Unmasking and Combating Digital Scam

You receive a WhatsApp message from your relative; nothing unusual, just a simple link. What could go wrong, right? Without a doubt, you click onto it. In a matter of seconds, your phone is hacked. Behind the scenes, scammers are already working towards extracting your personal details and extorting money from your bank account. By the time you realise the situation, it is too late. The worse part? It does not stop there. After scamming someone, these scammers would proceed to impersonate you and send messages to their family and friends in attempts to extort more money. We cannot deny that many people were deceived in this way; even I myself almost fell victim to such scams at one point of my life. With the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI), online scams no longer rely on simple and generic phishing methods. It has since evolved to using sophisticated techniques, such as AI-generated personalized messages, AI voice cloning, fake images and deepfake videos. These scammers manipulate individuals' emotions, using familiarity and urgency to pressure them to make quick decisions.

Photo via RX Name

Despite strong advocacy and widespread awareness, some people still overlook the importance of protecting their online security. Optimism bias causes people to believe that negative events are more likely to happen to others than to themselves, leading them to underestimate potential risks. However, anyone can become a target, at anywhere and anytime.

In combating digital scams, it is crucial for the public to develop AI and verification literacy. One should always pause before reacting and verify the contact and message through official sources or applications. For example, the Truecaller application provides a platform for users to lodge reports and view the number of complaints filed against a particular phone number. Based on these reports, we can better assess the credibility of the contact and whether to trust them or not. Staying informed and updated with the latest AI-advancements also helps to reduce the probability of falling for digital scams. Recognizing common scam techniques and messaging patterns can help us better distinguish genuine messages from deceitful ones, especially when scam messages appear convincing.

All in all, practicing online safety is not just a choice but a responsibility that protects us in the digital world. About Author

Joshua Yip Man Him is just an ordinary teenager with an extraordinary dream to inspire others one day, driven by a deep passion for leadership and volunteerism.