June 18, 2026

2026

Cervical Cancer causes a death every two minutes around the world: What is this disease and why is it so dangerous |

Cervical Cancer causes a death every two minutes around the world: What is this disease and why is it so dangerous |

Vamsikrishna05 mins mins

Every two minutes, a woman dies from cervical cancer somewhere in the world, according to the United Nations and the World Health Organization (WHO). The disease ranks as the fourth most common female cancer worldwide because it caused 660,000 new cases and 350,000 deaths during 2022. The preventable nature of cervical cancer exists alongside its…

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Tension in West Bengal: Mob attacks police for arresting TMC worker in Sandeshkhali; 6 cops injured

Tension in West Bengal: Mob attacks police for arresting TMC worker in Sandeshkhali; 6 cops injured

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

KOLKATA: Six police personnel were injured after a mob attacked them while they were arresting a Trinamool Congress (TMC) activist in West Bengal’s Sandeshkhali area of North 24 Parganas district police said on Saturday.The injured policemen, including an officer, were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment and later discharged.A team from Nazat police station…

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Tamil Nadu chief minister and DMK president MK Stalin (ANI) NEW DELHI: Tamil Nadu chief minister and DMK president MK Stalin on Saturday launched the party’s election manifesto portal 2026 at the party headquarters, Anna Arivalayam, in Chennai, marking the beginning of preparations for the upcoming assembly elections.Stalin introduced the official email ID, WhatsApp number and social media platforms of the DMK Election Manifesto Drafting Committee, which is intended to collect ideas and suggestions from people across different sections of society for the party’s election manifesto.He also announced the launch of the “Tamil Nadu Assured Pension Scheme,” which will extend the benefits of the Old Pension Scheme.Under the new scheme, government employees will be assured a pension equal to 50 per cent of their last drawn salary. To implement this, the state government will contribute the entire additional amount required to the Pension Fund, over and above the 10 per cent contribution made by employees.Addressing the gathering, MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi said the party leadership wanted the manifesto to be shaped by public opinion.”This manifesto should be the people’s manifesto, which is what our leader advised us. Suresh Sambandham have created a portal, and we are going to launch it today, where people can give inputs. We thank our leader who came to launch the portal today. I also thank our CM for coming here after a big announcement on pensions,” she said.Kanimozhi said the DMK’s election manifestos have consistently focused on fulfilling promises made to the people. She added that the newly launched portal would allow common citizens from any sector to speak, write or upload their suggestions. “Today, we are launching a portal where common people who may be from any sector can talk, type and upload their inputs. Using AI, the portal will give us a recommendation,” she said.The launch comes a day after Congress MP Jothimani took a veiled jibe at DMK, warning that the Tamil Nadu unit of her party was being prevented from carrying out basic election-related responsibilities. She said the Congress was heading towards gradual destruction due to the selfish interests of a few leaders.“No political party would ever think of obstructing its parliamentary members from submitting the list of polling booth agents to the Election Commission at election time. Yet, in the Congress party, that is precisely what is happening,” she said, adding, “Tamil Nadu is facing an unprecedented peril from communalist, separatist, and violent forces.”Meanwhile, the BJP on Monday accused the Congress of exposing what it termed the DMK government’s “failure model” in Tamil Nadu. BJP spokesperson CR Kesavan cited remarks by a Congress affiliate on rising state debt, questioned the stability of the Congress-DMK alliance, and sought responses from Chief Minister MK Stalin and Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin.Tamil Nadu is among the states where assembly elections are scheduled to be held later this year.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Slavery Destroys Heritage’: PM Modi’s Big Message After Unveiling Sacred Buddha Piprahwa RelicsBCCI Asks KKR To Release Bangladesh Player From IPL After Outrage Over Attacks On Hindu MinoritiesGovt Sends Notice To Elon Musk’s X On Grok AI Chatbot Misuse, IT Ministry Seeks Action ReportUttarakhand Minister’s Husband Sparks Outrage With ‘Bihar Girls’ Remark, Congress Hits Out At BJPPakistan Backs China’s Claim That It Mediated In Conflict With IndiaShankh Air Founder Speaks Out As Airline Eyes March Launch, Targets Intl Flights By 2029’Their Islamist Ideas…’: Ex-Bangladesh Minister Hits Out Over Attacks on Hindus And Christians’Very Petty & Shameful’: Shashi Tharoor On Row Over KKR Selecting Bangladeshi Player In IPLINLD President Calls For Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal Type Uprising In India Politics, Triggers RowBJP Claims Rahul Gandhi Ties To ‘Anti-India’ Panel Over US Lawmakers’ Umar Khalid Letter123PhotostoriesFrom ‘Saiyaara’ heartbreak to ‘FA9LA’ swagger and ‘Name Chale’ grit: Songs that turned 2025 into loudest viral soundtracksWhy some teens can’t get along with their parents: Sadhguru explains the real reason for the clash10 Indo-Chinese dishes to keep you warm during winter seasonJanuary 3, 2026 Full Moon: Powerful Affirmations For Your Birth DateNutrition fact of the day: Spinach doesn’t supply usable iron unless paired with vitamin CWhy toddlers feel big emotions in small situationsRelief for Bengaluru commuters: Kamaraj Road Fully Open After 6 YearsBengaluru: Nexus Mall prioritises expectant mothers with new ‘pink parking’ facilityHow to make Chicken Biryani in a Kadhai at home3 homemade replacements for protein powder shakes to try123Hot PicksOperation SindoorVande Bharat Sleeper TrainJanuary Bank holidayGold rate todayIncome Tax RefundBahrain Golden Visa 2025Bank Holidays DecemberTop TrendingSan Francisco 49ersBrittany MahomesNoah Lyles and Junelle Bromfield Net WorthWayne Gretzky Daughter Net WorthSidney Crosby LifestyleLeBron James vs Stephen Curry Net WorthTom BradyLeBron James WifeCam ThomasCharlie Kirk

