it’s not only AI or digital tools that are inherently dangerous. It’s us. Humans
Many of us still remember the street hustlers of old—the sly shell game operators, bending over cardboard on grimy sidewalks, shuffling cups or thimbles before unsuspecting eyes, and vanishing with someone’s hard-earned coins.
Some time ago in London, I was startled to see a couple of these old-school tricksters at work, preying on trusting tourists.
In large European cities, pickpocketing mafias have long thrived on crowded streets and tourist hotspots. Photos of tourists securing their phones or bags near La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona or the Trevi Fountain in Rome flood social media. It’s something we got accustumed to.
But today, theft has gone digital, and the scale is staggering.
I always emphasize this: it’s not AI or digital tools that are inherently dangerous. It’s us. Humans. Our insatiable desire to enrich ourselves, no matter the cost.
Humans sit behind every digital fraud scheme: no ethics, no consideration, just relentless pursuit of profit, often targeting the most vulnerable.
My Uncle Was Scammed
Imagine being seventy, living modestly, enjoying life’s simple pleasures… when suddenly someone rings your doorbell:
“Hello, we are bank representatives. Your monthly loan payment is delayed, penalties apply.”
Shock. Confusion. Your heart races. “Which loan? What are you talking about?”
The police confirmed it: a fraudster had installed remote-control software on his mobile, accessed his accounts, applied for a loan in his name, and siphoned the money to third-party accounts.
Here’s how these schemes usually unfold:
Fraudsters gain remote access to devices using malware or remote-control software.
They harvest personal data, credentials, and sensitive information.
Loans, credits, or other financial products are fraudulently requested.
Money is funneled to accounts controlled by the criminals.
Victims often discover the crime only when asked to pay debts they never created.
While investigations are ongoing, victims like my uncle face the impossible: paying off debts they didn’t incur. This underscores why digital literacy is crucial, especially for the elderly. Awareness, knowledge, and safe digital habits are our best defense.
Remember: technology isn’t the enemy. Human greed is. And the consequences almost always strike those least able to protect themselves.
Scams on the Rise in ex-USSR
Digital fraud is surging across the post-Soviet region, and the reasons are as complex as they are alarming. Rapid digitalization has raced ahead of public awareness, leaving many citizens, especially the elderly and small business owners—exposed to increasingly sophisticated scams.
Economic uncertainty and uneven wealth distribution make people easy targets, while cybercriminals exploit lingering trust from Soviet-era social norms, using fake investment schemes, fraudulent online shops, and personalized attacks to reel in their victims. Law enforcement and regulatory systems often struggle to keep pace with these fast-evolving threats, creating a perfect storm where a simple click or a moment’s inattention can cost years of savings.
In this landscape, even everyday internet activity can feel like walking through a minefield—where greed and opportunity collide, and the consequences hit those least able to defend themselves.
Fraudsters have evolved beyond simple tricks - they now employ sophisticated methods like deepfakes, fake websites, and elaborate social engineering schemes.
If you still think these people have any values left, I can reassure you: none of them do. They even try to cheat the elderly on May 9, Victory Day—a date of enormous significance. Fraudsters promise holiday gifts, demand payments for “delivery,” or claim they can help return money to children of war.
These schemes are aimed primarily at veterans and pensioners.
Fraudsters advertise fake goods at discounted rates, asking for prepayment. Always check the legitimacy of websites, arrange payment upon delivery, and verify the product through video calls if necessary.
Investment scams lure citizens with promises of high returns from fake companies or brokerages. These are often accompanied by one-off “dividend” payouts to build trust. Never invest without verifying legitimacy.
Impersonation via phone calls or WhatsApp messages from supposed banks or government authorities is rampant. Fraudsters may urge victims to transfer money to “safe” accounts or install remote-access apps. Banks and police never request personal data or conduct operations over the phone.
Some scams involve fake legal services promising to recover stolen funds, only to extract more money from the victim.
Who can ever doubt that digital technology brings immense benefits?
But it also new avenues for exploitation.
Vigilance, education, and critical thinking remain our most powerful tools to safeguard ourselves and our loved ones against the increasingly sophisticated digital deceivers.