Well, stalking through monitoring someone's online habits is quite common. The stalker might observe when the victim is most active online, what websites they visit, and then use this information to either scare them or try to manipulate them. There are also cases where the stalker creates a false sense of intimacy with the victim by constantly messaging them as if they know them well, when in fact they are a complete stranger. This can be really unnerving and lead to a lot of psychological distress for the victim.
The most common type is probably the cyber - harassment in which the stalker targets the victim's social media accounts. They might post mean comments, spread false information, or try to isolate the victim from their friends online. For example, I know someone whose pictures were stolen by a stalker and then used in a really inappropriate and defaming way on various websites. It was a horrible situation for her. Also, stalking for financial gain is not uncommon. The stalker may try to access the victim's bank details or trick them into giving away money through phishing scams.
One common type is social media stalking. People might follow every post, like, and comment on a victim's account in an obsessive way. Another is email stalking, where unwanted and often threatening emails are sent repeatedly. Also, there's location - based stalking through apps that might accidentally expose someone's whereabouts, and the stalker uses that information to track their movements.
One common type is the obsessive ex - lover. They can't let go and start following their former partner everywhere. Another is the stranger who becomes fixated on someone they see randomly, like at a coffee shop or on the street. And then there's the cyber - stalking, where the stalker uses the internet to track the victim's every move, through social media and other online platforms.
One common type is catfishing, like I mentioned before, where people use fake pictures or identities. Another is when the person turns out to be really mean or aggressive in person. Also, some people lie about their relationship status, which can lead to a lot of problems.
There was a case where a man was being stalked online. The stalker created multiple fake accounts to follow his every move on different platforms. They would comment on his posts with really disturbing messages. This made the man extremely paranoid and he had to limit his online presence and even change his job as the stalker seemed to know his workplace details too. It was a nightmare for him.
There are cases where customers accidentally transfer money to the wrong account. It could be a typing error or confusion with similar account numbers. And then there are problems with the bank's security measures not being up to date. This makes it easier for cyber - criminals to target the bank's customers. For instance, if the bank doesn't have proper encryption, hackers can intercept the data during transactions.
Identity theft through online means is another typical online fraud story. Hackers can steal personal information from unsecured websites or by using malware. Once they have your identity, they can open accounts in your name, make purchases, or even get loans, leaving you with a financial mess to clean up.
The most common is probably phishing. Scammers try to trick you into giving personal information like passwords or credit card numbers. Then there are romance scams where people pretend to be in love to get money from their victims. And also lottery scams, where you're told you've won a large sum but need to pay a fee to claim it.
I think the most common ones are those that start on online forums. For example, on a travel forum, two travelers might exchange tips about a particular destination. They get more and more interested in each other's travel experiences and plan to meet during their next trips. And then there are those from online gaming communities. Gamers often form teams and get to know each other well while playing, and some may decide to meet offline for more gaming sessions or just to hang out.
One common type is the bank - related phishing. Hackers send emails or messages that seem to be from banks, asking for login details. Another is the fake invoice phishing, like I mentioned before for the small business. Also, there are those that target individuals through social media with offers that are too good to be true.
There are also horror stories related to malicious links in chats. People click on links sent by others thinking it's something harmless, like a game or a funny video. But in reality, the link contains malware that can steal data, corrupt devices, or even give the attacker access to the user's webcam and microphone without their knowledge. It's really a nightmare for those who experience it.