In this powerful episode of Scam Rangers, Ayelet Biger-Levin sits down with scam psychology expert Martina Dove to dive deep into the psychology of scams.  Martina shares her insights on the psychological tactics used by scammers and the most effective methods for prevention and intervention.

The conversation dives deep into the origins of Martina's research, which began with her interest in the Barnum effect , a phenomenon where people accept vague feedback as true when it applies to everyone.  Barnum, an 1800s magician, even wrote a book on scams that are still in operation today, like romance scams and lotteries.  Martina emphasizes that scams are now a "product that caters for everyone", as vulnerability depends on individual circumstances and personality, not IQ.

Key Takeaways: The Scam Lifecycle and Psychology

 * The Scammer's Hook: Scams, which now feature excellent grammar due to AI, prey on either opportunity (like job or romance scams) or fear (like sextortion). Once a victim responds to the initial communication, it's difficult to stop engaging.
 * Grooming: A "Wear-Down" Process: Scams that go on for a long time—like pig butchering—evoke multiple visceral influences, starting with excitement and then inducing anxiety and fear of loss. The scammer will subtly withdraw or use verbal abuse if the victim does not comply. This wear-down period, which can last months, can cause victims to lose executive functions, affecting their memory and decision-making.
 * Targeting Trust: Scammers groom victims to distrust their bank by teaching them that the bank will try to stop them, or by creating elaborate stories, such as a regulator investigating internal fraud. By the time the bank intervenes, the victim is a "worn out person" who truly believes the scammer's narrative.
 * Effective Intervention: Empathy is Key: Authoritarian warnings, like "Don't panic" or "Never click links," are proven not to work, as they trigger a physiological reaction and make people switch off.  Instead, interventions—especially from "Break the Spell" teams—need to be conversational and empathetic.  Martina suggests asking the victim to simply "stall" the transfer, which often causes the scammer to escalate pressure, providing a warning sign to the victim.

You can find more about Martina on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martina-dove/

A link to her book: https://www.routledge.com/The-Psychology-of-Fraud-Persuasion-and-Scam-Techniques-Understanding-What-Makes-Us-Vulnerable/Dove/p/book/9781032953908

This podcast is hosted by Ayelet Biger-Levin, who has spent the last 15 years building technology to help financial institutions authenticate their customers and identify fraud. She believes that when it comes to scams, the story starts well before the transaction. Ayelet created this podcast to talk about the human side of scams and to learn from those dedicated to advocating for scam victims and taking action against fraud.  

Be sure to follow Ayelet on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayelet-biger-levin/

Learn More: https://www.rangersai.com/

Breaking the Scam Spell: From Grooming to Intervention with Martina Dove, Scam psychology expert

In this powerful episode of Scam Rangers, host Ayelet Biger-Levin speaks with Sarah Ralston, online safety expert, fraud investigator, and mother of five, about the hidden dangers lurking in online ads.

We dive deep into how scam ads are hyper-targeted using the same ad tech that powers legitimate marketing, exploiting trust, grief, and even childhood curiosity. From cloaking techniques that evade detection to the heartbreaking targeting of seniors on obituary pages and kids in school, Sarah uncovers the shocking truths behind today’s online ecosystem.

We discuss:

 * The psychological manipulation baked into scam ads
 * Why 20% of programmatic ads may be scams
 * How bad actors use ad tech better than most marketers
 * Cloaking and how it defeats traditional ad review systems
 * Real-world stories of targeted exploitation—including children and grieving seniors
 * What businesses, schools, and governments can do now
 * Where hope lies: data sharing, regulation, and collaboration

 If you’ve ever wondered how safe your online experience really is—or how to protect others—this episode is a must-listen.

Sarah Ralston: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-ralston-businessops/

Additional Resources:

 * Google Ads Safety Report 2024 [https://services.google.com/fh/files/misc/ads_safety_report_2024.pdf]
 * Israeli Internet Association: Algorithmic Scams Report [https://en.isoc.org.il/policy-papers/algorithmic-scams]
 * Tech Support Scams GASA Webinar August 20, 2025 [https://www.gasa.org/event-details/anatomy-of-a-scam-gasa-north-america-monthly-meetup-series]

Subscribe to Scam Rangers for more behind-the-scenes looks at the human side of scams—and the people fighting back.

