High awareness, high risk? A paradoxical examination of cyber fraud victimisation patterns among older victims

Purpose This study aims to examine the cybercrime awareness among older victims of cyber fraud, emphasising the paradox of high awareness coexisting with vulnerability. Design/methodology/approach The data used for this study are based on the experience of 98 older individuals who were victims of cyber fraud. The data were collected with the help of a structured interview schedule and a Cybercrime Awareness Scale, using a purposive sampling method. Findings This study revealed a paradoxical relationship between awareness and victimisation. Cybercrime awareness among older victims is widespread yet unevenly distributed across socio-demographic profiles. The strongest predictors of awareness are education, nativity and religion, but none of these factors provides guaranteed protection against cyber fraud victimisation. Practical implications The study’s findings suggest that we need programs focused on behaviour that move beyond not just sharing information, instead offering training that builds emotional and cognitive resilience among older adults. Originality/value This research provides new insights that the persistence of victimisation among highly aware individuals demonstrates that cybersecurity is not just a technical issue but also a matter of how we think (cognition) and behave (behaviour) online.