Tamil Nadu chief minister and DMK president MK Stalin (ANI) NEW DELHI: Tamil Nadu chief minister and DMK president MK Stalin on Saturday launched the party’s election manifesto portal 2026 at the party headquarters, Anna Arivalayam, in Chennai, marking the beginning of preparations for the upcoming assembly elections.Stalin introduced the official email ID, WhatsApp number and social media platforms of the DMK Election Manifesto Drafting Committee, which is intended to collect ideas and suggestions from people across different sections of society for the party’s election manifesto.He also announced the launch of the “Tamil Nadu Assured Pension Scheme,” which will extend the benefits of the Old Pension Scheme.Under the new scheme, government employees will be assured a pension equal to 50 per cent of their last drawn salary. To implement this, the state government will contribute the entire additional amount required to the Pension Fund, over and above the 10 per cent contribution made by employees.Addressing the gathering, MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi said the party leadership wanted the manifesto to be shaped by public opinion.”This manifesto should be the people’s manifesto, which is what our leader advised us. Suresh Sambandham have created a portal, and we are going to launch it today, where people can give inputs. We thank our leader who came to launch the portal today. I also thank our CM for coming here after a big announcement on pensions,” she said.Kanimozhi said the DMK’s election manifestos have consistently focused on fulfilling promises made to the people. She added that the newly launched portal would allow common citizens from any sector to speak, write or upload their suggestions. “Today, we are launching a portal where common people who may be from any sector can talk, type and upload their inputs. Using AI, the portal will give us a recommendation,” she said.The launch comes a day after Congress MP Jothimani took a veiled jibe at DMK, warning that the Tamil Nadu unit of her party was being prevented from carrying out basic election-related responsibilities. She said the Congress was heading towards gradual destruction due to the selfish interests of a few leaders.“No political party would ever think of obstructing its parliamentary members from submitting the list of polling booth agents to the Election Commission at election time. Yet, in the Congress party, that is precisely what is happening,” she said, adding, “Tamil Nadu is facing an unprecedented peril from communalist, separatist, and violent forces.”Meanwhile, the BJP on Monday accused the Congress of exposing what it termed the DMK government’s “failure model” in Tamil Nadu. BJP spokesperson CR Kesavan cited remarks by a Congress affiliate on rising state debt, questioned the stability of the Congress-DMK alliance, and sought responses from Chief Minister MK Stalin and Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin.Tamil Nadu is among the states where assembly elections are scheduled to be held later this year.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Slavery Destroys Heritage’: PM Modi’s Big Message After Unveiling Sacred Buddha Piprahwa RelicsBCCI Asks KKR To Release Bangladesh Player From IPL After Outrage Over Attacks On Hindu MinoritiesGovt Sends Notice To Elon Musk’s X On Grok AI Chatbot Misuse, IT Ministry Seeks Action ReportUttarakhand Minister’s Husband Sparks Outrage With ‘Bihar Girls’ Remark, Congress Hits Out At BJPPakistan Backs China’s Claim That It Mediated In Conflict With IndiaShankh Air Founder Speaks Out As Airline Eyes March Launch, Targets Intl Flights By 2029’Their Islamist Ideas…’: Ex-Bangladesh Minister Hits Out Over Attacks on Hindus And Christians’Very Petty & Shameful’: Shashi Tharoor On Row Over KKR Selecting Bangladeshi Player In IPLINLD President Calls For Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal Type Uprising In India Politics, Triggers RowBJP Claims Rahul Gandhi Ties To ‘Anti-India’ Panel Over US Lawmakers’ Umar Khalid Letter123PhotostoriesFrom ‘Saiyaara’ heartbreak to ‘FA9LA’ swagger and ‘Name Chale’ grit: Songs that turned 2025 into loudest viral soundtracksWhy some teens can’t get along with their parents: Sadhguru explains the real reason for the clash10 Indo-Chinese dishes to keep you warm during winter seasonJanuary 3, 2026 Full Moon: Powerful Affirmations For Your Birth DateNutrition fact of the day: Spinach doesn’t supply usable iron unless paired with vitamin CWhy toddlers feel big emotions in small situationsRelief for Bengaluru commuters: Kamaraj Road Fully Open After 6 YearsBengaluru: Nexus Mall prioritises expectant mothers with new ‘pink parking’ facilityHow to make Chicken Biryani in a Kadhai at home3 homemade replacements for protein powder shakes to try123Hot PicksOperation SindoorVande Bharat Sleeper TrainJanuary Bank holidayGold rate todayIncome Tax RefundBahrain Golden Visa 2025Bank Holidays DecemberTop TrendingSan Francisco 49ersBrittany MahomesNoah Lyles and Junelle Bromfield Net WorthWayne Gretzky Daughter Net WorthSidney Crosby LifestyleLeBron James vs Stephen Curry Net WorthTom BradyLeBron James WifeCam ThomasCharlie Kirk

