In this conversation with Jorij Abraham, CEO of ScamAdvisor and General Manager of the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA), we discuss the need for cross-functional online collaboration to turn the tide against online scams.
The Global Anti-Scam Alliance: A Bold Mission
The Global Anti-Scam Alliance has a bold mission: to make the world safe from all kinds of scams. I met with Jorij Abraham, the founder of GASA, to learn about his journey into the anti-scam industry.
Jorij’s Journey into the Anti-Scam Industry
Jorij shared how he stumbled into the anti-scam industry unintentionally. Previously involved in e-commerce, he worked for large corporations and even launched "Safe Sell Shop," a global trust seal. However, it was his encounter with ScamAdvisor, an initiative to detect website legitimacy in real time, that led him to take on the fight against scammers.
Recognizing that ScamAdvisor was only addressing the symptoms, Jorij founded GASA to create a collaborative network dedicated to fighting scams.
Insights from ScamAdvisor: Trends in Scams
ScamAdvisor’s platform offers valuable insights into scam trends, revealing the most common types of scams. Online shopping scams remain prevalent, with individuals either receiving fake products or nothing at all. Investment scams have also seen a sharp increase, with people falling victim to fraudulent investment opportunities, especially in cryptocurrencies and forex. Moreover, scammers are now combining investment scams with romantic dating scams, leading to financial grooming—an emotionally devastating trend.
The Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA): Fighting Scammers Together
GASA aims to create a united front in the fight against scammers. By bringing together governments, law enforcement, consumer protection organizations, scam fighters, and the commercial sector, GASA seeks to share knowledge, intelligence, and best practices. GASA holds annual global summits where industry leaders collaborate and define better solutions to combat online scammers effectively.
Highlights from GASA Summit: Impactful Presentations
The GASA summit featured presentations that left a lasting impact on the audience. Ayleen Charlotte, a victim of the Tinder Swindler, shared her story, breaking the stereotype that scam victims are unintelligent. Jim Browning, a hacker, was also a key presenter, exposing the masterminds behind scam call centers. His efforts to reveal the kingpins behind scams earned him recognition from the Austrian police.
GASA’s 10 Recommendations to Tackle Scams
Recognizing the urgent need for action, GASA published 10 recommendations to turn the tide on scams. These focus on driving awareness, unified reporting, industry knowledge sharing, and other initiatives. GASA emphasizes that collaborative efforts and international cooperation are essential to fight scams effectively.
The Role of Fraud Fighters in the Fight Against Scams
Fraud fighters play a crucial role in GASA’s mission to combat scams. As individuals, they are welcome to join GASA’s network, attend virtual meetings, and access ScamAdvisor data to better protect consumers. Additionally, financial institutions and merchants are encouraged to share information on scam websites, ensuring collective awareness and action against scammers.
A Vision of Hope in a Changing Landscape
Despite the challenges, Jorij remains hopeful. Drawing parallels to historical events like taming the Wild West, he believes that the scam landscape can be transformed through collective effort and innovative strategies. As scams continue to evolve, it’s vital for industry players and organizations to come together and collaborate, making the world a safer place for everyone.
Conclusion
In this illuminating conversation, Jorij Abraham shed light on the escalating challenges of scams and the mission of the Global Anti-Scam Alliance. By fostering collaboration, driving awareness, and implementing strategic initiatives, they aim to create a world free from the financial and emotional trauma caused by scams. As we navigate the changing landscape of scams, let us all join hands and be scam rangers, working together to protect consumers and dismantle the scams plaguing our digital world.
