Mikkel Christensen
Scammers are increasingly shifting their focus away from breaking into systems and toward manipulating individuals.
Scammers are increasingly shifting their focus away from breaking into systems and toward manipulating individuals.
As artificial intelligence tools become more advanced, fraud schemes are growing more convincing and harder to detect.
Experts say the real vulnerability is no longer technology, but human behaviour.
Human factor exposed
According to an AOL report, based on content produced by Wells Fargo and distributed by Stacker, cybercriminals are focusing on psychological tactics to deceive victims.
“Scammers prey on your trust, your emotions, and your wallet,” said Sarah Gosler, a cybersecurity expert at Wells Fargo.
She added that “consumer awareness is a critical component of strong cybersecurity,” highlighting the role individuals play in preventing attacks.
AI boosts deception
Many scams begin long before a victim is contacted. Fraudsters first build detailed profiles using personal data gathered from social media, public records and past breaches.
That information is then used to craft messages that feel personal and legitimate, whether through emails, texts or phone calls.
With AI tools, those messages can now include realistic voices or videos that mimic trusted people or institutions.
Dark web pipeline
Much of the data fueling these attacks comes from the dark web, where stolen personal information is bought and sold.
“Scammers frequent these hidden marketplaces to acquire vast amounts of personal details,” Gosler said.
Research cited in the report shows how widespread the problem is, with 7 in 10 scam victims also tricked into handing over personal information such as email addresses, phone numbers or banking details.
Pressure tactics used
Once contact is made, the approach is often fast and emotionally charged.
“Scammers are master manipulators. They exploit natural human responses like urgency, distraction, fear, or even the promise of a big reward,” Gosler said.
Victims may be pushed to act quickly, whether by sharing sensitive data, sending money or granting access to accounts before they have time to verify the request.
Staying alert
Basic precautions remain one of the strongest defenses. Taking a moment to verify unexpected messages, avoiding unknown links and limiting how much personal information is shared online can reduce risk.
Unusual voice patterns, mismatched video movements or urgent demands for money are common warning signs.
“Stay informed, stay skeptical,” Gosler said. “And always remember, while scammers and their technologies are constantly getting smarter, so are we.”
Sources: AOL, Wells Fargo, Stacker
