct form of cyber threat and contribute to the growing body of literature on digital scams and their psychological consequences.
The controlled assembly of atomically defined metal nanoclusters (NCs) into extended frameworks represents a powerful approach to developing functional materials with tailored properties. However, achieving structural dimensionality (1D-3D) control while maintaining the integrity of a single cluster core remains a significant challenge. Herein, we report the construction of a series of silver cluster-assembled materials (SCAMs) using Ag12 clusters and directional N-donor ligands of varying lengths. The resulting architectures-1D [Ag12(StBu)6(CF3COO)6(Py2S)2(CH3CN)2], 2D [Ag12(StBu)6(CF3COO)6(bpm)3], and 3D [Ag12(StBu)6(CF3COO)6(tmdp)3]-feature preserved cuboctahedral Ag12 cores connected through directional Ag-N bonding. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction confirms structural fidelity across all dimensions. These assemblies provide a rare platform to systematically explore the impact of dimensionality on function. Catalytic tests reveal that all three SCAMs efficiently catalyze the hydrogenation of nitroaromatics to aminoaromatics, with the 1D SCAM exhibiting the highest activity. This work highlights a rational, ligand-directed strategy for creating dimensionally tunable, atomically precise cluster-based frameworks and establishes a direct link between structural dimensionality and catalytic performance. Our findings offer a blueprint for designing next-generation nanomaterials with customized architectures and functions for advanced catalytic and optoelectronic applications.
Older adults are disproportionately vulnerable to cybercrimes such as online and telephone scams. In Hong Kong, the rapid growth in smartphone ownership among adults aged 65 or above has coincided with an increase in cybercrime victimization within this population. However, limited research has examined the specific forms of cybercrimes older adults encounter and how they respond to them in everyday contexts. Guided by Cyber Routine Activity Theory (CRAT), this qualitative study explores older adults' experiences of cybercrimes and their coping strategies. Twenty-three focus groups involving 142 adults aged 55 or older were conducted in Hong Kong between May and August 2023. Data was analyzed using deductive and inductive thematic analysis with NVivo 15. Findings indicate that impersonation of close relatives, information leakage, and "guess who I am" scams are the most common cybercrimes faced by older adults. Target suitability is shaped by daily smartphone routines and socio-emotional and relational expectations, while motivated offenders employ adaptive, low-cost tactics. Participants relied on both physical and social forms of guardianship, including peer support from individuals with higher digital literacy and the use of social knowledge to reduce scam risks. The study extends CRAT by highlighting the role of socio-emotional commitments rooted in Confucian collectivist culture and by conceptualizing multi-layered and distributed social guardianship. Policy implications at individual, family, and societal levels are discussed.
People with dementia or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are increasingly using the internet, but cognitive and functional changes may amplify online safety risks. This scoping review mapped academic evidence and publicly available guidance on online safety for people affected by dementia/MCI. In April 2025, seven databases and Google Scholar were searched for academic studies. Publicly available guidance was identified via Google and targeted searches of relevant organisations. Academic studies were synthesized narratively, and public resources underwent content analysis. Of 2,014 academic articles screened, 13 were included. Studies were organised into three themes: 1) 'Vulnerability to scams and misinformation', including cybercrime victimisation, malicious links, inadvertent sharing of personal details, and misleading content; 2) 'Online harms', including psychological distress from negative interactions and upsetting content; and 3) 'Safeguarding approaches', characterised by labour-intensive, carer-led monitoring and reactive strategies. The 14 publicly available resources focused primarily on email, social media, and scams, but offered limited guidance on managing distressing content, misinformation, online abuse, or decisions around sharing login information. Evidence on online safety for people with dementia/MCI remains limited. Our review highlights the importance of co-designed online safety initiatives, effective moderation, improved technology design, and policy supporting safe digital engagement.
