Profiling cyber scam victims: why it is important and what we know so far

Monica Whitty

Chapter 15 in Research Handbook on Fraud and Society, 2026, pp 283-298 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: Cyber scams, a type of online fraud, continue to increase and cause serious harms (financial and psychological) to citizens across the world. Solutions to prevent, disrupt, and detect these scams are not sufficiently effective in reducing the number of people tricked by them. This chapter puts forward the case for the novel case ‘precision security’, arguing for the necessity to move from a one-size-fits-all solution to a more tailored approach. It is suggested here that improving upon the science of profiling victims of cyber scams and comprehensively understanding individual differences in susceptibility may help to develop more effective tailored solutions to better protect citizens. Drawing from the few empirical studies carried out in the area, this chapter sets out the theories that have informed this work and the statistically significant predictors of cyber scam victimisation. The chapter also creates a model as a guide for researchers for profiling victims.

Keywords: Cyber scams; Precision security; Cyber scam victims; Profiling cyber scam victims; Theories that predict cyber scam victimisation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
ISBN: 9781035348800
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