This podcast is hosted by Ayelet Biger-Levin, who has spent the last 15 years building technology to help financial institutions authenticate their customers and identify fraud. She believes that when it comes to scams, the story starts well before the transaction. Ayelet created this podcast to talk about the human side of scams and to learn from those dedicated to advocating for scam victims and taking action against fraud.  Be sure to follow Ayelet on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayelet-biger-levin/   

More from RangersAI: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rangersai/  Learn More: https://www.rangersai.com/

Targeted by Design: The Dark Side of Online Advertising, A Conversation With Sarah Ralston, The Media Trust and Proxyware

In this fascinating episode of Scam Rangers, host Ayelet Biger-Levin interviews renowned scam investigator Jim Browning, whose YouTube channel has over 4.4 million subscribers. Jim has made headlines for infiltrating scam call centers, exposing how large-scale fraud operations really work—from pig butchering scams to telco account hijacking.

We explore:

 * How Jim first gained access to scammer computers and what he discovered
 * The psychology and tactics behind fake tech support, telco discount, and payment alert scams
 * How a whistleblower inside a Dubai-based scam center helped bring down a network of 3,000 scammers
 * The critical role of one-time passcodes (OTPs) and why reading them out loud can compromise your identity
 * What banks, tech leaders, and consumers can do to fight back

This episode is essential listening for anyone working in fraud prevention, cybersecurity, or digital customer protection.

Videos Mentioned in the Episode:

 * Pig Butchering Scam and Dubai Call Center Investigation
   https://youtu.be/dV9U_aoHI_g?si=0d2gtrmdcVrjZSbu
 * Scammer Call Center with CCTV Footage (Firmart Travels)
   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=le71yVPh4uk
 * Arnold Schwarzenegger Soundboard Prank on Scammers
   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZF-NtGsZ6Zo

About the Guest:

Jim Browning is a software engineer turned scam exposer who has dedicated the past decade to disrupting scam operations around the world. His investigative videos have led to real-world law enforcement actions and helped educate millions on how scams really work.
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@JimBrowning

This podcast is hosted by Ayelet Biger-Levin, who has spent the last 15 years building technology to help financial institutions authenticate their customers and identify fraud. She believes that when it comes to scams, the story starts well before the transaction. Ayelet created this podcast to talk about the human side of scams and to learn from those dedicated to advocating for scam victims and taking action against fraud.  Be sure to follow Ayelet on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayelet-biger-levin/  

More from RangersAI: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rangersai/ 

Learn More: https://www.rangersai.com/ 

Turning the Tables: A Deep Dive into Scam Call Centers, a Conversation with Jim Browning, Scambaiter and YouTuber

🎙️ Episode Title: Demystifying Scam Fog: You Can’t Fix What You Don’t Measure
👤 Guest: Peter Tapling, Managing Director at PTap Advisory
🎧 Host: Ayelet Biger-Levin, ScamRangers

🔍 Episode Overview:
How can you solve a problem you’re not measuring?

In this episode, we tackle one of the biggest blind spots in scam prevention: data classification. Peter Tapling — identity and fraud prevention pioneer — joins Ayelet to unpack why “just calling it a loss” won’t cut it anymore. From romance scams to investment cons, if we’re not labeling the type of scam, we’re missing the patterns that could help us prevent them.

