Shownotes Transcript
Alright, folks, gather ‘round and listen up—because the scammers are out in full force, and some of them just got a very rude awakening from law enforcement. I’m Scotty, your go-to expert on all things scams, cyber, and hacking, and today, we’re breaking down the latest internet scams, the crooks who just got caught, and how to keep yourself scam-free in 2025. Let’s start with the big fish—Everett Malone, a so-called “crypto investment guru” who was just arrested in Miami. This guy convinced thousands of people to invest in his fake trading platform, promising ridiculous returns with AI-driven crypto trades. Spoiler alert: There was no AI, and the only thing that got traded was investors’ life savings—straight into Malone’s offshore accounts. The FBI finally tracked him down after months of international wire transfers, and now he’s looking at decades behind bars. The lesson here? If someone’s promising guaranteed profits in crypto or forex, run. Legit investing involves risks, and no AI—real or imaginary—can predict markets perfectly. Moving on, let’s talk about a new phishing scam hitting inboxes everywhere. It’s disguised as a “Microsoft Security Alert,” warning you that your account has been compromised. The email, complete with the company’s logo and legal-sounding language, urges you to click a link to “secure” your account. But that link? It takes you to a fake Microsoft login page designed to steal your credentials. Just last week, over 50,000 people fell for it. Reminder: Never click login links from emails. Always go directly to the official site by typing the URL yourself. And speaking of stolen credentials, hackers are going after people’s tax refunds through a scam known as “refund hijacking.” Scammers get hold of personal details—sometimes from past data breaches or, worse, from social media oversharing—file a fraudulent tax return in your name, and intercept the refund before you realize what happened. The IRS says cases have skyrocketed this filing season. Your best defense? File your taxes as early as possible and set up direct deposit with a secure bank account. Now, onto romance scams—because apparently, scammers never miss an opportunity to exploit emotions. Authorities just took down a group operating out of Lagos that had been running an international “love scam” ring. They lured victims through dating apps, built months-long relationships, then started asking for money due to fake “emergencies." One woman in London lost nearly $300,000 to a scammer who convinced her he was a US Army officer stationed overseas. Bottom line? If someone you’ve never met is asking for money, it’s a scam. No exceptions. And finally, let’s talk AI deepfakes—because they’re being weaponized in scams more than ever. A recent deepfake scam in Hong Kong tricked an employee into transferring $25 million after a video call with what appeared to be his company’s CFO. Except, surprise—it wasn’t the CFO. It was AI-generated fakery, built from real video footage and voice synthesis. The best way to fight this? Always verify major requests with a second method, like a phone call to a known number or an in-person confirmation. The internet is a battlefield, folks, and scammers are evolving. So stay sharp, double-check everything, and when in doubt—trust no one. Until next time, stay safe out there!