Episodes

  • Beware the Latest Cyber Scams: Phishing, Smishing, and More

    Beware the Latest Cyber Scams: Phishing, Smishing, and More
    Jul 8 2025
    Listeners, Scotty here—your cyber scam sleuth, always ready to dive into the latest digital deceptions. If you’ve been anywhere near an inbox, text message, or search engine this week, you’ve been in the danger zone. Let’s go straight to the hot scams making waves around the globe right now.

    First up, the “Mail Service 2025” email scam is the phishing flavor of the week. According to PCRisk security researchers, these emails look like official notices telling you there are undelivered messages awaiting you. The bait? Click an “Accept Delivery Now” button, and you’re launched straight to a convincing Gmail clone where scammers scoop up your login details. Give them an inch and they end up with your email, bank, and social media accounts—sometimes even selling your data to other criminals. It all starts with a click, so always pause before following mysterious links in your inbox.

    Now, if you thought phony emails were bad, let’s talk about “smishing.” The Canadian Competition Bureau is raising alarms about scam texts popping up everywhere. These aren’t your average “Congrats, you won!” messages. Now it’s “There’s an unpaid highway toll,” or “Your account’s been compromised—verify now.” The goal is always to rush you into panic mode so you click a bad link. Remember: never trust texts from unknown numbers, and never, ever tap their links. If you’re worried, contact the actual company using a legit website or official phone number.

    Rental scams are back at it too, folks. In Miami, Joshua Jeshurun Harrison, alias “Josh Herrera,” was just arrested after scamming dozens out of deposits on apartments he never had. Victims organized in a WhatsApp group called “We Found Josh” to collect clues, eventually helping police track him down. Never, ever send rental deposits before seeing both the property and proper documentation in person—no matter how charming the would-be landlord seems.

    On a global note, Gareth West, an alleged kingpin of “grandparent scams,” was nabbed in Quebec. Authorities say his crew targeted elderly Americans to the tune of $30 million, pretending to be distressed grandchildren in trouble, then swooping in for cash. The lesson? Set up family “safe words” for emergencies and always verify if a loved one is truly in distress.

    Fake news sites are also in the mix. CTM360 reports over 17,000 “Baiting News Sites” imitating CNN or BBC are promoting bogus investment platforms. They look real, quote public figures, but every path leads to a financial trap. Search for investment advice? Odds are, you’ll land on one of these honey pots.

    Finally, credit card fraud is getting slicker. Bangkok police just arrested Mr. Ma, a suspect running a syndicate that harvested credit card data through fake SMS links and used it for Google Pay purchases in shopping centers. His digital toolkit—EDC machines, card readers, and a Telegram network—shows just how sophisticated these operations get.

    So what’s the expert advice? Slow down, verify everything through independent channels, talk to your relatives about “safe words,” and keep personal info off social media. If you’re hit, change your passwords pronto and contact your bank. Quick action is your best defense.

    Thanks for tuning in—Scotty’s always got your back when it comes to scams. Don’t forget to subscribe for more digital detective work. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.

    For more http://www.quietplease.ai

    Get the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOta
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    4 mins
  • Beware the Digital Dumpster Fire: Scams, Phishing, and AI Voice Cons Plague the Internet

    Beware the Digital Dumpster Fire: Scams, Phishing, and AI Voice Cons Plague the Internet
    Jul 8 2025
    Hey there, it’s Scotty, your friendly neighborhood cyber sleuth—part digital detective, part sarcastic oracle warning you about the dark alleys of the internet. So buckle up folks, because the scam-scape this past week has been a digital dumpster fire and I’m here to help you not get burned.

    First up, fresh from Switzerland: Europol just announced the arrest of seven individuals tied to the LabHost phishing-as-a-service platform. These guys weren’t just amateurs fiddling with stolen login pages. No, LabHost offered full phishing suites for sale—login pages for PayPal, Microsoft, even banks like Barclays—served to aspiring scammers on a silver platter. Over 40,000 people reportedly used the service, netting tens of millions in stolen credentials. Think of it as Shopify for cybercriminals… but with more jail time.

