Podcast Summary: "Hacking Humans" - Episode: "This scam is now in session"

Release Date: August 14, 2025

Hosts:

• Dave Buettner
• Joe Kerrigan
• Maria Varmazes

1. Introduction

In the latest episode of "Hacking Humans," hosted by N2K Networks, Dave Buettner, Joe Kerrigan, and Maria Varmazes delve into the intricate world of cyber scams, focusing primarily on messaging scams, online pharmacy fraud, and persistent jury duty scams. The hosts provide insightful discussions on how these scams operate, the measures being taken to combat them, and practical advice for listeners to protect themselves.

2. Meta's Battle Against Messaging Scams

Maria Varmazes kicks off the episode by discussing Meta's recent efforts to curb messaging scams on platforms like WhatsApp. Meta announced a news release titled "WhatsApp New WhatsApp tools and tips to Beat Messaging Scams," indicating a proactive stance against cybercriminals exploiting their messaging services.

Maria Varmazes [01:18]: "Globally, they're taking some heat against scammers. And they are claiming that since January of this year, in the first half of this year, they have banned over 6.8 million accounts that are linked to scam centers, some of them operating out of Cambodia."

Meta's collaboration with OpenAI is a pivotal point in their strategy. By leveraging OpenAI's capabilities to identify accounts disseminating AI-generated scam content, Meta aims to shut down these malicious operations swiftly.

Maria Varmazes [02:59]: "Meta has been collaborating with OpenAI to identify accounts that are pushing the output from known OpenAI scams."

Maria also highlights the role of Rachel Tobak, a renowned expert in social engineering and defense, emphasizing the importance of understanding scammers' tactics to effectively counteract them.

3. Evaluating Meta's Anti-Scam Measures

Despite Meta's substantial efforts, the hosts express skepticism about the effectiveness of banning 6.8 million accounts. They question whether this automated approach significantly reduces scam prevalence or merely scratches the surface.

Maria Varmazes [05:03]: "I don't know how big of a solution that is. I imagine that's a sizable chunk of the accounts, but it sounds to me like that's just the result of an automated process."

Joe Kerrigan points out that, despite these bans, the presence of scams on platforms like Facebook Marketplace remains largely unchanged, suggesting that more robust measures might be necessary.

Joe Kerrigan [10:20]: "I just feel like Meta has no moral high ground with anything."

The discussion shifts to comparing Meta's actions with those of platforms like ChatGPT, where OpenAI actively monitors and bans users exploiting their models for scams. The hosts advocate for Meta to adopt similar proactive strategies to effectively mitigate scam activities.

4. The Surge of Online Pharmacy Fraud

Transitioning from messaging scams, the hosts delve into the rampant issue of pharma fraud, particularly online pharmacies operating illegally. Drawing from an article by Avast, they highlight that over 95% of online pharmacies are illegitimate, posing significant risks to consumers.

Joe Kerrigan [17:42]: "This article points out that pharma fraud is rampant. In fact, they say that over 95% of online pharmacies are operating illegally."

Categories of Pharma Fraud:

• Sexual Health Products: Viagra and Cialis remain perennial targets for scammers.
• Weight Loss Drugs: The popularity of drugs like Ozempic has led to a rise in counterfeit versions being sold online.
• Hormones and Fertility Drugs: Scammers exploit individuals seeking discreet access to these medications.
• Antibiotics and General Medications: Offering cheaper alternatives, these scams often lack genuine pharmaceutical standards.

Red Flags to Identify Fake Pharmacies:

• No Prescription Required: Legitimate pharmacies always require a valid prescription.
• Prices That Are Too Good to Be True: Unrealistically low prices are a common indicator of fraud.
• Suspicious Payment Methods: Acceptance of cryptocurrencies or gift cards signals potential scams.
• Poor Website Design: Grammar errors and unprofessional logos undermine credibility.

Joe Kerrigan [19:47]: "They say to stay safe, stick to verified pharmacies, require a valid prescription, ask to speak with a licensed pharmacist, and of course, avoid crypto or sketchy payment methods."

The hosts recommend utilizing resources like the FDA's "Be Safe Rx" tool to verify the legitimacy of online pharmacies.

5. Persistent Jury Duty Scams

Dave Buettner brings attention to the resurgence of jury duty scams, a deceptive tactic that resurfaces periodically. He recounts the story of Kirkland Collier from Baton Rouge, who narrowly avoided falling victim to such a scam.

Dave Buettner [29:51]: "He got a voicemail claiming to be from a sheriff's deputy... he was going to face criminal charges if he didn't pay a fee for missing jury duty."

Collier received a fraudulent call instructing him to pay $3,500 in cash at a gas station to avoid legal consequences. Suspicious of the setup, he astutely recognized the scam and reported it, preventing financial loss.

Dave Buettner [30:51]: "When he showed up to that location, he said, wait a second, this is a gas station. What would a police officer be doing telling me to hand them cash at a gas station?"

The hosts emphasize that legitimate jury duty fines in the U.S. are minimal (typically around $100) and communicated through official postal channels, not phone calls or websites. They urge listeners to report any suspicious communications to the FTC via reportfraud.ftc.gov.

Dave Buettner [34:02]: "It's funny because Mr. Collier... he called the guy back, which is like an interesting thing... thankfully all is well in his case."

6. Conclusion and Takeaways

The episode underscores the ever-evolving landscape of cyber scams, highlighting the necessity for continuous vigilance and education. The hosts advocate for:

• Awareness: Understanding the common tactics used by scammers.
• Verification: Always verifying the legitimacy of unsolicited communications or offers.
• Reporting: Promptly reporting suspected scams to relevant authorities to aid in their mitigation.

By staying informed and cautious, individuals can better protect themselves from falling prey to these sophisticated cyber threats.

Notable Quotes:

• Maria Varmazes [02:59]: "Meta has been collaborating with OpenAI to identify accounts that are pushing the output from known OpenAI scams."
• Joe Kerrigan [05:03]: "I don't know how big of a solution that is. I imagine that's a sizable chunk of the accounts, but it sounds to me like that's just the result of an automated process."
• Joe Kerrigan [19:47]: "They say to stay safe, stick to verified pharmacies, require a valid prescription, ask to speak with a licensed pharmacist..."
• Dave Buettner [29:51]: "He got a voicemail claiming to be from a sheriff's deputy... he was going to face criminal charges if he didn't pay a fee for missing jury duty."
• Dave Buettner [30:51]: "What would a police officer be doing telling me to hand them cash at a gas station?"

Additional Resources:

• FTC Report Fraud: reportfraud.ftc.gov
• FDA's Be Safe Rx Tool: fda.gov/pharmacy

Stay tuned to "Hacking Humans" for more insights into the deceptive tactics used in cybercrime and strategies to safeguard against them.