We also explore:

 * The difference between authorized and unauthorized fraud — and why it matters
 * Why financial institutions must own their phone numbers like intellectual property
 * How social engineering beats traditional education
 * The power of slowing down payments — and the psychology behind it
 * Detecting mule accounts, synthetic identities, and spotting patterns
 * The role of scam classifiers and information sharing models

📌 Resources Mentioned:

 * [Scam Classifier Model – Federal Reserve Bank of Boston] https://fedpaymentsimprovement.org/strategic-initiatives/payments-security/scams/scamclassifier-model/
 * [Scams Information Sharing Work Group – Fed Boston] https://fedpaymentsimprovement.org/news/blog/sharing-information-on-scams-to-improve-fraud-mitigation/
 * [Biocatch blog: 9 Types of Mule Accounts] https://www.biocatch.com/blog/the-mules-among-us
 * [Aspen Institute Financial Security Program] https://fraudtaskforce.aspeninstitute.org/

🔗 Connect with Peter Tapling: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ptap/


🎙️ More from RangersAI: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rangersai/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/scamrangers]
🌐 Learn More: https://www.rangersai.com/

This podcast is hosted by Ayelet Biger-Levin, who has spent the last 15 years building technology to help financial institutions authenticate their customers and identify fraud. She believes that when it comes to scams, the story starts well before the transaction. Ayelet created this podcast to talk about the human side of scams and to learn from those dedicated to advocating for scam victims and taking action against fraud. 

Be sure to follow Ayelet on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayelet-biger-levin/ 

Learn more about her work at RangersAI: https://www.rangersai.com/

Demystifying Scam Fog: You Can’t Fix What You Don’t Measure, A Conversation with Peter Tapling,  Managing Director PTap Advisory

In this episode of ScamRangers, host Ayelet Biger-Levin welcomes back fraud and financial crime expert Ken Palla to discuss the evolving global response to scams. They dive into Australia’s groundbreaking Scam Prevention Framework, lessons from the UK’s Contingent Reimbursement Model and Online Safety Act, and why the U.S. lags behind in fraud prevention. Ken shares insights on the need for ecosystem-wide collaboration, financial institutions' role in scam prevention, and the regulatory challenges hindering progress in the U.S.

Tune in to learn:

 * How Australia reduced scam losses by nearly 30% in one year
 * The UK’s mandatory scam reimbursement regulation and its implications
 * Why financial institutions must take a proactive role in scam prevention
 * The challenges and opportunities for data sharing and fraud controls in the U.S.
 * The rise of AI-driven scams and what banks can do to protect their customers

Links Mentioned in This Episode:

 * Ken Palla on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ken-palla-09b585/
 * Ken Palla’s Blog on the California Senate Hearing: https://www.biocatch.com/blog/california-senate-scam-prevention
 * Aspen Institute Financial Health Task Force : https://fraudtaskforce.aspeninstitute.org/
 * Latest FTC Scam Statistics Report?: https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2025/03/new-ftc-data-show-big-jump-reported-losses-fraud-125-billion-2024

This podcast is hosted by Ayelet Biger-Levin, who has spent the last 15 years building technology to help financial institutions authenticate their customers and identify fraud. She believes that when it comes to scams, the story starts well before the transaction. Ayelet created this podcast to talk about the human side of scams and to learn from those dedicated to advocating for scam victims and taking action against fraud.

Be sure to follow Ayelet on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayelet-biger-levin/
Learn more about her work at RangersAI: https://www.rangersai.com/

How Australia Slashed Scam Losses by 30% & What’s Missing in the U.S., A Conversation with Ken Palla, Former Director, MUFG Union Bank

In this episode, we explore the groundbreaking research of Prof. David Maimon, a leading expert in cybersecurity and online fraud. Prof. Maimon discusses his innovative methods for studying the cybercrime ecosystem, including embedding in fraudsters' digital environments, analyzing business email compromise scams, and uncovering the use of deepfake technology in modern fraud. Learn how his evidence-based approach bridges the gap between academic research and practical applications, providing actionable insights to combat online scams effectively.

You can find his research here: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/David-Maimon

Connect with Prof. David Maimon on LinkedIn: David Maimon LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-maimon-29343632/]

About the Host:
This podcast is hosted by Ayelet Biger-Levin, who has spent the last 15 years building technology to help financial institutions authenticate their customers and identify fraud. She believes that when it comes to scams, the story starts well before the transaction. Ayelet created this podcast to talk about the human side of scams and to learn from those dedicated to advocating for scam victims and taking action against fraud.