    On the other side of the Atlantic, in sunny Florida of course, law enforcement finally nailed down a major influencer scam ring. You might’ve seen some of these “entrepreneurs” on TikTok selling courses promising to make you rich by flipping Amazon pallets or "dropshipping secrets they won’t tell you." Well, turns out the only secret was that they were charging thousands for nothing more than vague PDFs and AI-generated advice. The leader, Marcus Vell, has been charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud after raking in over four million bucks. Reminder: if someone’s wealth comes from selling you a course on how to get rich, that’s not a business model—it’s pyramid-shaped nonsense.

    But let’s talk about you. Right now, today. There’s a wave of AI voice scams causing real chaos. Criminals are using voice cloning tech—available for dirt cheap—to impersonate family members. You’ll get a call, it’ll sound like your daughter sobbing, saying she’s in jail and needs bail money. You panic, you send. Only it wasn’t her. It was an AI-generated voice, probably trained on social media audio. Quick fix? Always verify. Call the person directly, ask them a question only they could answer. Think "What did Grandma cook at last year’s Thanksgiving?" not "Are you okay?"

    And don’t even get me started on QR codes right now. Police in Austin and Phoenix just flagged new scams where criminals slap fake codes on parking meters. You think you're paying to park, but really, you're handing over your card details to a site that looks legit but reeks of scammer sweat. Always check for tampering, and if something smells phishy, skip it.

    So here’s the takeaway: if it sounds too good to be true, it’s probably hosted on a sketchy website out of Moldova, built by a guy named Sergei in his pajamas. Stay alert, verify everything, and for the love of cybersecurity—never trust a QR code unless it’s from a source you know.

    That’s all for now. Keep your passwords strong, your social profiles locked down, and your wallet far, far away from TikTok gurus. Stay sharp out there. This has been Scotty—logging off, but always watching.
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    3 mins
  • Headline: "Cybersleuth Scotty Exposes Surging Online Scams: Phishing, Zelle Fraud, and AI-Powered Influencer Traps"

    Headline: "Cybersleuth Scotty Exposes Surging Online Scams: Phishing, Zelle Fraud, and AI-Powered Influencer Traps"
    Jul 5 2025
    Hi, I’m Scotty—cyber sleuth by trade and your digital defense system by night. Let’s skip the pleasantries and jump right into the mess that’s made headlines this past week in the wild world of scams and internet trickery. Buckle up. There's digital drama ahead.

    First up, let’s talk about the big one—just this Tuesday, July 2nd, the FBI and Europol announced the takedown of one of the most slippery groups out there: the operators behind LabHost. This phishing-as-a-service platform had been running in the shadows for years, offering plug-and-play scam kits for wannabe fraudsters. These kits mimicked everything from Netflix logins to major bank portals. You’d think after they arrested over 30 people in April, that'd be game over. But nope. A Canadian teen, 17 years old, was just nabbed for running a separate spin-off of LabHost from his basement. That’s right—teenagers are launching phishing empires now. And they’re disturbingly good at it.

    Now, if you're saying, “Eh, that’s phishing, I’d never fall for that,” let’s talk about something that just hit closer to home—Zelle scams. Yep, still alive and thriving. JPMorgan Chase recently reported a sharp spike in complaints about scammers impersonating bank fraud departments. Picture this: you get a text saying there’s suspicious activity on your account. Then boom—a call from someone spoofing the Chase number, guiding you into transferring money “to secure it.” Spoiler: that money is gone forever. There’s no insurance when you authorize a scam transaction, folks.

    Switching gears—Instagram and TikTok are fertile honeypots for another exploding scam. Ever get a DM offering paid ambassador gigs? Sounds glamorous, right? This week, influencers on TikTok called out a fake beauty brand named "LuxeBloom Skincare" that’s been tricking people into buying hundreds of dollars in inventory for a job that doesn’t exist. That’s the modern twist—MLM-meets-scammer vibes. And they’re slick—they’re using AI-generated reps and even fake video calls.

