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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. 1. Slow down.
  2. 2. Verify on another channel.
  3. 3. Ask someone you trust.
  1. 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?
  2. 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?
  3. 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?
  4. 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?
  5. 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?
  6. 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.