Hacking Humans Podcast: "The Text Trap Tightens"

Host: Dave Bittner, Joe Kerrigan, Maria Varmazes (N2K Networks)
Date: October 9, 2025
Theme: Deception, Influence, and Social Engineering in the World of Cyber Crime

Overview

In this episode, the Hacking Humans team delves into the rise of text-based and social media scams, an SEC case against a notorious social influencer, and the emergence of a sophisticated Android banking trojan targeting seniors. As always, the team shares listener feedback, personal anecdotes, and a memorable “catch of the day.”

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Listener Follow-Up: Prison Phone Scam or Not?

[00:46-03:35]

• Scenario: A listener named Chad reports receiving a call from a supposed inmate (Dirk Smith) at an Ohio prison requesting phone approval.
• Discussion:
  • Chad doesn't know anyone in prison, raising skepticism.
  • Hosts debate: Is it a scam, a misdial, or a real prison call?
  • Caller ID spoofing possibility discussed.
  • "Derek Smith does sound like fake McNamerson a little bit to me." (Maria, [03:19])
• Advice:
  • If you don't know inmates, best to say no.
  • Social engineering can prey on curiosity ("Are they burning their one phone call on me?").

Notable Quote:

"If you don't know anybody in prison, probably best to just say no to this, right?" – Dave Bittner [03:35]

2. Personal Anecdotes: Drunk Tank & Pizza Stories

[03:54-08:02]

• Group shares lighthearted stories about drunk tank antics and ordering pizza during strip poker at college.
• Highlights the human side of unexpected communication and trust.

3. Current Survey: Consumer Cyber Readiness & Scams

Maria’s Story from Consumer Reports – [08:52-18:23]

• Source: Consumer Reports, Aspen Digital, and Global Cyber Alliance survey thousands of Americans for Cybersecurity Awareness Month.
• Findings:
  • Almost half of Americans report encountering scams or cyberattacks.
  • 1 in 10 reported losing money (Maria feels this is underreported).
  • Text scams are rising, especially among 18-29-year-olds.
  • Lower-income households are three times more likely to lose money to scams compared to higher-income ones.
  • Race disparity: 37% of Black Americans encountering scams lost money vs. 15% of White Americans.
  • Social media is a major scam vector: 84% of users experienced scammy behaviors.
  • Most scam attempts began over email, social media, or messaging apps, with a growing number via text.
  • Few use password managers or security tools; password reuse remains common.
• Systemic Issues:
  • Governmental stalemates and expired cybersecurity legislation (like CISA 2015) mean "we’re less safe."
  • Industry’s efforts deemed insufficient; individual vigilance is critical.

Notable Quotes:

"Text message scams specifically are surging, especially for adults ages 18 to 29." – Maria [09:54]
"People in the lowest income households were three times more likely to lose money than those in the highest." – Maria [11:01]

4. Socioeconomic and Racial Disparities in Scam Victimization

[16:06-17:55]

• Further discussion about why lower-income and Black Americans are more frequently victimized.
• Contributors: availability of security tools (which may require disposable income), educational gaps, and systemic racism affecting dissemination of cybersecurity awareness.

Notable Quote:

"If you have the income to [use anti-spam tools], but if I didn’t, I would just be getting a barrage of this stuff all the time." – Maria [17:23]

5. The Rise and Fall of Influencer-Led Schemes: Tai Lopez & REV

Joe’s Story – [18:34-34:10]

• The Scheme: Tai Lopez, a well-known influencer, raised $112 million via his company "Retail Economic Ventures" (REV), promising high annualized returns with unsecured notes and equity units.
• Red Flags:
  • Extremely high, unsustainable promised returns (25-28%).
  • SEC alleges "Ponzi-like" activities:
    • Inter-company transfers of investor money contrary to promises.
    • Investor returns paid from new investors’ funds.
    • $16.1M misappropriated for personal use.
• Influencer Culture:
  • Describes how influencers use perceived wealth (e.g., rented Lamborghinis) to lure followers and investors.
  • "These influencers have way too much influence, and they do nothing." (Joe, [30:27])