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

Tamil Nadu chief minister and DMK president MK Stalin (ANI) NEW DELHI: Tamil Nadu chief minister and DMK president MK Stalin on Saturday launched the party’s election manifesto portal 2026 at the party headquarters, Anna Arivalayam, in Chennai, marking the beginning of preparations for the upcoming assembly elections.Stalin introduced the official email ID, WhatsApp number…

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Mustafizur Rahman row: ‘Blaming Shah Rukh Khan is unfair’ – Ex-India cricketer slams outrage | Cricket News

Mustafizur Rahman row: ‘Blaming Shah Rukh Khan is unfair’ – Ex-India cricketer slams outrage | Cricket News

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

Shah Rukh Khan and Mustafizur Rahman (Agency Image) Former India cricketer Atul Wassan has weighed in on the growing controversy surrounding Kolkata Knight Riders and the release of Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman, saying the criticism directed at co-owner Shah Rukh Khan is misplaced and removing one player achieves little.The issue escalated after the Board of…

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Telangana Inter exams 2026: Parents to get hall ticket details on WhatsApp; check details here

Telangana Inter exams 2026: Parents to get hall ticket details on WhatsApp; check details here

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

The Telangana Board of Intermediate Education (TGBIE), Hyderabad, has announced a new step for the Intermediate Public Examinations 2026 to improve transparency and keep parents informed.According to the official notice, hall tickets for the Telangana Intermediate examinations will be sent to the registered mobile numbers of parents through WhatsApp. This has been introduced so that…

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‘Ikkis’ box office collection day 3 (Live): Agastya Nanda’s film aims for Rs 15 crore; BEATS ‘Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri’, but fails to surpass ‘Dhurandhar’

‘Ikkis’ box office collection day 3 (Live): Agastya Nanda’s film aims for Rs 15 crore; BEATS ‘Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri’, but fails to surpass ‘Dhurandhar’

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

Agastya Nanda, the grandson of Bollywood’s living legend Amitabh Bachchan, celebrated the New Year with the release of his debut film ‘Ikkis.’ The war drama, which also marks the debut of Akhshay Kumar’s niece Simar Bhatia, is the last movie Dharmendra starred in before his demise. Thus, the movie holds a special place in the…

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Dubai Police seize supercar over viral stunt video, driver fined AED10,000 | World News

Dubai Police seize supercar over viral stunt video, driver fined AED10,000 | World News

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

Dubai Police seized a supercar and fined its driver AED10,000 for viral reckless stunt video/Image: Dubai Police A supercar driver who thrilled social media with dangerous stunts across Dubai has faced swift action from authorities. The vehicle was seized, and the driver fined AED10,000 after video showing high-speed maneuvers, loud modifications, and public disturbance went…

