Fraud's new face: teens, tiktok, and a generation learning the hustle

They’re not shadowy figures in trench coats; they're students, scrolling through TikTok, fluent in the language of cybercrime. Investigative journalist Kaf Okpattah’s new book, Scam Nation, pulls back the curtain on a disturbing reality: a generation being groomed in the art of online fraud, and the casual way it’s discussed among peers.

Decoding the dark web’s lexicon

Okpattah, now an ITN reporter, grew up immersed in this world. He details a chilling education in the jargon of scams – “squares” for bank cards, “fullz” for a person’s complete financial details, and “addy” for a fraudulent shipping address. These aren't obscure terms; they're casually exchanged on social media, often undetected by teachers and parents. The normalization of this language is the first red flag, Okpattah argues, a silent epidemic spreading through schools and universities.

But it’s not just about knowing the words. It’s about the motivations. Okpattah highlights a disturbing trend: young people, often driven by a desire for status and validation, flaunting their ill-gotten gains on social media. He describes a scammer, dubbed the “Kim Kardashian of fraud,” amassing a following of 150,000 by showcasing their exploits on an electric scooter. The allure of easy money, especially for those struggling financially, is a powerful draw, particularly for students who may see it as a victimless crime, assuming banks will simply reimburse losses.

The recruitment process is particularly insidious. Okpattah reveals that recruiters, often fellow students, target vulnerable young people, offering cash for the use of their bank accounts – essentially turning them into unwitting mules. He estimates that in any given university year group, around 50 students are actively involved in this recruitment network, pulling in details to be used further up the chain.

What’s perhaps most unsettling is the lack of discretion. The desire to “check me out, I’m being cool,” as Okpattah puts it, overrides any sense of caution or consequence. The constant stream of flashy items and cash flaunted online creates a dangerous echo chamber, particularly for teenagers susceptible to peer pressure and the promise of instant gratification.

Parents, understandably, are left wondering what to look for. While