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The current digital landscape is filled with endless possibilities and opportunities and unfortunately has a not-so-great side. With new apps popping up left, right and centre, some cyber threats aren’t far behind. While everyone is a victim of these terrors, some predators target men. Scams in the digital and tech worlds are becoming increasingly sophisticated, costing victims not only money but also their emotional well-being.
What are the Statistics?
This article is targeted at male readers based on a survey of over 12,000 adults in the United Kingdom that revealed a notable gender difference in who fell for many financial scams.
Men are more likely than women to have fallen victim to a financial scam (9% vs. 15%), and more men than women—35% of men than women—admit to having fallen victim to investment fraud. On the other hand, more women reported having been victims of current account fraud (27% versus 21%).
Furthermore, although 42% of women and 43% of men reported receiving their money back, 17% of women—compared to 9% of men—said the experience had discouraged them from trying to organize their financial affairs out of concern that they would fall victim to fraud once more.
Other sources of recent data have said that 40% of men are likely to be scammed at least once in their lives, and up to 38% of women are meant to be tricked online.
What Common Online Scams Target Men?
Romance Scams
Online scams on dating platforms have become breeding grounds for romance scams. Fraudsters create fake profiles, establish emotional connections, and eventually request money for various reasons, preying on the victim’s desire for companionship. Men should be cautious and verify the authenticity of online relationships before sharing personal or financial information.
One reason why more men fall for romance scams compared to women is that they spend one hour more online than women do. The more time you spend scrolling through dating apps and social media sites, the greater your digital footprint and the more time you spend speaking to scammers.
Business Email Compromise (BEC)
Men in leadership roles or business owners may be targeted by BEC scams. Cybercriminals use social engineering to compromise email accounts, posing as executives to request fund transfers or sensitive information. The attackers leverage their positions to initiate fraudulent wire transfers, request sensitive employee information, or manipulate business processes for illicit gains.
Verifying the legitimacy of email requests and implementing robust email security measures are essential safeguards.
Investment Scams
Men are more often the ones looking to make financial investments and may encounter scams promising high returns along the way. They can come in many shapes and forms and if you are new to the world of investment, mistakes are easily made. Fraudulent investment schemes often lure victims with the prospect of quick profits, only to disappear with the funds. There are also ways for them to manipulate or hack into your accounts to steal private information and passwords along with your investments.
Conducting thorough research and consulting financial professionals can help mitigate the risk of falling for investment scams. If, unfortunately, it is too late and you have become a victim of an investment scam, try getting in contact with professional investment fraud lawyers who can help you with forex scams, crypto scam recovery, and broker scams.
Phishing Attacks
Phishing attacks are pervasive, and men may be targeted through deceptive emails, messages, or websites. These scams aim to trick individuals into providing sensitive information, such as login credentials or financial details. Men should exercise caution and verify the legitimacy of requests before clicking on links or sharing information.
With this information, they could sell your information to other people, which could lead to potential identity theft. If we learned anything from the comedy film ‘Identity Theif’ starring Jason Bateman and Melissa McCarthy, you should never trust sites, phone calls or emails asking for any sort of private information and ignore them religiously.
Tech Support Scams
Some men, maybe those who are dads or just less interested in the world of technology, may be targeted by tech support scams.
Fraudsters claim to represent reputable tech companies and trick individuals into granting remote access to their devices or paying for unnecessary services. Being skeptical of unsolicited tech support offers and verifying the legitimacy of the contact is crucial.
Lottery or Prize Scams
Scams claiming that men have won lotteries or prizes are common tactics to extract personal information or upfront fees. Legitimate lotteries do not require upfront payments, and individuals should exercise skepticism when notified of unexpected winnings.
Based on research, men are more likely to gamble, and with all the adrenaline and hope, they are more suitable for easy-winning sites and new betting pages that are selling the dream of becoming a millionaire.
Final Thoughts
Staying vigilant and informed is the key to avoiding online scams targeting men. By unmasking common tactics used by cybercriminals, individuals can better protect themselves against financial loss, identity theft, and emotional distress. Regularly updating security measures, being cautious in online interactions, and educating oneself on prevalent scams are essential steps in navigating the digital world securely.