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Representative AI image It’s easy to judge people who fell for scams. Many times, one simply thinks, “they should have known better”, label them foolish, naive, careless, or ignorant. After all, warnings are everywhere. Banks keep issuing alerts, digital platforms run awareness campaigns and news regularly reports on the latest frauds and cybercrimes.​Yet, when one looks more closely at how scams actually work, fraud is rarely the result of low intelligence or a lack of information. People who are cautious in one context can be disarmingly vulnerable in another. Those who pride themselves on scepticism can make impulsive decisions under pressure. The question, then, is not why people fail to “know better,” but why knowing better so often fails to protect them.The answer lies not in ignorance, but in psychology.​Scams succeed because they are engineered to move past rational judgement rather than confront it. Understanding the psychology behind fraud requires setting aside moral judgement and confronting an uncomfortable truth: vulnerability to scams is not an exception but a human trait. Frauds happen not because people are foolish, but because scammers exploit how people think, react, and cope under emotional stress.​Why even cautious people fall for scamsIf knowledge were a substitute for preventing fraud, scams would not be this pervasive. The fact is that some of the most articulate, tech-savvy, and financially educated individuals are duped into cash transfers, sharing credentials, or clicking links that under normal circumstances they never would have trusted.The reason is that scams do not challenge what people know; they manipulate how people feel and think.As Dr Radhika Goyal, PhD (Psychology), said, in her insights shared with TOI , “Scams work by bypassing rational thinking and triggering automatic emotional responses. Even highly educated or careful individuals rely on mental shortcuts in daily life to make quick decisions. Fraudsters design situations that feel urgent, personal, or threatening, pushing the brain into ‘survival mode’.”When this happens, the emotional brain (which reacts fast) overrides the logical brain (which analyses slowly). In that moment, intelligence offers little protection, because the scam is not engaging logic, it is exploiting trust, fear, or hope.”Dr Medha, Assistant Professor of Psychology at Patna Women’s College (Autonomous), Patna University, situated this vulnerability within a well-established psychological framework, as she talked to TOI.“Even cautious, intelligent, or well-educated individuals can fall victim to scams because fraudulent schemes exploit normal psychological processes rather than ignorance. From a psychological perspective, scams function by bypassing rational thinking and activating emotional and automatic responses” she said.She further explained this through Kahneman’s Dual-Process Theory. The psychological biases scammers exploitFraudsters do not rely on random manipulation. They repeatedly exploit predictable cognitive biases that guide human behaviour in legitimate social settings.These biases are not flaws, they are mental shortcuts that help people function efficiently in everyday life. By pretending to be, say, a bank representative, an authority from a government department, an important executive, and short-circuiting the time it takes to reach a decision, scammers tap into compliance ahead of skepticism and reasoning. This insight into behavior is vital, because it helps to re-understand fraud not just as trickery using clever telling, but at its root, an exploitation of psychology, using guilt, fear, and other trigger mechanisms.​​Dr Radhika Goyal identified several of the most commonly used psychological levers. Meanwhile, Dr Medha linked these tactics to foundational psychological theories. Authority-based scams, she notes, draw directly from research on obedience.“Scammers are effective because they take advantage of fundamental psychological theories that explain how humans perceive, decide, and behave in social contexts. These theories highlight that human decision-making is often guided by automatic, emotional, and socially conditioned processes rather than deliberate reasoning,” she said.Further elaborating on individual behaviour, she added, “Individuals have a strong tendency to comply with perceived authority figures. Scammers exploit this bias by impersonating officials such as bank representatives, police officers, or government agents. The presence of authority cues—formal language, uniforms, or official symbols—reduces resistance and critical questioning, leading individuals to comply even when requests are unreasonable. -This has been supported by Milgram’s theory of obedience.”Emotional manipulation, she added, is equally deliberate.“Strong emotions such as fear, hope, guilt, or affection activate the limbic system, which can overpower rational control mechanisms in the prefrontal cortex. Scammers intentionally evoke emotional reactions to impair logical evaluation and promote impulsive decisions,” the assistant professor added, citing Damasio’s Affective Decision-Making Theory.Scarcity is another powerful tool.Dr Medha explained how scammers can trigger “scarcity bias” to trap people. Citing Cialdini’s Persuasion theory, the professor explained, “Scarcity bias occurs when people assign greater value to opportunities perceived as limited.”Scammers exploit this by saying things such as- “Offer valid for 24 hours”, “Only a few slots left”. Another tactic that fraudsters use is “fear of missing out (FOMO)” which “shifts thinking from evaluation to action”, explained the professor.Emotional stress blinds peopleOne of the most troubling aspects of fraud is that victims often recognise warning signs, but only in hindsight. Emotional stress plays a key role in this temporary blindness.“Emotional stress narrows attention. When someone is anxious about money, scared of legal trouble, or feeling lonely, their brain prioritizes relief over verification,” said Dr Goyal.Further explaining the psychological mindset of the people under stress, she added, “Under stress, people focus on solving the immediate emotional discomfort — “How do I stop this problem right now?” — instead of asking critical questions.”Red flags may still be visible, but the brain temporarily ignores them because emotional safety feels more urgent than accuracy. This is why scams often target people during vulnerable moments — late at night, after a loss, or during financial uncertainty.Dr Radhika Goyal, PsychologistDr Medha described the same process at the neurological level:Emotional stress such as fear of loss, financial pressure, or loneliness activates the limbic system, particularly the amygdala, which prioritizes emotional survival responses over careful analysis.Dr Medha, Assistant Professor, PsychologyFurther talking about the stress factor, the professor said, “This heightened emotional arousal weakens the functioning of the prefrontal cortex, reducing logical reasoning, impulse control, and risk evaluation. As a result, individuals rely more on fast, intuitive processing rather than deliberate, analytical thinking, even when warning signs are present. Stress also narrows attention to emotionally relevant cues, causing people to overlook inconsistencies or red flags that would normally signal fraud. Consequently, the desire to quickly relieve emotional distress overrides caution, making individuals more vulnerable to deceptive tactics.”Why