Here are examples of social engineering frauds targeting adults or youth.

Fake Investment Opportunities: Scammers present themselves as financial advisors or investment experts, offering high-return investment opportunities in areas like real estate, cryptocurrency, or stocks.

Tactics: The victim is convinced to invest in fraudulent schemes by providing their personal and financial details or wiring money. Once the payment is made, the scammer disappears with the funds, leaving the victim with financial loss.

Fake Medical Insurance Claims: Scammers pose as representatives from health insurance companies, claiming the victim’s policy needs updating or that a recent claim was filed incorrectly.

Tactics: The victim is pressured into providing sensitive personal information, like Social Security numbers, medical IDs, or payment details, under the guise of fixing an issue. The scammer uses this information for identity theft or fraudulent medical claims.

Tech Support Fraud: Scammers impersonate tech support agents from reputable companies, contacting the victim regarding alleged issues with their computer or software.

Tactics: The victim is convinced to grant remote access to their device or pay for unnecessary software or services. The scammer can then steal data or install malware to access sensitive information like passwords and bank accounts.

Real Estate Rental Scams: Scammers create fake listings for rental properties or homes for sale, often offering them at unusually low prices to attract middle-aged adults seeking housing options.

Tactics: The victim is asked to make a deposit or pay fees upfront before viewing the property. Once the payment is made, the scammer disappears, and the victim finds out the property was never available.

Charity Donation Scams: Scammers pose as representatives of legitimate charities, particularly after a crisis or disaster, asking for donations.

Tactics: The victim receives phone calls, emails, or social media messages urging them to donate. Under pressure, they provide credit card information or send money, only to realize later the charity was fake, and the funds are stolen.

Business Email Compromise fraud: Scammers impersonate high-ranking executives or business leaders, targeting professionals in management positions.

Tactics: The victim receives an email or phone call from someone pretending to be their boss, requesting a wire transfer or access to sensitive company information. These urgent requests often bypass normal security protocols, leading to financial loss or data breaches.

These frauds exploit common financial and professional responsibilities faced by adults in active working age, leveraging trust and urgency to manipulate victims into giving up sensitive information or money.