Digital Deception: Online Fraud Targeting the Elderly – Patterns, Mechanisms, and Policy Responses
Carter, Wendy (2025)
Type:
Journal Article
Country:
Australia
AI-Generated Synopsis
This piece examines Digital Deception: Online Fraud Targeting the Elderly – Patterns, Mechanisms, and Policy Responses within the broader context of online fraud and mediated communication. It outlines common patterns documented in the literature, describes how offenders cultivate trust and shift interactions onto controlled channels, and notes the role of staged identities, persuasive scripts, and escalating commitment. The discussion situates these elements within themes frequently reported by victims, including emotional grooming, urgency cues, and isolation from outside advice. The work also highlights typical areas of inquiry for researchers and practitioners: factors associated with victim susceptibility, the influence of platform affordances, and touchpoints where prevention or disruption is most feasible. Attention is given to reporting barriers, financial harms, and downstream impacts on wellbeing. Implications emphasize the value of cross-sector collaboration, clearer platform policy enforcement, and targeted awareness strategies informed by real case dynamics.