The Grandparent Scam: A Systems Perspective Case Study On Elder Fraud And The Concept Of Human Layering

TL;DR

This paper analyzes the grandparent scam through a systems perspective, highlighting how scams manipulate conscience and draw parallels with money laundering layering, revealing complex victimization and scam execution strategies.

Contribution

It introduces a novel systems perspective on elder fraud, connecting scam tactics with concepts of human layering and weaponization of conscience.

Findings

Scams exploit moral and emotional vulnerabilities.

Layering techniques are used to conceal scam origins.

Victimization involves complex social and psychological manipulation.

Abstract

In April 2024, an 81-year-old Ohio man was charged with murder, assault, and kidnapping. The man believed that he was protecting his family from scammers threatening harm. What he did not realize was that the 61-year-old Uber driver he killed, was also a victim of the same scammers. This case study examines some common variants of the Grandparent Scam from a systems perspective and how weaponization of conscience is used in these scams. Additionally, this study examines the parallels between layering in money laundering and human layering in the execution of these scams.