Social engineering scams are deceptive techniques used by criminals to manipulate individuals into revealing sensitive information, transferring money, or granting access to secure systems. Unlike traditional cyberattacks that target software vulnerabilities, social engineering attacks exploit human psychology—trust, fear, urgency, greed, and emotional connection.

In these scams, the victim becomes the entry point—not the network or the code. It’s not about hacking computers; it’s about hacking people.

The Psychology Behind Social Engineering

Social engineering is effective because humans are naturally trusting, curious, and emotionally driven. Scammers deliberately trigger emotional responses that override rational thinking and caution. Common psychological tactics include:

• Authority: “I’m calling from your bank’s fraud department.”
• Urgency: “Your account is at risk—verify immediately.”
• Scarcity: “This investment opportunity expires in 10 minutes.”
• Fear: “Your account will be suspended unless you act now.”
• Empathy: “I’m stranded and need help accessing my funds.”

Emails posing as legitimate organisations trick users into clicking malicious links or entering login credentials.

2. Vishing (Voice Phishing)

Phone scams where fraudsters impersonate bank representatives, government officials, or customer support agents.

3. Smishing (SMS Phishing)

Fake text messages designed to lure recipients into clicking malicious links or sharing personal information.

4. Business Email Compromise (BEC)

Attackers impersonate senior executives or vendors to trick employees into transferring company funds.

5. Romance Scams

Scammers build emotional relationships online, gain trust, and later request money under false pretences.

6. Tech Support Scams

Victims receive fake alerts claiming their device is compromised, prompting them to call a number where scammers demand payment or install malware.

Real-World Example: Romance-Investment Scams

In 2024, Southeast Asia experienced a surge in romance-to-investment scams. Victims were emotionally groomed before being persuaded to invest in fraudulent cryptocurrency platforms.

These scams resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars in losses. Many victims delayed reporting, believing they were partially responsible—making recovery more difficult and enabling fraud networks to expand.

Red Flags: How to Spot Social Engineering Attacks

Be alert to the following warning signs:

• Unexpected or urgent requests for money or credentials
• Poor grammar, awkward phrasing, or suspicious URLs
• Caller IDs that look legitimate but feel “off”
• Requests for unusual payment methods (cryptocurrency, gift cards, third-party transfers)
• Messages that create panic or demand secrecy

Rule of thumb: If it feels rushed, emotional, or too good to be true—it probably is.

Protecting Yourself and Your Organisation

For Individuals:

• Unexpected or urgent requests for money or credentials
• Poor grammar, awkward phrasing, or suspicious URLs
• Caller IDs that look legitimate but feel “off”
• Requests for unusual payment methods (cryptocurrency, gift cards, third-party transfers)
• Messages that create panic or demand secrecy

For Financial Institutions:

• Deploy AI-driven behavioural monitoring to detect social engineering patterns
• Use real-time fraud detection to flag anomalous transactions
• Implement customer education programmes focused on scam awareness
• Establish clear response playbooks to support scam victims quickly