Illicit websites depend upon abusive Traffic Distribution Systems (TDSs) to generate user traffic for malicious. Traffic Distribution Systems are the intermediate websites that redirect the HTTP traffic from online advertisements. However, such systems also started to promote abusive activities such as phishing, scams, ad frauds, malicious downloads, and social engineering attacks. In this study, we present Online Abusive Traffic Finder (OATF), an enhanced web security protection system designed to investigate and evaluate abusive TDSs and their associated threats. A total of 10,746 webpages were collected over a one-month period (May 15, 2024-June 14, 2024) from four diverse traffic sources, including advertisement-based URL shortening services, typosquatting websites, unlicensed online pharmacy sites, and the PhishTank dataset. We use these sources due to their diverse nature to redirect users toward abusive and malicious sites. During data collection process, we collect destination web pages screenshots, browser, and content logs. We semi automatically label collected pages and use labeled data to automatically examine page content to understand the threats from these traffic sources. To protect users from abusive TDSs, a Convolutional neural network (CNN) based classifier is integrated as a supporting component for automated detection of abusive webpages using visual features. The CNN model achieved the highest accuracy (91.92%) within the proposed framework. The proposed approach provides deeper insights into the operational behavior of abusive traffic ecosystems and contributes toward improving web security against evolving malicious distribution strategies.
ObjectiveTo examine how domain-switching and user characteristics may predict broad susceptibility to digital deception.BackgroundDespite successful automated filtering techniques, humans remain vulnerable to fraud, losing billions of dollars annually. Many scams are delivered by digitally mediated methods, such as phishing emails or fake social media accounts. However, research typically explores susceptibility to these deceptions independently, making it difficult to draw broad conclusions regarding susceptibility to digital deception.MethodWe recruited a representative sample to investigate how susceptibility to deception may vary across digital domains, particularly when switching between domains (i.e., domain-switching). Participants classified stimuli from five different digital domains (i.e., emails, text messages, news headlines, social media accounts, and voicemails), either randomly (i.e., domain-switching) or in separate blocks, and completed measures of cognitive reflection and digital literacy.ResultsThe results suggest that when users struggle to discriminate between deceptive and legitimate stimuli in one digital deception domain, they are likely to struggle in others. Additionally, the results suggest that while cognitive reflection and digital literacy may help insulate users from deception, domain-switching may generally hinder user performance (i.e., slower responses).ConclusionOverall, individuals appear to be consistently vulnerable to deception across digital domains and this vulnerability can be exacerbated by certain task factors (e.g., domain-switching) and user characteristics (e.g., cognitive reflection and digital literacy).ApplicationTo develop more efficacious interventions that enhance user resiliency, research should consider broad training that incorporates correlates of susceptibility (e.g., cognitive reflection and digital literacy), and more realistic task settings (e.g., domain-switching).
With the rise of cryptocurrency, using cryptocurrency investments to conduct fraud has become a common criminal tactic. Drawing on survey data from 287 victims in China, this study explored the determinants and mechanisms of investment intention among victims of cryptocurrency investment scams. Based on the TPB and using SEM, we identified three main findings: (1) Investment attitude and perceived behavioral control have a significant positive impact on victims' intention to invest. (2) Risk-seeking personality traits, laws and regulations, investment education, and fraud cases exposure not only directly affect this intention but also influence it indirectly through investment attitude and perceived behavioral control. (3) Subjective norms have a limited impact on investment intention. These conclusions suggest a challenge to the traditional TPB. The decentralized nature of cryptocurrency may make victims rely more on personal judgment than social influence. This finding expands the applicability of the TPB. It also provides a basis for developing targeted fraud prevention systems.
