Presentation Workshop 10: Cybersecurity - GASS Americas 2024

Karen Hobbs, Assistant Director, Division of Consumer and Business Education of the FTC, captivated the audience with her insightful session on the Principles of Effective Consumer Education Messaging & Industry Training during GASS Americas.

Also the presentation of Eva Velasquez, CEO of ID Theft Center, talking about universal risk, complex Threats, and specialized support.

Karen Hobbs - Principles of effective consumer education messaging & industry training.pdf

Eva Velasquez - Universal risk, complexed threats, ans specialized support.pdf

Nov 20, 2024

1 minute read

Dutch National Police’s Game Over?! Campaign Prompts Scam Suspects to Turn Themselves In

A Dutch National Police campaign identified 74 of 100 suspects in impersonation scams, showing how public tips can support investigations.

Best Practices Region - Europe Topic - Scam Awareness Industry - Law Enforcement

What Really Works in Preventing Fraud Against Older Adults | Research Working Group Meeting

GASA’s Research Working Group explores evidence-based ways to prevent fraud against older adults and close research gaps.

Best Practices Region - Europe Region - Global Topic - Fraud Research

Measuring What Matters: The New Methodology Behind the 2026 State of Scams Reports

Learn how GASA updated the 2026 State of Scams methodology with stricter validation, data cleaning, and loss calculations to estimate scam harm more accurately.

Report Topic - Scam Reporting Region - Global Scam Trends

Brazil Strengthens Online Safeguards for Minors

Brazil Introduces New Digital Protections for Minors

Brazil’s new digital statute strengthens protections for minors through platform design controls, age assurance measures, and regulatory enforcement.

Best Practices Topic - Fraud Policy Industry - Law Enforcement Industry - Policy Makers

Romance scams continue to grow worldwide, exploiting trust, emotional vulnerability, and online relationships to manipulate victims into financial and emotional harm. Timed around Brazil’s Valentine’s Day period, the latest GASA meet-up, Golpes do Amor — Como eles acontecem e como se proteger, explored how these scams operate, why they are so effective, and how individuals can better recognise warning signs before becoming victims. Hosted by the Brazil Chapter of the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA), the discussion highlighted findings from O Estado dos Golpes no Brasil. According to the report, romance scams have already affected 18 per cent of surveyed Brazilian adults, while 6 per cent of victims reported falling for this type of scam more than once. Beyond financial losses, speakers emphasised the severe emotional consequences victims often experience, including shame, trauma, and loss of trust. Read the Report – O Estado dos Golpes no Brasil Speakers: Rose Leonel, Journalist and Founder – ONG Marias da Internet Tanila Savoy, Founder – Associação Nacional de Vítimas da Internet (ANVINT) Lisandréa Salvariego Colabuono, Police Chief and Coordinator – NOAD, Polícia Civil de São Paulo Renata Salvini, Brazil Chapter Director – Global Anti-Scam Alliance A major focus of the discussion was the manipulation techniques commonly used in romance scams. Speakers explained how scammers frequently create convincing identities, often pretending to be foreigners, military personnel, or individuals living abroad, while avoiding in-person meetings and building emotional dependency over time. Urgency and financial pressure were highlighted as major warning signs, particularly when victims are pushed to act quickly or send money under emotional circumstances. The webinar also explored the lasting psychological impact of these crimes and reinforced that victims should never be blamed. Rose Leonel shared her personal story of transforming trauma into advocacy after becoming a victim of non-consensual intimate image sharing, an experience that ultimately contributed to the creation of the Rose Leonel Law in Brazil. Speakers stressed the importance of reporting scams, noting that even small details can assist investigations and help prevent future victims. The conversation reinforced the need for greater public awareness, victim support, and collaboration between civil society, law enforcement, and digital platforms to address emotionally manipulative fraud more effectively. Through initiatives like this meet-up, GASA continues working with experts and organisations worldwide to strengthen scam prevention and support victims of online fraud. Watch the full discussion below to learn how individuals and organisations can better recognise and respond to romance scams.

Romance Scams in Brazil: Warning Signs and Prevention

Experts from Brazil discuss how romance scams work, their emotional impact, and how victims can protect themselves online.

Topic - Scam Awareness Video Event - GASA Meet-Ups Industry - Law Enforcement

Acción coordinada. Impacto real. México lidera el cambio

De Viena a la Acción: GASA México y UNODC México Cierran Brechas Operativas

GASA México y UNODC México formalizan un Acuerdo de Intercambio de Comunicaciones, convirtiendo los compromisos globales de Viena en acción coordinada contra el fraude.

News Topic - Fraud Policy Industry - Policy Makers Region - Latin America

un global fraud summit what comes next discussions

What the UN Global Fraud Summit Discussions Tell Us About What Comes Next

Watch expert discussions from the UN Global Fraud Summit on the industrialisation of fraud, global collaboration, public–private frameworks, and next steps for implementation.

Best Practices Industry - National Cyber Security Centers (NCSCs) Region - Europe Region - Global

Game Over for Scammers: Regional Defenses Against Online Gambling–Related Scams

Experts from INTERPOL, ACMA, and DGOJ examine how gambling-related scams operate and how global enforcement is responding.

Region - Europe Video Topic - Fraud Policy Event - GASA Meet-Ups