victims often stay silentEven after realizing that they’ve been swindled, victims often opt not to speak out. In most cases, this is not because they lack information or do not care, but due to complex factors involving psychological, social, as well as structural barriers that ultimately favor the fraudsters.Shame and self-blame are some of the deterrents. Victims often internalise responsibility, believing they were “careless” or “gullible,” despite scams being deliberately engineered to exploit normal human trust and authority cues. Admitting the fraud can feel like admitting a personal failure, particularly for educated or financially savvy individuals. Fear of judgement adds to the reluctance. Victims worry about how family members, employers, or peers will see them, especially when the loss involves large sums or repeated transactions. In a professional environment, disclosure may be seen as reputationally damaging, reinforcing the instinct to stay quiet.There is also a general feeling that nothing worthwhile will come out of reporting and that what has been lost is irretrievable. This perceived futility discourages reporting, even where formal channels exist.In this context, confusion and intimidation also prevail. Frauds involve tricks and mind games that include numerous platforms, jurisdictions, and phony identities. Victims often do not know to whom they need to report, what evidence will be required, or fear being dragged into long and stressful investigations. Some are even threatened bluntly by the scammers, further suppressing disclosure.Dr Goyal pointed to shame as a central barrier. “Shame is a major barrier. Victims often blame themselves, thinking, ‘I should have known better.’ This self-blame is intensified by social stigma that equates being scammed with being foolish.”Talking about the feeling of shame leads to isolation, she added, “Fraudsters deliberately reinforce this shame, telling victims to keep the matter confidential or warning them they will ‘get into trouble’ if they speak up. Unfortunately, silence protects the scammer and isolates the victim further. Psychologically, it is easier to stay quiet than to confront embarrassment — even when reporting could prevent harm to others.”Meanwhile, Dr Medha explained that self-blame is deeply tied to identity. “Victims often internalize the fraud as a personal failure, believing they should have been more careful, which leads to self-blame rather than attributing responsibility to the scammer. Shame triggers avoidance behavior, causing individuals to hide the experience to protect their self-image and social identity.”“Additionally, cognitive dissonance makes it emotionally uncomfortable to admit having been deceived, especially for educated or competent individuals. Together, shame, damaged self-esteem, and fear of stigma significantly reduce the likelihood of reporting scams, despite the importance of doing so,” she added.Breaking the psychological gripAs scams operate at the emotional, mental level, resisting them requires psychological interruption. In general, fraud succeeds not because the victims are uninformed, but rather because jacked-up emotions temporarily displace rational judgment. Scammers create a situation that instills urgency, fear, or excitement, forcing fast decisions, narrowing attention, and suppressing doubt. In such a state, one may even fail to notice flagrant red flags. The best counter remains pause: slowing down, stepping away from the communication, or delaying any action, which breaks the emotional momentum on which scams depend.A second opinion is equally important. Bringing in a trusted third party reintroduces perspective and exposes inconsistencies that are hard to see under pressure. In practice, the strongest defences against fraud are behavioural — time, distance, and verification — rather than just knowledge.Dr Goyal emphasised on simple but effective pauses. Meanwhile, Dr Medha framed resistance as “mind over manipulation.””Using Mind Over Manipulation — Scams succeed when emotion outruns reasoning. Breaking a scam requires slowing down emotion, widening perspective, and re-activating rational control,” she said.She outlined concrete steps: A human vulnerability, not a personal failureThe main point to understand in this is that fraud thrives in the space between emotion and reason. It succeeds, not because people lack intelligence, but because they are humans; capable of fear, hope, trust, and urgency. Con artists structure their approach based on these universal characteristics, taking advantage of the instances where the responses are instinctual, meaning where a reaction exceeds the boundaries of logical processing.The susceptibility to a scam is not an anomaly but a side effect of human instincts in pressing circumstances. Recognising this distinction is critical. It shifts the narrative away from personal failure and towards systemic manipulation. When victims understand that they were targeted through deliberate psychological engineering, shame loses its power and reporting becomes more likely. This, in turn, improves visibility into how fraud networks operate and where safeguards fail.The more society moves away from blaming victims and towards understanding the psychology of manipulation, the harder it becomes for fraudsters to win. Awareness framed around human vulnerability encourages openness, earlier intervention, and collective defence; thus, weakening the conditions that allow scams to spread unchecked.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Slavery Destroys Heritage’: PM Modi’s Big Message After Unveiling Sacred Buddha Piprahwa RelicsBCCI Asks KKR To Release Bangladesh Player From IPL After Outrage Over Attacks On Hindu MinoritiesGovt Sends Notice To Elon Musk’s X On Grok AI Chatbot Misuse, IT Ministry Seeks Action ReportUttarakhand Minister’s Husband Sparks Outrage With ‘Bihar Girls’ Remark, Congress Hits Out At BJPPakistan Backs China’s Claim That It Mediated In Conflict With IndiaShankh Air Founder Speaks Out As Airline Eyes March Launch, Targets Intl Flights By 2029’Their Islamist Ideas…’: Ex-Bangladesh Minister Hits Out Over Attacks on Hindus And Christians’Very Petty & Shameful’: Shashi Tharoor On Row Over KKR Selecting Bangladeshi Player In IPLINLD President Calls For Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal Type Uprising In India Politics, Triggers RowBJP Claims Rahul Gandhi Ties To ‘Anti-India’ Panel Over US Lawmakers’ Umar Khalid Letter123PhotostoriesWhy some teens can’t get along with their parents: Sadhguru explains the real reason for the clash10 Indo-Chinese dishes to keep you warm during winter seasonJanuary 3, 2026 Full Moon: Powerful Affirmations For Your Birth DateNutrition fact of the day: Spinach doesn’t supply usable iron unless paired with vitamin CWhy toddlers feel big emotions in small situationsRelief for Bengaluru commuters: Kamaraj Road Fully Open After 6 YearsBengaluru: Nexus Mall prioritises expectant mothers with new ‘pink parking’ facilityHow to make Chicken Biryani in a Kadhai at home3 homemade replacements for protein powder shakes to tryBaby names meaning home, family, and togetherness123Hot PicksOperation SindoorVande Bharat Sleeper TrainJanuary Bank holidayGold rate todayIncome Tax RefundBahrain Golden Visa 2025Bank Holidays DecemberTop TrendingSan Francisco 49ersBrittany MahomesNoah Lyles and Junelle Bromfield Net WorthWayne Gretzky Daughter Net WorthSidney Crosby LifestyleLeBron James vs Stephen Curry Net WorthTom BradyLeBron James WifeCam ThomasCharlie Kirk

