Research & Projects
Here is my research output and case studies that demonstrate my skills and expertise.
Ray of Hope for the Desperate
Currently Researching
Expected Completion: TBD
This research expands on the findings of Feast on the Desperate, a study that explored the impact of social engineering on individuals and organisations. It delves into the role of parasocial relationships in scam victimisation and provides practical recommendations for individuals to protect themselves from these sophisticated schemes.
Metaverse & Exposure of Children to the Dark Corners of the Internet
Currently Researching
The metaverse, an expanding network of persistent, immersive virtual worlds, presents novel challenges for child safety. While platforms such as VRChat offer unprecedented social interaction, their open and often unmoderated nature creates significant risks. These environments can expose minors to harmful content, grooming, and simulated sexual assault, mirroring the dangers of the internet's most unregulated spaces. This research investigates the specific vulnerabilities inherent in such platforms, analyses the mechanisms through which harm occurs, and evaluates potential technological and policy-based safeguards to protect children in these nascent digital territories.
Expected Completion: TBD
Feast on the Desperate
Release Date:
The Challenge: This paper addresses the escalating threat of cryptocurrency scams by examining the social engineering and psychological tactics that exploit individuals. We identify a critical gap in public awareness and expose how social media, leveraging platforms, influencers, and targeted advertising, is a primary vector for these sophisticated schemes. The research highlights that these scams succeed not just through technical means, but by preying on human vulnerabilities like FoMo (Fear of Missing Out) and other emotional manipulations.
Methodology & Analysis: Through a detailed analysis of scam victimisation and real-world testimonies, this work delves into the psychological underpinnings of why individuals fall prey to these schemes. The paper synthesises elements from disparate fields, phishing prevention, the SCAMS Checklist, the I-PACE model, and insights from parasocial relationships to develop a new, comprehensive framework for scam prevention. This interdisciplinary approach provides a more holistic defence strategy.
The Key Findings & Contributions:The study's findings confirm that scammers systematically exploit financial fears and parasocial trust to bypass logical decision making. Our primary contribution is the proposed comprehensive framework, which empowers individuals with a combined set of tools to identify and avoid fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes. This framework's novelty lies in its integration of psychological and social factors with established technical prevention methods.
Implications & Conclusion: The implications of this research are significant for both individuals and organisations. By understanding the psychological tactics employed by scammers, we can better equip ourselves to resist these manipulative strategies. The proposed framework serves as a valuable resource for developing targeted educational initiatives and preventive measures in the fight against cryptocurrency scams.
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Articles I have written on Substack