Chagas cardiomyopathy is the most severe chronic manifestation and leading cause of mortality in the disease. Chronic inflammation, resulting from persistent infection by T. cruzi, leads to continuous immune system activation in patients with Chagas disease. The knowledge of immunological aspects can be important for the identification of biomarkers capable of indicating parasitological cure or clinical progression provides for physician's valuable tools for improved clinical evaluation. Soluble cell adhesion molecules (sCAMs) have been applied in other disease like potential biomarkers. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the levels of soluble cell adhesion molecules in chronic patients with different stages of Chagas heart disease progression. Sera from 303 individuals, classified according to cardiac involvement and left ventricular dysfunction, were used for cell adhesion molecules quantification (sVCAM-1, sP-selectin, sE-selectin and sL-selectin) and it was measured using the Cytometric Bead Array. We found that sCAMs demonstrated good performance in differentiating patients in the indeterminate phase from negative individuals or those in the mild cardiac phase, as well as patients with mild from those with severe cardiomyopathy, and cardiac patients non-infected versus infected (severe cardiomyopathy). Therefore, sCAMs may serve as potential biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of chronic cardiac patients with Chagas disease.
Routine activity theory (RAT) asserts that a suitable target's exposure to a motivated offender in the absence of capable guardians increases their likelihood of crime victimization. We use these principles to assess the extent to which engaging in risky routine activities-for example, entering sweepstakes drawings, answering unknown calls-is associated with victimization frequency among older adult mass marketing fraud victims across five types of scams: investment fraud, sweepstakes and lottery fraud, romance and family/friend imposter scams, fake products and services, and charity scams. We also examine whether financial and social vulnerability characteristics (loneliness, preference for taking financial risks, financial fragility) are associated with victimization frequency in older adults. A survey was administered to households that the U.S. Postal Inspection Service identified as having recently responded to one or more mail scam solicitations. Respondents answered questions on their behaviors, financial risk preferences, social and demographic characteristics, and number of past-year victimization experiences with 5 types of fraud. As predicted based on RAT, routine activities that increase a target's exposure to motivated offenders are positively associated with fraud victimization frequency, although more frequent online activity was negatively associated with victimization frequency contrary to hypotheses. Precarious financial and emotional states such as financial fragility and loneliness also were associated with greater victimization frequency, and more frequent social engagement and living with others (the presence of capable guardians) had no effect. Target suitability factors such as loneliness, financial fragility, and risky financial preferences and behaviors are associated with a higher frequency of fraud victimization among older adults. Consumer education should include information on reducing risky behaviors that can increase fraud exposure. More frequent social engagement may not be protective. Older adults who are financially fragile and experiencing loneliness require more safeguards.
While digital health tools are now routinely encouraged across UK health and social care, older adults - particularly those managing multiple long-term conditions - continue to be under-represented in community-based research. Exploring why engagement falls short is essential for improving involvement in technology-supported ageing initiatives. This paper reports findings from a qualitative study exploring barriers to participation in a digital health research project involving older adults. The qualitative work included a workshop with recruitment staff (n = 4), and discussions with key gatekeepers - community organisation leads (n = 4) and carers of older adults (n = 2). Data were analysed using a Framework-guided approach. The qualitative component was embedded within a feasibility study designed to examine a smart-meter mobile application intended to monitor everyday electricity-use patterns among housebound adults aged ≥ 65, with the aim of detecting shifts in daily routines that may signal changes in health. Recruitment took place across the East Midlands between 2021 and 2022, during a period shaped by COVID-19 recovery and the national cost-of-living crisis, but yielded minimal uptake and did not proceed to data collection. Analysis of the qualitative data identified four interrelated influences shaping decisions not to participate: misunderstandings about the purpose and function of the technology; heightened mistrust and privacy concerns in the context of rising energy prices; limited motivation to engage in research alongside a desire to avoid being associated with "frailty"; and the broader environment of pandemic fatigue and increased exposure to technology-related scams. Some older adults expressed concerns that their energy data might be misused - for billing or by criminals - and several avoided telephone contact altogether, describing the phone as no longer a safe place. Involving older adults in digital-health studies that draw on domestic energy data must account for the broader social and economic environment. Financial strain, digital fraud, and pandemic-related mistrust all influenced disengagement. Early community involvement, co-design, and opportunities to discuss or engage directly with the technology may support more confident and informed participation in future research.