Representative AI image It’s easy to judge people who fell for scams. Many times, one simply thinks, “they should have known better”, label them foolish, naive, careless, or ignorant. After all, warnings are everywhere. Banks keep issuing alerts, digital platforms run awareness campaigns and news regularly reports on the latest frauds and cybercrimes.​Yet, when one looks more closely at how scams actually work, fraud is rarely the result of low intelligence or a lack of information. People who are cautious in one context can be disarmingly vulnerable in another. Those who pride themselves on scepticism can make impulsive decisions under pressure. The question, then, is not why people fail to “know better,” but why knowing better so often fails to protect them.The answer lies not in ignorance, but in psychology.​Scams succeed because they are engineered to move past rational judgement rather than confront it. Understanding the psychology behind fraud requires setting aside moral judgement and confronting an uncomfortable truth: vulnerability to scams is not an exception but a human trait. Frauds happen not because people are foolish, but because scammers exploit how people think, react, and cope under emotional stress.​Why even cautious people fall for scamsIf knowledge were a substitute for preventing fraud, scams would not be this pervasive. The fact is that some of the most articulate, tech-savvy, and financially educated individuals are duped into cash transfers, sharing credentials, or clicking links that under normal circumstances they never would have trusted.The reason is that scams do not challenge what people know; they manipulate how people feel and think.As Dr Radhika Goyal, PhD (Psychology), said, in her insights shared with TOI , “Scams work by bypassing rational thinking and triggering automatic emotional responses. Even highly educated or careful individuals rely on mental shortcuts in daily life to make quick decisions. Fraudsters design situations that feel urgent, personal, or threatening, pushing the brain into ‘survival mode’.”When this happens, the emotional brain (which reacts fast) overrides the logical brain (which analyses slowly). In that moment, intelligence offers little protection, because the scam is not engaging logic, it is exploiting trust, fear, or hope.”Dr Medha, Assistant Professor of Psychology at Patna Women’s College (Autonomous), Patna University, situated this vulnerability within a well-established psychological framework, as she talked to TOI.“Even cautious, intelligent, or well-educated individuals can fall victim to scams because fraudulent schemes exploit normal psychological processes rather than ignorance. From a psychological perspective, scams function by bypassing rational thinking and activating emotional and automatic responses” she said.She further explained this through Kahneman’s Dual-Process Theory. The psychological biases scammers exploitFraudsters do not rely on random manipulation. They repeatedly exploit predictable cognitive biases that guide human behaviour in legitimate social settings.These biases are not flaws, they are mental shortcuts that help people function efficiently in everyday life. By pretending to be, say, a bank representative, an authority from a government department, an important executive, and short-circuiting the time it takes to reach a decision, scammers tap into compliance ahead of skepticism and reasoning. This insight into behavior is vital, because it helps to re-understand fraud not just as trickery using clever telling, but at its root, an exploitation of psychology, using guilt, fear, and other trigger mechanisms.​​Dr Radhika Goyal identified several of the most commonly used psychological levers. Meanwhile, Dr Medha linked these tactics to foundational psychological theories. Authority-based scams, she notes, draw directly from research on obedience.“Scammers are effective because they take advantage of fundamental psychological theories that explain how humans perceive, decide, and behave in social contexts. These theories highlight that human decision-making is often guided by automatic, emotional, and socially conditioned processes rather than deliberate reasoning,” she said.Further elaborating on individual behaviour, she added, “Individuals have a strong tendency to comply with perceived authority figures. Scammers exploit this bias by impersonating officials such as bank representatives, police officers, or government agents. The presence of authority cues—formal language, uniforms, or official symbols—reduces resistance and critical questioning, leading individuals to comply even when requests are unreasonable. -This has been supported by Milgram’s theory of obedience.”Emotional manipulation, she added, is equally deliberate.