Cybersecurity experts warn AI-powered scams are increasingly targeting elderly people’s savings

Abu Dhabi: Two cybersecurity experts warned of increasingly sophisticated electronic fraud targeting the savings of elderly people, stressing that the greatest danger lies in fraudsters shifting their focus from hacking devices and systems to exploiting human trust and manipulating emotions. They said such psychological techniques can deceive anyone, regardless of their educational background. The experts explained that criminal groups exploit some elderly people’s unfamiliarity with rapidly evolving banking applications and digital technology. Fraudsters are also using artificial intelligence to imitate the voices of children and relatives and persuade victims to transfer money without verifying the request. The Ministry of Interior said elderly people are among the groups targeted by cyber fraudsters, who exploit their trust in official authorities and willingness to help family members. It said advances in artificial intelligence have enabled fraudsters to imitate the voices of relatives using short audio recordings, which can then be used to deceive victims into transferring money or disclosing personal information. Cybersecurity expert Engineer Ahmed Al Zarouni Cybersecurity expert Engineer Ahmed Al Zarouni explained that scammers target elderly people for several reasons, including some people’s limited knowledge of modern electronic fraud techniques amid the rapid development of digital technology, social media and banking applications. Scammers also seek to exploit their trust. He stressed that elderly people are not less aware or less capable of making decisions, but may be less familiar with evolving fraud techniques. “The fraudster does not rely only on hacking devices, but relies more on hacking people’s trust and manipulating their feelings, methods that can victimise anyone, regardless of their age or educational level,” he said. Al Zarouni outlined some of the most prominent forms of electronic fraud targeting elderly people. Among the most common are fraudulent calls and messages impersonating official bodies or banks. The scammer may claim there is a problem with a bank account or that customer information needs to be updated before asking for bank card details or a verification code sent to the victim’s phone. Another common method involves sending fake links through text messages or WhatsApp, claiming there is a postal delivery, traffic fine or financial reward. The aim is to persuade victims to enter their personal and banking information. “We are witnessing an evolution in fraud operations using artificial intelligence, where it has become possible to imitate people’s voices and create fake audio and video clips. An elderly person may receive a call that sounds like it is from his son or a relative asking for an urgent money transfer as a result of a problem or accident,” he said. Al Zarouni added: “There is also investment fraud through promises of high and guaranteed returns, emotional fraud that relies on building fake relationships to gain trust, in addition to fraud through fake technical support, where the fraudster convinces the victim to install an application that allows him to remotely control the phone and access sensitive information.” He warned that scams have become increasingly convincing, making it difficult to distinguish genuine messages and calls from fraudulent ones based solely on appearance or voice. Al Zarouni stressed that protecting elderly people begins with continuous awareness campaigns delivered in simple language suited to their everyday use of technology. Family members should also help them recognise emerging fraud techniques. He warned against sharing passwords, banking information or verification codes with anyone, even if the person claims to represent a bank or official authority. He also cautioned against clicking unknown links, downloading applications from unofficial app stores or making financial decisions under pressure. Fraudsters, he said, often create a sense of fear or urgency to push victims into acting impulsively. “If you receive a call from a family member requesting an urgent money transfer, you should end the call and contact them again via their known number to verify their identity, especially with the spread of voice imitation technologies using artificial intelligence,” he said. He advised elderly people and their families to activate bank alerts and multi-factor authentication, regularly update phones and applications, set appropriate daily limits for financial transfers and seek assistance from a trusted family member when faced with an unusual request. If fraud is suspected, Al Zarouni said the bank should be contacted immediately to deactivate the card or secure the account where necessary. The relevant security authorities should also be notified. Digital shopping Technical expert Abdul Nour Sami Technical expert Abdul Nour Sami said elderly people may be particularly vulnerable to fraud for two reasons: their level of familia