Never before has there been a time such as the present where families need to protect their older family members and those living alone from the ills of cybercrime. Those who struggle with failing memory are particularly vulnerable to cybercriminals and predators. 

A growing number of older adults are falling victim to online scams, and we need better awareness, clearer guidance, and stronger support systems to protect older people online.

This is according to a research study titled “Cybercrime Against Senior Citizens: Exploring Ageism, Ideal Victimhood, and the Pivotal Role of Socio-economics”, co-authored by Dr Suleman Lazarus, a sociologist affiliated with the University of the Western Cape. His research, alongside colleagues from the University of Surrey and the University of Portsmouth, sheds light on how older adults are deliberately targeted by online fraudsters and why age-based discrimination – ageism – plays a central role in these crimes.

The study suggests that recognising the unique challenges older adults face – both personal and societal – is the first step in building real defences against online fraud.

As the digital world moves faster, we can’t afford to leave anyone behind. Protecting older adults means not just understanding the scams but confronting the prejudices that create greater opportunity for such exploitation.

The study mentions that as the global population ages, with more people over 65 than ever before, cybercriminals are increasingly going after this group, not just because some may have savings, but because they’re seen as easier to deceive.

It looks at how age-based stereotypes and social factors make older adults particularly vulnerable and points to challenges like memory issues, living alone, or not being familiar with online security. 

These risks, combined with scammers’ harmful assumptions – such as thinking older people are more trusting or less tech-savvy – create a perfect storm for fraud.

One key idea from the research is that cybercriminals don’t just stumble upon older victims – they often target them on purpose. The authors call this “ageism in cybercrime.” And it’s not just the criminals: society tends to view older scam victims as blameless and fragile, which can shape how we respond to their experiences, sometimes with sympathy, but not always with meaningful support.

What sets this study apart is the way it categorises these scams. Instead of grouping all tech-related crimes together, the authors highlight a specific type they call “socio-economic cybercrime”, – where the main goal is to steal money using online tools.

These scams include romance fraud, fake investment schemes and phishing messages. They often take advantage of older adults’ social isolation, insecurity in navigating digital financial systems, and limited digital confidence.

“The issue is not a lack of money per se, but rather a lack of confidence or familiarity in handling financial matters within the digital space,” he concluded.

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