Notable Quotes:

"These are Ponzi-like activities... They were taking money from some investors and paying out other investors... but it wasn't the entire business model." – Joe [25:20]
"Everything is fake. The fake private jets, the fake weights, the rental Lamborghinis... All of this stuff is fake." – Joe [30:06]

6. Android Trojan 'Datzbro' Targets Seniors via Social Media

Dave’s Story – [36:04-41:39]

• Threat: 'Datzbro' is a new Android banking trojan, first detected in Australia, now appearing in the UK and other regions.
• Tactics:
  • Fraudulent Facebook groups promise seniors in-person events.
  • Participants contacted on Messenger/WhatsApp, sent an APK file to install ("download.seniorgroupapps.com").
  • Once installed, app provides full remote access: recording, screenshots, overlays, financial fraud.
• Attribution:
  • Code strings in Chinese; possible involvement of Chinese actors, perhaps even North Korean proxies.
• Visual Social Engineering:
  • AI-generated group photos (fake but look authentic).

Notable Quotes:

"They’re focusing on elderly people looking for social activities, trips, or in-person meetings... and share AI-generated content which claim to organize activities for seniors." – Dave [36:21]
"Be careful of anything on Facebook, period." – Dave [39:35]

7. Catch of the Day

[41:39-44:25]

(Submitted by listener Cameron)

• Phishing email spoofing "Union Starbank" claims someone is attempting to claim the listener's $5.5 million inheritance.
• Red flags:
  • Run-on sentences, poorly translated text ("what is hunting you"), sudden switches from "inheritance" to "injury fund," and improperly reused names ("Mrs. Mary Johnson").
• The hosts highlight:
  • Scams like this deliberately leave obvious errors to filter for highly gullible targets.

Memorable Moment:

"What is hunting you? That’s what it is." – Joe [43:34]

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On the exactness of phishing personalization:
  "Derek Smith does sound like fake McNamerson a little bit to me." (Maria, [03:19])
• On youthful scam targeting:
  "Text message scams specifically are surging, especially for adults ages 18 to 29... I think that number is a little too low. I think it's a lot higher than half." (Maria, [09:54])
• On influencer deception:
  "Everything is fake. The fake private jets, the fake weights, the rental Lamborghinis... All of this stuff is fake." (Joe, [30:06])
• On phishing email absurdity:
  "What is hunting you?" (Joe, [43:34])
• On scam likelihood among lower-income groups:
  "People in the lowest income households were three times more likely to lose money than those in the highest." (Maria, [11:01])
• On digital safety and government inaction:
  "With that legislation sunsetting before having the opportunity to renew, I don't think it's an exaggeration to say we're less safe." (Dave, [15:19])

Notable Segment Timestamps

• Prison phone scam follow-up: [00:46–03:35]
• Consumer Readiness & Scam Statistics: [08:52–18:23]
• Socioeconomic & Racial Disparities: [16:06–17:55]
• Tai Lopez & Influencer Scams: [18:34–34:10]
• Android Banking Trojan for Seniors: [36:04–41:39]
• Catch of the Day (Phishing Email): [41:39–44:25]

Takeaways & Recommendations

• Be skeptical of unsolicited requests, especially those involving prison calls or inheritance offers.
• Text, social, and instant message scams are surging, particularly among younger adults and vulnerable populations.
• Don’t trust influencer “wealth” displays—many are fabricated for credibility and lure.
• Seniors beware: Scammers leverage community and loneliness, using increasingly sophisticated digital traps.
• Password hygiene matters: Use managers, avoid reuse, and enable two-factor authentication.
• Be vigilant: If something sounds too good to be true (high returns, urgent offers), it likely is.
• Spread awareness—share new scam tactics, especially with older relatives and less tech-savvy friends.

For further reading:

• Consumer Reports Cyber Readiness Report
• SEC Complaint against Tai Lopez/REV
• ThreatFabric report on 'Datzbro' trojan (links in episode show notes)

Hacking Humans continues to expose the latest in social engineering and scams, reminding listeners to “think before you click”—and that sometimes, it pays to be just a little bit cynical.