    Also, for my crypto bros—yeah, you’re still a target. This week, blockchain analytics firms flagged a fresh round of wallet drainers tied to malicious browser extensions. You install a simple Chrome plug-in for managing NFTs and poof—your assets vanish. A Russian cyber group called OXYCorp has been linked to several of these thefts, and though at least one arrest was made in Montenegro, the rest of the gang’s scattered like bugs.

    So here’s the golden rule: trust no one and verify everything. Never click unsolicited links. Never give banking info over the phone. And if someone’s offering you free money, guess what—they’re after yours. Phishing kits, fake brands, AI catfish—2025’s scams are software-defined chaos. But now? You’re updated.

    Stay sharp, stay skeptical—Scotty out.
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    3 mins
  • Cybersleuth Scotty Exposes Massive Tech Support Scams and Smishing Attacks

    Cybersleuth Scotty Exposes Massive Tech Support Scams and Smishing Attacks
    Jul 3 2025
    My name’s Scotty—friendly neighborhood cyber sleuth—and I’ve got your back in the war against scams, creeps, and keyboard villains. Trust me, it’s been a wild week in the scamverse.

    Let’s talk about the big headline: a man named Vikram Desai was arrested in San Jose on Monday after running a massive tech support fraud ring that stole more than $14 million from victims across the U.S. His crew impersonated Microsoft and Norton support, convincing people their devices were "infected" and then charging them thousands to "fix" fake problems. Classic rat-in-a-suitcase scam.

    Now here's the twist—he was caught thanks to a sting involving gift cards and remote desktop recordings. The FBI, working with Apple and Visa fraud units, noticed a pattern: multiple elderly victims buying massive amounts of app store credits after receiving pop-ups on their screens. One woman even screen-shared her desktop with what she thought was a technician—turns out it was a cyber-sockpuppet rerouting her bank funds in real time. Wilde.

    Meanwhile, over in London, authorities nabbed Luka Baric, the 24-year-old behind the Telegram-based scam market called "SpoofCity." This guy sold fake identity kits, phishing templates, and even paywalled call spoofing tools that made your number appear like your bank’s. Wanna hear the kicker? He got caught not via hacking but because he tried to buy a Rolex... with crypto... off a stolen ID while livestreaming himself unboxing the watch. Smooth criminal? Nope, just dumb.

    Now for something fresh—if you’ve received texts saying your FedEx package is stalled or your Netflix account is suspended, don’t click that link. This is part of the fast-growing "smishing" wave. In fact, the FCC issued an alert just yesterday warning that shipping and streaming scams have spiked over 300% in just a month, largely due to AI-generated texts that look eerily authentic.

    So, what can you do? First—never, ever trust urgency. Scammers thrive on making you panic. Second—if someone asks for payment via gift cards, crypto, or money transfer apps like Zelle “to avoid suspension,” that’s your red flag buffet. And don’t get comfy just because it’s a big brand name—scammers are impersonating Netflix, the IRS, Chase Bank, you name it.

    Finally, always verify with a second source. If you get a weird email from Amazon or a text from your "bank," go directly to the official app or website. Never trust a link sent out of the blue.

    Alright, cybernauts—that’s your scam scan for the week. Update your passwords, patch your devices, and keep your wits sharper than a phishing hook. I’m Scotty, reminding you: out there, it’s not paranoia if they’re really trying to get your login. Stay safe and stay encrypted.
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    3 mins
  • Beware Crypto Scams, Bank Phishing, and AI Voice Tricks: Your Ultimate Cybersecurity Roundup

    Beware Crypto Scams, Bank Phishing, and AI Voice Tricks: Your Ultimate Cybersecurity Roundup
    Jun 28 2025
    Hey hey! It’s your cyber-savvy cousin Scotty here, sliding into your brainwaves with a hot-off-the-wire update on the latest internet scams. And trust me, it’s been a spicy week in Scamland.

