In the grand dystopian circus we call the internet, algorithms are like uninvited party guests, constantly eavesdropping, making awkward assumptions, and occasionally spilling your deepest, darkest secrets to the highest bidder. While most of us assume these AI-driven digital butlers are just here to recommend cat videos and suspiciously relevant ads, scammers have figured out how to exploit them in ways that would make even the most seasoned double agent feel threatened.
Let’s be honest: you’ve probably had moments when your phone seemed to read your mind. You mention taking up kayaking, and suddenly, ads for waterproof phone cases haunt your feed. You joke about moving to Alaska, and Zillow starts pushing listings for ice boots. It’s creepy, right? But here’s the kicker; scammers are using that same tech to profile you, target you, and con you with unnerving precision.
How Scammers Exploit Algorithms
Scammers don’t need to hack your account or lurk in the shadows like some old-school cybercriminal. No, they just sit back and let the almighty algorithm do the dirty work. Here’s how:
- Hyper-Personalized Phishing Attacks
Thanks to all that data we have innocently provded via likes, sharing photos and connecting with people, scammers know your hobbies, your habits, and even your shopping history. Instead of a generic “Your bank account has been compromised” email, you might get a message about that exact item you were eyeing online, except the link takes you to a fraudulent payment page. - Social Engineering on Steroids
Ever posted about your love for your grandma’s secret lasagna recipe? Congratulations! A scammer now knows how to strike up a convincing conversation with you. They’ll slide into your DMs pretending to be a long-lost cousin or a friendly foodie, gaining your trust and potentially more personal info before sending you a link to the perfect Lasagna weekend near lake Como bookable via an exclusive travel site (oh and here’s a discount code which gives you 20% off – who can resist a bargain?!). - Deepfake and AI-Powered Scams
Algorithms don’t just analyze data, they generate eerily realistic content. Scammers can now use AI-generated voices and videos to impersonate loved ones, tricking people into thinking bestie, child, or boss needs urgent financial help. One minute, you’re watching a cat meme; the next, you’re wiring money to someone who sounds exactly like your daughter who has missed the last train home to pay for an Uber. - Targeted Romance and Investment Scams
Love and money are two things algorithms know you crave. Whether you’re single and swiping or curious about crypto, scammers can use AI-driven insights to craft the perfect approach. The result? You end up falling for a ‘soulmate’ who mysteriously vanishes after you send them a ‘loan’ or investing in a ‘sure thing’ that disappears overnight.
What Can We Do?
Here are some ways to potentially fight back against algorithmically enhanced scammers:
✅ Question the uncanny accuracy – If an ad or message feels suspiciously on-point, pause before clicking. Algorithms are powerful, but so are scams.
✅ Limit oversharing – The less you reveal online, the less data scammers have to weaponize against you and that includes where you will be going for a weekend break as well as photos of you trying on that Vera Wang wedding dress…
✅ Verify before you trust – If someone asks for money or personal info, confirm their identity through a different channel or ask your daughter whether she fed the cat before leaving (clue: you don’t have a cat).
✅ Enable strong security measures – Use multi-factor authentication, update your passwords, and be skeptical of unsolicited messages.
Final Thoughts: The Algorithm Giveth, and the Algorithm Taketh Away
Algorithms are a double-edged sword. They bring us convenience, entertainment, and sometimes an unhealthy obsession with watching people clean burnt saucepans. But in the wrong hands, they become tools of manipulation, deception, and straight-up cyber sorcery.
So the next time you get a suspiciously perfect offer, a hot stranger DMing you out of the blue, or a video of your boss demanding you transfer £1,000 to X company, please pause to think.
“If it looks like a unicorn and promises you a lifetime supply of free lasagna, it’s probably a scam.”
Photo by Markus Spiske