“Strong emotions such as fear, hope, guilt, or affection activate the limbic system, which can overpower rational control mechanisms in the prefrontal cortex. Scammers intentionally evoke emotional reactions to impair logical evaluation and promote impulsive decisions,” the assistant professor added, citing Damasio’s Affective Decision-Making Theory.Scarcity is another powerful tool.Dr Medha explained how scammers can trigger “scarcity bias” to trap people. Citing Cialdini’s Persuasion theory, the professor explained, “Scarcity bias occurs when people assign greater value to opportunities perceived as limited.”Scammers exploit this by saying things such as- “Offer valid for 24 hours”, “Only a few slots left”. Another tactic that fraudsters use is “fear of missing out (FOMO)” which “shifts thinking from evaluation to action”, explained the professor.Emotional stress blinds peopleOne of the most troubling aspects of fraud is that victims often recognise warning signs, but only in hindsight. Emotional stress plays a key role in this temporary blindness.“Emotional stress narrows attention. When someone is anxious about money, scared of legal trouble, or feeling lonely, their brain prioritizes relief over verification,” said Dr Goyal.Further explaining the psychological mindset of the people under stress, she added, “Under stress, people focus on solving the immediate emotional discomfort — “How do I stop this problem right now?” — instead of asking critical questions.”Red flags may still be visible, but the brain temporarily ignores them because emotional safety feels more urgent than accuracy. This is why scams often target people during vulnerable moments — late at night, after a loss, or during financial uncertainty.Dr Radhika Goyal, PsychologistDr Medha described the same process at the neurological level:Emotional stress such as fear of loss, financial pressure, or loneliness activates the limbic system, particularly the amygdala, which prioritizes emotional survival responses over careful analysis.Dr Medha, Assistant Professor, PsychologyFurther talking about the stress factor, the professor said, “This heightened emotional arousal weakens the functioning of the prefrontal cortex, reducing logical reasoning, impulse control, and risk evaluation. As a result, individuals rely more on fast, intuitive processing rather than deliberate, analytical thinking, even when warning signs are present. Stress also narrows attention to emotionally relevant cues, causing people to overlook inconsistencies or red flags that would normally signal fraud. Consequently, the desire to quickly relieve emotional distress overrides caution, making individuals more vulnerable to deceptive tactics.”Why victims often stay silentEven after realizing that they’ve been swindled, victims often opt not to speak out. In most cases, this is not because they lack information or do not care, but due to complex factors involving psychological, social, as well as structural barriers that ultimately favor the fraudsters.Shame and self-blame are some of the deterrents. Victims often internalise responsibility, believing they were “careless” or “gullible,” despite scams being deliberately engineered to exploit normal human trust and authority cues. Admitting the fraud can feel like admitting a personal failure, particularly for educated or financially savvy individuals. Fear of judgement adds to the reluctance. Victims worry about how family members, employers, or peers will see them, especially when the loss involves large sums or repeated transactions. In a professional environment, disclosure may be seen as reputationally damaging, reinforcing the instinct to stay quiet.There is also a general feeling that nothing worthwhile will come out of reporting and that what has been lost is irretrievable. This perceived futility discourages reporting, even where formal channels exist.In this context, confusion and intimidation also prevail. Frauds involve tricks and mind games that include numerous platforms, jurisdictions, and phony identities. Victims often do not know to whom they need to report, what evidence will be required, or fear being dragged into long and stressful investigations. Some are even threatened bluntly by the scammers, further suppressing disclosure.Dr Goyal pointed to shame as a central barrier. “Shame is a major barrier. Victims often blame themselves, thinking, ‘I should have known better.’ This self-blame is intensified by social stigma that equates being scammed with being foolish.”Talking about the feeling of shame leads to isolation, she added, “Fraudsters deliberately reinforce this shame, telling victims to keep the matter confidential or warning them they will ‘get into trouble’ if they speak up. Unfortunately, silence protects the scammer and isolates the victim further. Psychologically, it is easier to stay quiet than to confront embarrassment — even when reporting could prevent harm to others.”Meanwhile, Dr Medha explained that self-blame is deeply tied to identity. “Victims often internalize the fraud as a personal failure, believing they should have been more careful, which leads to self-blame rather than attributing responsibility to the scammer. Shame triggers avoidance behavior, causing individuals to hide the experience to protect their self-image and social identity.”