The Pretext Scam: A Social Engineering Masterclass
Also known as the "Pre-Text Scam" or the "Pre-Text Phish," this technique is a classic.
How it works:
- Find a vulnerable target, preferably someone who just got out of a bad relationship
- Start a conversation, get them talking about their feelings and insecurities
- Slowly build trust, then introduce a "legitimate" business opportunity
- Get them to reveal sensitive information, like passwords or financials
- Sell them a bill of goods that sounds too good to be true, but isn't
Example:
Meet Jane, who recently got out of a toxic relationship. You start chatting with her online, asking about her feelings and what she's looking for in a new partner. You gain her trust, then offer her a "guaranteed" way to make money online by investing in a new cryptocurrency.
She's in, and soon she's handing over her hard-earned cash, only to find out it's just a bunch of empty promises.
But Wait, There's More!
- There's also the "Pre-Text Scam with a Twist," where you pretend to be a financial advisor, then offer to help them with their taxes.
- And for the real pros, there's the "Pre-Text Phish 2.0," where you use AI-generated chatbots to automate the process.
Stay vigilant, folks!