Bots: Invisible Manipulators
​In 2020, researchers uncovered a shocking fact: on the popular American news channel CNN, over 60% of the comments on its social media pages were posted by bots.
Think bots are just harmless programs crawling the internet, doing simple tasks? Think again. Modern bots can not only execute commands but also make decisions. They analyze user behavior, choose optimal ways to interact, and adapt to situations in real-time.
Why Are Bots Dangerous?
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Modern bots are more than just automated scripts. They mimic real human behavior: leaving comments, replying to messages, and even sending "friendly" recommendations. Here's what makes them a serious threat:
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Stealing money through subscriptions: Bots often use social engineering (manipulation tactics designed to trick people into certain actions) to lure users into subscribing to paid services or sharing their banking details.
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Disguising themselves as real users: Bots appear just like ordinary people – complete with profile pictures, a posting history, and even conversations that seem natural.
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Scale and speed: A single bot can reach thousands of people in minutes, sending messages as effectively as dozens of real users.
How Are Bots Different from Other Scams?
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Automation and intelligence: Unlike traditional scammers who interact manually, bots operate autonomously and can adapt to their target's behavior.
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Cross-platform reach: A single bot can simultaneously engage users on Instagram, Facebook, Telegram, and other platforms.
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Difficult to detect: Many bots create the illusion of real human interaction, lowering a victim's suspicion.
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Who Were the First Victims, and How Were Bots Discovered?
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One of the first high-profile cases occurred in 2018 when JPMorgan Chase lost approximately $10 million due to a large-scale bot scheme. The program created fake accounts, signed them up for banking services, and exploited bonuses meant for new clients. Real users started reporting that their data had been used without consent, which led to the discovery of the bot network.
Another common scheme involves bots "subscribing" people to paid services. For example, a user might receive a message about a special offer, click the link, and unknowingly agree to a recurring monthly fee.