Social networks are no longer reserved for the young generation. In France, Facebook now appeals to almost one in two senior, about it 2.4 million users over 60 years of age. Family photos, news of friends, interest groups … There are many reasons for connecting. But this increased presence on the canvas also attracts crooks, who redoubled inventiveness to trap the least suspicious Internet users.
This scam that rages throughout France and which is targeting retirees
In recent months, a disturbing phenomenon has propagated: that of “boomer traps”, literally, “Boomer traps”. Behind this term hides a well -oiled method, exploiting both naivety and emotion to manipulate elderly internet users. Images that play on emotion the process is simple: using artificial intelligence tools, ultra-realistic images are created in seconds.
They represent strong, often overwhelming scenes: an abandoned child in the rain, a lonely elderly person, a veteran decorated in misery … These shots are accompanied by short texts, playing on compassion, indignation or admiration. The objective? Push the Internet user to react spontaneously: click, comment or share. The creator of the publication is not only trying to make the buzz.
How do thugs manage to extract money from seniors?
Each public interaction makes it possible to identify the most sensitive profiles and to prepare the suite of the scam. Once a person has reacted to this type of content, he becomes a privileged target. The crooks can then contact her directly via private messages. Pretexts vary: a request for urgent help, a heartbreaking personal story, the announcement of a gain to claim or the promotion of a supposedly charity cause.
Behind these approaches, we thus find organized networks, sometimes established abroad, which exploit the kindness or loneliness of their victims. Over the course of exchanges, sometimes even by SMS, confidence is installed. The trapped person ends up delivering personal information or even making money. The methods can be rudimentary, simple friendly solicitation, or particularly sophisticated, as sentimental frauds Where a false profile maintains a virtual relationship over several weeks before requesting financial support.
How to protect yourself from this scam?
For seniors, the consequences go far beyond the loss of money. Besides the sums off, there is humiliation, the shame of having been deceived, and the feeling of no longer being able to trust. The figures are disturbing: each year, about
800,000 people over 75 In France would thus be victims of abuse of online weakness, and a majority of cases are not even reported. How to spot a “boomer trap”? Some clues must then alert you: messages that strongly encourage sharing or reaction (“Share if you agree”, “show your support”).
Images with a strong emotional impact, without clear source. Recent or little supplied accounts, often with Generic names. Calls for guilt (“if you don’t share is that you don’t care”). To protect themselves from this scam, a few simple rules are enough to considerably reduce the risk. Check the origin of the publication and the account which distributes it.