    Let’s start with the big one — just days ago, the FBI finally nabbed Frederick "Freddie" Mansfield, aka the Crypto Phantom, right outside Phoenix, Arizona. This dude was running a crypto investment scam so slick, he had retirees, influencers, and even a retired MLB pitcher dumping Bitcoin into his fake "BlipFund." He promised 40% monthly returns using a secret trading algorithm — classic red flag, right? Turns out, his secret algorithm was really just spending your money on Lambos, rent in Sedona, and some very questionable NFTs of koalas doing yoga. Over $89 million vanished before the authorities caught up with him. Don’t trust anyone guaranteeing huge returns in crypto, folks. If it sounds like a gold mine with zero risk, it’s probably a digital graveyard.

    Next stop, Chase Bank users — if you’ve gotten a “fraud alert” text in the past 72 hours, listen up. There’s a phishing wave going around right now, pretending to be Chase’s security team. The message says your account is locked and includes a link that looks real — until you click it and it asks for your login, SSN, and ATM PIN. I talked to my source at the Cybercrime Division in New York, and they said it’s part of a ring operating out of Lagos and Bucharest. So remember: banks will never ask for that kind of info over a link. If you get a weird message, go to the app or call the bank. Don’t play Tap the Link with your life savings.

    Now here’s a weird one — AI voice scams are hitting the suburbs. Just this Tuesday, a woman outside Sacramento got a call from someone using her daughter’s voice, saying she'd been kidnapped. Spoiler: she was at summer camp, roasting marshmallows. Scammers used social media clips to deepfake her daughter’s voice. Fast thinking mom contacted police, and the FBI is now tracing the spoofing servers. Rule of thumb: always confirm with a second call, use safe words with family, and don’t panic buy their lies.

    Also, if you're on Facebook Marketplace — extra caution. There’s a surge in Zelle scams where fake buyers trick sellers into “Zelle business account upgrades.” Pay attention: no such upgrade exists. If someone says you need to refund them for an “auto-converted business fee,” back away slowly and report it.

    Scotty’s final tip? Turn on two-factor authentication, use password managers, and for the love of bandwidth — stop reusing your dog’s name with an exclamation mark for every login. C’mon, we’re better than “Buster!123”.

    That’s your Scam Sync-up for June 28, 2025. Stay smart, stay skeptical, and as always — if your phone rings and it smells like panic, it’s probably not opportunity. It’s a scammer.

    Catch ya in the next breach!
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    3 mins
  • Cybercrime Crackdown: Scam Busting Tips for the Digital Age

    Cybercrime Crackdown: Scam Busting Tips for the Digital Age
    Jun 26 2025
    Hey hey, Scotty here—your favorite cyber sleuth and certified buster of bogus bytes. Let’s get straight to it: scams are popping off this week like popcorn in a microwave, and some recent headlines are straight outta a hacker-themed soap opera.

    First up—chances are you've laughed at a prince-from-Nigeria email at least once in your life, right? Well, fast-forward to now and welcome to the evolved version. Last Friday, authorities in Canada finally nabbed the guys behind a global business email compromise scheme, led by none other than Seun Adediran, a 34-year-old dual citizen of Nigeria and the UK. These jokers were running sophisticated phishing campaigns, intercepting legit business emails and rerouting wire transfers to their own accounts. Estimated damages? Over $20 million in just two years. That’s not Netflix money—that’s international villain money.

    Meanwhile, over in the States, the beloved state of Ohio just busted a crew using deepfake tech to impersonate business executives via video calls. Yeah, AI-powered scams are very much real and getting creepier. These fraudsters used generative AI to clone voices and faces for convincing Zoom calls—and convinced finance teams to transfer six-figure sums. Rule of thumb: if your CFO suddenly sounds like they’re reading cue cards on fast-forward, hang up and call them directly.

    This week’s PSA: AI + scams = your bank account crying.

    Now, let’s talk about the TikTok “investment guru” trend, which is less a trend and more an elaborate carnival mirror of lies. A guy named Devin Schroeder from Arizona just got arrested for allegedly running a Ponzi crypto scheme he'd branded as a “blockchain wealth strategy.” Spoiler: it was just him spending investor money on Lambos, not Litecoin. Authorities say he duped followers into handing over nearly $4 million. If you’re getting finance tips from someone who records in a pool float with a ring light—reconsider.