Be sure to follow Ayelet on LinkedIn: Ayelet Biger-Levin: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayelet-biger-levin/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayelet-biger-levin/
Learn more about her work at RangersAI: https://www.rangersai.com/

Deceptive Practices: A Deep Dive into Online Scammers’ Behavior, A conversation with David Maimon,  Professor at Georgia State University

In this episode, talk to Toby Evans, Head of Economic Crime, Australian Payments Network to explore the newly introduced Australian scams prevention framework and its implications for various industries. We discuss the importance of collaborative efforts across sectors, including banking, telecommunications, and digital platforms, in addressing the growing threat of scams.

Key Themes:

 * New Legislation Overview: Introduction of a draft scams prevention framework open for comments until October 4, 2024.
   Key principles include scam prevention, detection, and disruption.
   
 * Scope Beyond Banks: Emphasis on the involvement of multiple sectors, including telecommunications and digital platforms.
   Recognition of the shared responsibility to combat scams.
   
 * Significant Penalties: Overview of substantial penalties for non-compliance, with fines reaching over $50 million for severe breaches.
   Importance of companies taking proactive measures against scams.
   
 * Collaborative Approach: Insights from Toby Evans on the necessity for all industries to work together in the fight against scams.
   Discussion on how a unified front can enhance protection for consumers.
   
 * Proactive Measures and Strategies: Importance of businesses implementing robust anti-scam strategies.
   Encouragement for sharing intelligence and aligning efforts to create a safer environment.
   

Follow Toby On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toby-evans-635661231/



This podcast is hosted by Ayelet Biger-Levin  who spent the last 15 years building technology to help financial institutions authenticate their customers and identify fraud. She believes that when it comes to scams, the story starts well before the transaction. She has created this podcast to talk about the human side of scams, and to learn from people who have decided to dedicate their lives to speaking up on behalf of scam victims and who take action to solve this problem. Be sure to follow her on LinkedIn and reach out to learn about her additional activities in this space.     h

ttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ayelet-biger-levin/  

ScamRanger: https://scamranger.ai/

04 Sep 2024 · 46 minutes

The Australian Formula for Tackling Scams: A Shared Responsibility Approach, A conversation with Toby Evans, Head of Economic Crime, Australian Payments Network

In this episode of ScamRangers, we dive into the transformative power of storytelling with Niels Vink and Kathelijne Swaak from ABN AMRO's fraud prevention team. Discover how ABN AMRO is flipping social engineering on its head by using real customer stories to strengthen their fraud awareness strategies.

Learn how this innovative approach creates a deeper emotional connection with customers, making fraud prevention messages more memorable and impactful. We also explore insights from Nobel laureate Daniel Kahneman on decision-making and how ABN AMRO leverages these principles to better engage and empower their customers.

Key Takeaways:

 * How storytelling can effectively communicate scam risks and avoid fear.
 * The role of emotional connection in enhancing customer engagement.
 * The impact of internal collaboration on successful fraud prevention campaigns.
 * Addressing new fraud threats and reaching diverse audiences.

Tune in to see how ABN AMRO is leading the charge in protecting customers through the art of storytelling.



Here is more information about our speakers:

Niels Vink:https://www.linkedin.com/in/nielsvink1/

Kathelijne Swaak [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathelijneswaak/overlay/about-this-profile/]: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathelijneswaak/



This podcast is hosted by Ayelet Biger-Levin  who spent the last 15 years building technology to help financial institutions authenticate their customers and identify fraud. She believes that when it comes to scams, the story starts well before the transaction. She has created this podcast to talk about the human side of scams, and to learn from people who have decided to dedicate their lives to speaking up on behalf of scam victims and who take action to solve this problem. Be sure to follow her on LinkedIn and reach out to learn about her additional activities in this space.    

