Friendship Fraud: How Scammers Target Trust Online

Scammers aren’t just after your money — they’re after your trust. A growing form of online trickery, called friendship fraud, is targeting older Australians on social media, exploiting loneliness to form fake friendships before asking for money. We sit down with Australian cybercrime expert Simon Smith to explain how these scams work, how to spot the warning signs, and what you can do to protect yourself or loved ones. Key Points: Fraudsters befriend older adults online, building trust over weeks or months. Requests for money start small but can escalate to thousands of dollars. Targets are often isolated, older, or recently bereaved Australians. Early reporting, privacy settings, and family involvement can prevent losses. Listen and Learn: How do scammers gain trust? What red flags should you watch for? Who can help if money has been sent? Don’t let loneliness become a target — understanding friendship fraud could save you or someone you love thousands.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.