Hacking Humans
When a Scammer Meets the Force.
AI Summary
The episode reviews the latest social engineering threats, highlighting CrowdStrike's 2025 Global Threat Report which notes faster breach times, a rise in vishing and account abuse, and a shift toward malware‑free intrusions. It then examines the industrialization of "pig‑butchering" romance scams, detailing how fraud gangs use scripted psychological tactics to lure victims into fake investments. Guest Rishika Desai discusses the emerging tactic of renting social‑media ad accounts to facilitate scams, and the hosts share a humorous Reddit story about using a Jedi‑style "Force" to repel a scammer. Overall, the conversation underscores the growing sophistication and diversification of cyber‑fraud techniques.
Episode Description
This week, while Maria Varmazis (also host of the T-Minus Space Daily show) is out, our hosts Dave Bittner and Joe Carrigan are sharing the latest in social engineering scams, phishing schemes, and criminal exploits that are making headlines. Joe starts us off with a chicken update. Joe’s story is on CrowdStrike’s 2025 Global Threat Report, which reveals faster-than-ever breakout times, a surge in vishing and initial access attacks, widespread abuse of valid accounts, and a growing shift toward malware-free intrusions as adversaries become more numerous and sophisticated. Dave’s got the story on how “pig-butchering” romance scams are industrialized, detailing Reuters’ reporting on cyberfraud gangs using step-by-step psychological playbooks to groom victims, manufacture emotional attachment, and rapidly funnel them into fake investments that leave lasting financial and emotional damage. Rishika Desai, Threat Researcher and Writer from Bfore.ai, joins Dave and Joe to discuss renting social media ad accounts for scamming purposes. Our catch of the day comes from Reddit, where one user channels their inner Jedi and uses the Force to send a pesky scammer retreating to the dark side.
Resources and links to stories:
A scammer’sblueprint
CROWDSTRIKE 2025 GLOBAL THREAT REPORT
Have a Catch of the Day you'd like to share? Email it to us at hackinghumans@n2k.com.
Show Notes
This week, while Maria Varmazis (also host of the T-Minus Space Daily show) is out, our hosts Dave Bittner and Joe Carrigan are sharing the latest in social engineering scams, phishing schemes, and criminal exploits that are making headlines. Joe starts us off with a chicken update. Joe’s story is on CrowdStrike’s 2025 Global Threat Report, which reveals faster-than-ever breakout times, a surge in vishing and initial access attacks, widespread abuse of valid accounts, and a growing shift toward malware-free intrusions as adversaries become more numerous and sophisticated. Dave’s got the story on how “pig-butchering” romance scams are industrialized, detailing Reuters’ reporting on cyberfraud gangs using step-by-step psychological playbooks to groom victims, manufacture emotional attachment, and rapidly funnel them into fake investments that leave lasting financial and emotional damage. Rishika Desai, Threat Researcher and Writer from Bfore.ai, joins Dave and Joe to discuss renting social media ad accounts for scamming purposes. Our catch of the day comes from Reddit, where one user channels their inner Jedi and uses the Force to send a pesky scammer retreating to the dark side.
Resources and links to stories:
Have a Catch of the Day you'd like to share? Email it to us at hackinghumans@n2k.com.
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