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayelet-biger-levin/ 

ScamRanger: https://scamranger.ai/

Empowering Customers Against Scams: The Power of Storytelling, A conversation with Kathelijne Swaak and Niels Vink, Fraud prevention leaders at ABN AMRO Bank

In this crucial episode of Scam Rangers, we explore the dark and disturbing world of Sextortion. This crime occurs when online predators trick individuals, often teens, into sharing nude images or videos and then use these compromising materials to extort money, more images, or other demands. These predators threaten to share the images with the victim's friends and family if they don't comply. Our guest, Paul Raffile, a Senior Intelligence Analyst with a career dedicated to investigating online crimes and financial scams, joins us to shed light on this pressing issue.

Key Discussion Points:

Paul explains how sextortion scams unfold, the social media platforms commonly used by predators, and the emotional impact on victims, particularly teens. He shares advice for social media companies on preventing these scams, drawing on strategies from financial institutions that detect account takeovers. We also explore how money is transferred to criminals and the risk signals financial institutions can monitor to spot suspicious activities.



Resources:

Follow Paul on LinkedIn: https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/internet/sextortion-yahoo-boys-snapchat-tiktok-teen-wizz-rcna134200

NCRI Report: https://networkcontagion.us/reports/yahoo-boys/

New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/15/nyregion/social-media-scam-sextortion.html

Article on WIRED: https://www.wired.com/story/yahoo-boys-scammers-facebook-telegram-tiktok-youtube/

Training materials on NBC News: https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/internet/sextortion-yahoo-boys-snapchat-tiktok-teen-wizz-rcna134200

This podcast is hosted by Ayelet Biger-Levin  who spent the last 15 years building technology to help financial institutions authenticate their customers and identify fraud. She believes that when it comes to scams, the story starts well before the transaction. She has created this podcast to talk about the human side of scams, and to learn from people who have decided to dedicate their lives to speaking up on behalf of scam victims and who take action to solve this problem.

Be sure to follow her on LinkedIn and reach out to learn about her additional activities in this space.   

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayelet-biger-levin/

ScamRanger: https://scamranger.ai/

Sextortion: The Evil Scam Targeting our Teens in Their Bedrooms, A Conversation with Paul Raffile, Senior Intelligence Analyst

In this episode, we are joined by Hailed Windham, a leading voice in the credit union community, who shares her expertise on the collaborative efforts to fight fraud. Hailed tells us about her involvement in multiple impactful initiatives, such as promoting awareness programs through the #cufightfraud campaign she initiated on social media and co-leading the bank and FI subgroup in Operation Shamrock. She also discusses her active role in Mission Omega, highlighting the importance of coordinated efforts in fraud prevention.

Hailed further explains how she is driving the fight against #pigbutechering scams with the Crypto Coalition in South Carolina, aiming to drive regulatory changes and improve enforcement against cryptocurrency investment scams. 

Tune in to learn about the innovative strategies credit unions are employing to safeguard their members and stay ahead of emerging threats in the financial sector.



Hailey Windham on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hailey-windham/

Banking on Fraudology Podcast: https://pod.link/1744207174



This podcast is hosted by Ayelet Biger-Levin  who spent the last 15 years building technology to help financial institutions authenticate their customers and identify fraud. She believes that when it comes to scams, the story starts well before the transaction. She has created this podcast to talk about the human side of scams, and to learn from people who have decided to dedicate their lives to speaking up on behalf of scam victims and who take action to solve this problem.



 Be sure to follow her on LinkedIn and reach out to learn about her additional activities in this space.   https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayelet-biger-levin/ 

ScamRanger: https://scamranger.ai/

Getting in Front of the Scam: How to Build Trust With Your Customers, A conversation with Hailey Windham, a Credit Union Fraud Fighter

Scam Rangers - A podcast about the human side of fraud and the people who are on a mission to protect us. We will hear from activists, researchers, prosecutors, human trafficking experts and other advocates, telling the story of scams and scam victims from their perspectives. Most importantly - we can learn what we can do about it. If you are enjoying this show, subscribe, and follow me on LinkedIn for more information and news about online scams: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayelet-biger-levin/

Ayelet Biger-Levin

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