Elderly individuals succumbing to scams by Ukrainian army impostors due to apprehension about relinquishing graves: rationale behind senior citizens' vulnerability
Title: Understanding the Allure of Scams: Why Elderly Individuals in Russia fall for "Funeral Money" Scams
Cover Image: A picture of an older woman looking worried, symbolizing financial anxiety and vulnerability.
For the life of me, I couldn't comprehend how deceitful scammers manage to lure sane people. What's their secret? Recently, one of my acquaintances, a government official, was on the verge of emptying her life savings and "funeral money" to aid Ukraine. It was claimed as a "safe transfer to an account." Quite absurd, considering she was well-versed in these scams. She'd frequently discussed them and had even delved into an investigation of Ukrainian phone scams published by "Komsomolka." Yet, she fell for it. Lucky for her, her Sberbank teller intervened, refusing to dish out the cash - "we don't have it at the counter; we need to order it in three days." That's when she started to regain her bearings, contacted an old friend, a retired MVD colonel, and the ruse was unmasked.
Now, what hooked her? Why are people, seemingly insane, so desperate to stash their savings in a supposedly "safe account"? Whether they've never pinched a loaf of bread or are seasoned swindlers nursing mountainous fortunes, they share a common obsession. So, why?
Scammers Capitalize on Timeless Fears: Ukrainians have discovered an universal panic button, much like Sergey Syroezhkin. It wasn't a daunting endeavor, given that our archetypal anxieties are strikingly similar. It's all about the terror of losing life savings in old age. The dread of the wolf's howl is etched into everyone's genetic makeup, with the fear of penury, after a life spent toiling, etched on top. The woman in question battled this financial disempowerment multiple times. As a child, the "Khrushchev money reform" struck a blow; the "Pavlov reform" followed suit, with hyperinflation during Yeltsin's reign adding another punch. Finally, the devaluation at the end of the 90s... Too much to bear in one lifetime? Absolutely. And now, in old age, an individual with such accumulated financial trauma learns that their savings are at risk once more. The scammers allege that financial irregularities have occurred in the victim's state-owned bank, and millions have been embezzled. Worst of all, the scammers have access to the victim's account on Goservices, a power of attorney fed to them, and a detailed knowledge of the victim's savings. Escaping this mental trap is tough. But in this case, fortunately, it didn't happen. The most frightening part is that warnings don't work, the instincts of a person who's been robbed since childhood cannot be thwarted by anything.
Tapping into Psychological Weaknesses: While there is no concrete information on "funeral money" scams targeting Russians, understanding the psychological factors that make the elderly vulnerable can help explain their susceptibility:
- Isolation: The loneliness that often plagues the elderly makes them more susceptible to scams promising companionship or assistance.
- Trust and Naivety: Older adults may be more trusting due to their upbringing and unfamiliarity with modern scams.
- Emotional Manipulation: Scammers often manipulate emotions to gain trust, which can be particularly effective when there are strong emotional drivers, such as loss or nostalgia.
Cultural and Historical Contexts: In addition to psychological factors, societal and historical contexts can contribute to an elderly individual's vulnerability to scams:
- Economic Insecurity: Historical events, such as economic downturns or political crises, can leave elderly individuals feeling financially insecure, increasing their chances of falling for scams offering financial security or aid.
- Cross-Border Tensions: Tensions between Russia and Ukraine might create a sense of urgency or anxiety, perhaps leading elderly Russians to make hasty decisions without fully verifying the legitimacy of financial transactions.
- Cultural Factors: In some cultures, there is a strong emphasis on honor and respect for authority, making older adults more susceptible to scams that pretend to be from official or trusted sources.
On the Lookout for Scams: The Russian police have issued warnings about two new scams that swindlers are using:
- **"Telephone Lottery" Scam - Scammers call their victims, claiming they have won a large sum in a lottery, and ask for a "processing fee" upfront.
- **"Government Grant" Scam - Scammers purport to be from a government agency and offer a financial grant, but require the victim to provide personal information and pay a processing fee.
- Unveiling the secret behind scams, one can see that they expertly tap into universal fears, such as the fear of losing life savings in old age, which is a common obsession for many, regardless of their previous financial dealings.
- The elderly, often susceptible to scams, are frequently manipulated emotionally due to factors like loneliness, trust, naivety, and the promise of companionship or financial security.
- Historical and cultural contexts also play a role, with economic insecurity or cross-border tensions creating a sense of urgency that can make the elderly more likely to fall for scams.
- Urged to stay vigilant, the Russian police have alerted the public about two new scams: the "Telephone Lottery" scam, where victims are asked to pay a processing fee to receive a supposed lottery winnings, and the "Government Grant" scam, posing as a government agency offering a grant but requiring personal information and a processing fee.