“Additionally, cognitive dissonance makes it emotionally uncomfortable to admit having been deceived, especially for educated or competent individuals. Together, shame, damaged self-esteem, and fear of stigma significantly reduce the likelihood of reporting scams, despite the importance of doing so,” she added.Breaking the psychological gripAs scams operate at the emotional, mental level, resisting them requires psychological interruption. In general, fraud succeeds not because the victims are uninformed, but rather because jacked-up emotions temporarily displace rational judgment. Scammers create a situation that instills urgency, fear, or excitement, forcing fast decisions, narrowing attention, and suppressing doubt. In such a state, one may even fail to notice flagrant red flags. The best counter remains pause: slowing down, stepping away from the communication, or delaying any action, which breaks the emotional momentum on which scams depend.A second opinion is equally important. Bringing in a trusted third party reintroduces perspective and exposes inconsistencies that are hard to see under pressure. In practice, the strongest defences against fraud are behavioural — time, distance, and verification — rather than just knowledge.Dr Goyal emphasised on simple but effective pauses. Meanwhile, Dr Medha framed resistance as “mind over manipulation.””Using Mind Over Manipulation — Scams succeed when emotion outruns reasoning. Breaking a scam requires slowing down emotion, widening perspective, and re-activating rational control,” she said.She outlined concrete steps: A human vulnerability, not a personal failureThe main point to understand in this is that fraud thrives in the space between emotion and reason. It succeeds, not because people lack intelligence, but because they are humans; capable of fear, hope, trust, and urgency. Con artists structure their approach based on these universal characteristics, taking advantage of the instances where the responses are instinctual, meaning where a reaction exceeds the boundaries of logical processing.The susceptibility to a scam is not an anomaly but a side effect of human instincts in pressing circumstances. Recognising this distinction is critical. It shifts the narrative away from personal failure and towards systemic manipulation. When victims understand that they were targeted through deliberate psychological engineering, shame loses its power and reporting becomes more likely. This, in turn, improves visibility into how fraud networks operate and where safeguards fail.The more society moves away from blaming victims and towards understanding the psychology of manipulation, the harder it becomes for fraudsters to win. Awareness framed around human vulnerability encourages openness, earlier intervention, and collective defence; thus, weakening the conditions that allow scams to spread unchecked.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Slavery Destroys Heritage’: PM Modi’s Big Message After Unveiling Sacred Buddha Piprahwa RelicsBCCI Asks KKR To Release Bangladesh Player From IPL After Outrage Over Attacks On Hindu MinoritiesGovt Sends Notice To Elon Musk’s X On Grok AI Chatbot Misuse, IT Ministry Seeks Action ReportUttarakhand Minister’s Husband Sparks Outrage With ‘Bihar Girls’ Remark, Congress Hits Out At BJPPakistan Backs China’s Claim That It Mediated In Conflict With IndiaShankh Air Founder Speaks Out As Airline Eyes March Launch, Targets Intl Flights By 2029’Their Islamist Ideas…’: Ex-Bangladesh Minister Hits Out Over Attacks on Hindus And Christians’Very Petty & Shameful’: Shashi Tharoor On Row Over KKR Selecting Bangladeshi Player In IPLINLD President Calls For Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal Type Uprising In India Politics, Triggers RowBJP Claims Rahul Gandhi Ties To ‘Anti-India’ Panel Over US Lawmakers’ Umar Khalid Letter123PhotostoriesWhy some teens can’t get along with their parents: Sadhguru explains the real reason for the clash10 Indo-Chinese dishes to keep you warm during winter seasonJanuary 3, 2026 Full Moon: Powerful Affirmations For Your Birth DateNutrition fact of the day: Spinach doesn’t supply usable iron unless paired with vitamin CWhy toddlers feel big emotions in small situationsRelief for Bengaluru commuters: Kamaraj Road Fully Open After 6 YearsBengaluru: Nexus Mall prioritises expectant mothers with new ‘pink parking’ facilityHow to make Chicken Biryani in a Kadhai at home3 homemade replacements for protein powder shakes to tryBaby names meaning home, family, and togetherness123Hot PicksOperation SindoorVande Bharat Sleeper TrainJanuary Bank holidayGold rate todayIncome Tax RefundBahrain Golden Visa 2025Bank Holidays DecemberTop TrendingSan Francisco 49ersBrittany MahomesNoah Lyles and Junelle Bromfield Net WorthWayne Gretzky Daughter Net WorthSidney Crosby LifestyleLeBron James vs Stephen Curry Net WorthTom BradyLeBron James WifeCam ThomasCharlie Kirk

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