Live Simulation
Spot the Lever, Pick the Safe Move
You will see 6 realistic scam messages. For each one: (1) identify the manipulation lever, (2) choose the safe response. Pass mark is 80%.
Core concepts
Fear
Urgency
Authority
Sympathy
Scarcity
What to do — every time
- 1. Slow down.
- 2. Verify on another channel.
- 3. Ask someone you trust.
- Scenario 1 of 6 · Phone call from an unknown number
‘Your child has been in an accident’
“A panicked voice: ‘Mum, I’ve been in an accident. I’m at the hospital and they need a deposit right now — please wire €1,800 to this account in the next 10 minutes or they can’t treat me.’”
1. Which lever is being pulled?2. What do you do? - Scenario 2 of 6 · SMS that looks like it came from your bank
‘We blocked a suspicious payment’
“‘Suspicious €620 transaction from your card. Confirm or cancel in 15 minutes: bank-secure-verify.com/cancel — after that the funds will be released.’”
1. Which lever is being pulled?2. What do you do? - Scenario 3 of 6 · Email + voice note from your boss
‘CEO needs a wire today’
“An email and a voice clip in your CEO’s voice: ‘Quick favour — I’m in a meeting, please wire €38,000 to the attached vendor today. I’ll explain after. Don’t cc anyone.’”
1. Which lever is being pulled?2. What do you do? - Scenario 4 of 6 · Long-running dating-app chat
‘I’m stuck overseas and you’re my only friend’
“After 6 weeks of warm daily conversation: ‘My wallet was stolen at the airport in Lagos. You’re the only person I trust. Could you send €900 — I’ll repay you the moment I land.’”
1. Which lever is being pulled?2. What do you do? - Scenario 5 of 6 · Telegram group invite from an influencer
‘Only 3 founder spots left’
“‘Our private alpha pool closes tonight. Guaranteed 4× in 30 days. Only 3 founder spots left at €500 each. Send USDT to the address in the pinned message.’”
1. Which lever is being pulled?2. What do you do? - Scenario 6 of 6 · SMS with a tracking-style link
‘Customs fee due to release your parcel’
“‘DHL: parcel #4527810 held at customs. €2.49 fee outstanding. Pay in next 24 hrs to avoid return: dhl-customs-pay.link/pay’”
1. Which lever is being pulled?2. What do you do?
Answer all 6 scenarios to submit.
