Who falls prey to scammers most often?TG账号秒盗免杀破解技术

April 7, 2025  16:55

In today’s world, scams are growing ever more sophisticated, and their victims aren’t random—they fit specific psychological profiles. Vera Nikishina, Director of the Institute of Clinical Psychology and Social Work at Russia’s Pirogov University, a Doctor of Psychological Sciences, and professor, outlined five key traits that make someone a prime target for fraudsters in an interview with Gazeta.Ru. These are advanced age, reduced critical thinking, excessive trust, fatigue, and personal stakes. Why do these characteristics matter, and how can you shield yourself from deception? Let’s break it down.

Emotions as Bait

Nikishina explains that scammers are masters at hooking people through emotions. Fear, surprise, irritation, anger, or even curiosity—any reaction can be the bait that reels a victim in. The stronger the emotional response at the outset, the more likely someone is to fall for manipulation, whether that means handing over money, sharing personal details, or following other prompts.

Everyone is vulnerable to these tactics to some degree, says the psychologist. But certain groups are at higher risk, depending on their mindset and life experience.

Five Traits of Vulnerability

1. Advanced Age:Older adults are frequent targets because their thinking was shaped in a pre-digital era. Their brains aren’t wired to spot modern tricks like phishing emails or fake bank calls. What seems fishy to younger generations can feel plausible to them.
2. Low Critical Thinking and Trustfulness:People who take things at face value—whether due to age or personality—are perfect marks. Scammers often pose as authority figures (doctors, police, officials) to exploit this blind faith.
3. Fatigue:When you’re worn out, your ability to analyze slips. After a long day or during stress, even cautious individuals might miss red flags and buckle under pressure.
4. Personal Stakes:If a scammer taps into something that matters deeply—like a parent’s worry for their child’s safety or a young person’s fear of consequences—their odds of success skyrocket. Tailored hooks make lies more convincing.
5. The Element of Surprise:A sudden call or message with alarming news (“Your account’s blocked” or “Your relative’s in trouble”) throws people off balance, prompting rash actions without fact-checking.

Why Are Seniors the Top Targets?

Older adults are especially susceptible because these factors often overlap. Russia’s Interior Ministry reported in 2025 that about 40% of phone scams targeted people over 60. Their trust—rooted in a habit of relying on official sources—combined with a lack of digital savvy makes them easy prey. For instance, the classic “bank call” scam works better on seniors than on tech-native youth who double-check online.

How to Protect Yourself

Nikishina is firm: distance is your best defense. “Don’t engage with strangers, even if they sound convincing. It’s better to miss a legitimate message than fall for a scam,” she advises.

Her simple action plan:

• If someone calls claiming to be an official (bank staff, police, doctor), politely end the call.
• Look up the organization’s official contact (e.g., on their website) and call back yourself.
• Ignore pressure tactics like “act now or it’s too late”—it’s a scammer’s hallmark.
• Stay skeptical: if it sounds too good or too dire, it’s probably fake.

She also suggests practical steps like backing up device data and avoiding keeping all savings on one card. These won’t stop psychological ploys but can limit damage if you slip up.

Looking Ahead

As tech advances, so do scammers. Artificial intelligence now crafts fake voices or videos, making cons eerily believable. Group-IB data shows a 15% rise in AI-driven fraud in 2025 compared to the prior year. Even young, tech-savvy folks aren’t immune anymore.

The Bottom Line

Scammers don’t strike at random—they target the emotionally vulnerable, overly trusting, or simply exhausted. Seniors, the overworked, and those worried about loved ones top their list. But knowing your weak spots and sticking to basic precautions can be a sturdy shield. As Nikishina puts it, time and distance are your allies against fraudsters. Next time an unknown number rings, think twice before picking up.