    And the bombshell from earlier this morning: the FBI issued a warning about scam apps targeting seniors using QR codes on legitimate health websites. It's called QPhish—no, that’s not a band—where users scan a code to “download their vaccine passport” and instead end up installing a spyware-laced app. Wild stuff, right?

    So here’s the game plan to dodge these digital bullets: never trust QR codes unless they’re on something you physically initiated—like a bank’s sign-in page or a trusted retailer. Check and double-check URLs. And call humans. Seriously. The phone still works.

    And scammers love urgency. “Act now!” “Limited time!” It's not a discount, it's a danger flag. Trust but verify, folks. And if your tech-savvy niece says, “That looks sus”—listen to her.

    In this age of AI clones, slick TikTok snake oilers, and QR code chaos, keep your head on a swivel. And remember: when in doubt… ask Scotty. I’ll always be out here to keep you a step ahead of the con game.

    Stay sharp, stay safe, stay scam-proof. Scotty out.
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    3 mins
  • Beware the Latest Internet Scams: Crypto Traps, Deepfake Fraud, and Sneaky QR Codes

    Beware the Latest Internet Scams: Crypto Traps, Deepfake Fraud, and Sneaky QR Codes
    Jun 24 2025
    Alright folks, it's Scotty here—your friendly scam-sleuth, cyber hawk, and digital disaster whisperer. I’ve got the scoop on the latest internet scams swirling around like malware in a junk folder, and believe me, this week has been noisier than a data center on Black Friday.

    So, let’s jump in. Big news first: just days ago, the FBI confirmed the takedown of a massive crypto scam ring based out of Miami. This was Operation Crypto Trap, not to be confused with your cousin's Instagram crypto "guru." These guys were using fake apps that mirrored real exchanges—names like Kraken and Coinbase—to trick users out of millions. Victims downloaded what they thought were legit apps, entered their private keys, and boom—wallets drained faster than your phone’s battery at 3%.

    The mastermind? A guy named Javier Ruiz-Santos, and let me tell you—this fella was a class-A cyber snake. He even hired voice actors to impersonate support staff. He was arrested last Wednesday, and the feds say over $30 million worth of crypto was recovered. Moral of the story? Always, always verify app sources and URLs. If your crypto app is asking for your seed phrase out the gate, you better ask it for ID.

    Now over in Europe, INTERPOL took down an AI voice scam operation run out of Bucharest. This one’s wild. Using deepfake audio magic, scammers cloned CEO voices to request wire transfers from unsuspecting employees. One French tech company wired €680,000 thinking their CEO was stuck in Tokyo needing "urgent liquidity"—which sounds legit until you realize nobody says "urgent liquidity" unless they’re in finance or full of it. The AI-generated calls were creepy good. So, if your boss’s voice suddenly sounds too slick—or calls from an unknown number demanding money—slow your roll and verify on a known line.

    Closer to home, there’s a PayPal scam that's picking up steam. People are getting emails supposedly from PayPal, saying there's suspicious activity on their account and providing a "secure" link. Spoiler alert: it's anything but. That link leads you to a lookalike site that grabs your credentials faster than a bored hacker on a slow Tuesday. Remember, legit companies won’t ask for billing info via email. If in doubt, go to the site directly, not through a link.

    Oh, and I’ve gotta mention the latest social engineering trick: QR code scams, or as I call them—Sneaky Pixels. Bad actors are slapping fake QR codes on parking meters, restaurant tables, even gas pumps. You scan to pay or view a menu, and instead you’re feeding malware into your device like it’s brunch. Bottom line: if a QR code looks sketchy or misplaced, don’t scan it. Ask for a verified payment method.

    So that’s the scoop. In 2025, scams are smarter, slicker, and more cinematic than ever. Stay paranoid in the right ways, double-check everything, and remember—the internet never sleeps, and neither do the scammers. Scotty out.
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    3 mins