A Meta-synthesis Study of Telecommunication Fraud in the Elderly and Design Intervention Path for Anti-fraud and Fraud Prevention

GU Li, WANG Chuyan, GAO Xun

Packaging Engineering ›› 2026, Vol. 47 ›› Issue (4) : 363-372.

PDF(555 KB)
PDF(555 KB)
Packaging Engineering ›› 2026, Vol. 47 ›› Issue (4) : 363-372. DOI: 10.19554/j.cnki.1001-3563.2026.04.031
Design Discussion

A Meta-synthesis Study of Telecommunication Fraud in the Elderly and Design Intervention Path for Anti-fraud and Fraud Prevention

  • GU Li, WANG Chuyan, GAO Xun*
Author information +
History +

Abstract

The work aims to systematically sort out and thoroughly review the current research status of telecommunication fraud in the elderly, explore the mechanism of fraud, influencing factors and anti-fraud prevention in the elderly, and analyze and design the practical paths to empower the elderly in anti-fraud prevention. A theory-generation meta-synthesis method was used to systematically sort out and summarize 76 Chinese and English literature, presenting five core research areas: the attribute characteristics of the defrauded, the process of persuasion, the characteristics of the defrauder, the construction of telecommunication fraud prevention models, and the validation of the effectiveness of anti-fraud interventions. This study focused on analyzing the research progress and logical connection of telecommunication fraud among the elderly, constructing a basic research framework, and deriving a path for design to empower anti-fraud and fraud prevention for the elderly. In conclusion, the current research progress focuses on the study of the elderly being defrauded. Although the research all refers to providing theoretical support and revelations for anti-fraud and fraud prevention practices, there is weak correlation between the study of being defrauded and anti-fraud and fraud prevention practices. Design paths and strategies are proposed to empower anti-fraud advocacy practices to guard the elderly's property security and mental health and to contribute to positive aging.

Key words

anti-fraud and fraud prevention / the elderly / mechanism of fraud / positive aging

Cite this article

Download Citations
GU Li, WANG Chuyan, GAO Xun. A Meta-synthesis Study of Telecommunication Fraud in the Elderly and Design Intervention Path for Anti-fraud and Fraud Prevention[J]. Packaging Engineering. 2026, 47(4): 363-372 https://doi.org/10.19554/j.cnki.1001-3563.2026.04.031

References

[1] CARCACH C, GRAYCAR A, MUSCAT G.The victimisation of older Australians[M]// Trends & issues in crime and criminal justice. Canberra: Australian Institute of Criminology, 2001.
[2] HOLTFRETER K, REISIG M, PRATT T, et al.Risky remote purchasing and identity theft victimization among older Internet users[J]. Psychology Crime & Law, 2015, 21(7): 681-698.
[3] 中国信息通信研究院安全研究所. 新形势下电信网络诈骗治理研究报告[R/OL]. (2020-12)[2026-02-01]. http://www.caict.ac.cn/kxyj/qwfb/ztbg/202012/t20201218_366375.htm.
Security Research Institute of China Academy of Information and Communication Research. Research Report on the Governance of Telecommunication Network Fraud in the New Situation[R/OL]. (2020-12) [2026-02-01]. http://www.caict.ac.cn/kxyj/qwfb/ztbg/202012/t20201218_366375.htm.
[4] SHAO J, ZHANG Q, REN Y, et al.Why are older adults victims of fraud? Current knowledge and prospects regarding older adults' vulnerability to fraud[J]. Journal of Elder Abuse & Neglect, 2019, 31(3): 225-243.
[5] FINFGELD-CONNETT D.A Guide to Qualitative Meta-synthesis[M]. London: Routledge, 2018.
[6] GAUSS L, LACERDA D P, CAUCHICK MIGUEL P A. Module-based product family design: systematic literature review and meta-synthesis[J]. Journal of Intelligent Manufacturing, 2021, 32(1): 265-312.
[7] 孙晓宁, 景雨田, 赵宇翔, 等. 社交机器人的适老化设计:动因、实践与未来展望[J]. 情报理论与实践, 2024, 47(6): 1-16.
SUN X N, JING Y T, ZHAO Y X, ZHU, et al. Review of Social Robots for Aging-friendly Design[J]. Information Studies: Theory & Application, 2024, 47(6): 1-16.
[8] FRIESTAD M, WRIGHT P.The Persuasion Knowledge Model: How People Cope with Persuasion Attempts[J]. Journal of Consumer Research, 1994, 21(1): 1-31.
[9] DELIEMA M, YON Y, WILBER K H.Tricks of the Trade: Motivating Sales Agents to Con Older Adults[J]. The Gerontologist, 2016, 56(2): 335-344.
[10] 耿悦曦, 柯青. 健康焦虑人群信息行为特征、影响因素和互作用机制之元综合研究[J]. 情报理论与实践, 2021, 44(11): 150-159.
GENG Y X, KE Q.A Meta-synthesis Study on Information Behavior Features, Influencing Factors and Interplay Mechanism of Health Anxiety Group[J]. Information Studies: Theory & Application, 2021, 44(11): 150-159.
[11] WOOD S, HENGERER D, HANOCH Y, et al.Why comply? Risk and efficacy perceptions drive compliance in mass marketing scams[J]. Journal of Elder Abuse & Neglect, 2023, 35(1): 1-33.
[12] ROSS M, GROSSMANN I, SCHRYER E.Contrary to Psychological and Popular Opinion, There Is No Compelling Evidence That Older Adults Are Disproportionately Victimized by Consumer Fraud[J]. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 2014, 9(4): 427-442.
[13] TOOMEY J.The Age of Fraud[J]. Harvard Journal on Legislation, 2023, 60(1): 30-42.
[14] KEMP S, ERADES PÉREZ N. Consumer Fraud against Older Adults in Digital Society: Examining Victimization and Its Impact[J]. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2023, 20(7): 5404.
[15] GUNDERSON C, TEN BRINKE L.The Connection Between Deception Detection and Financial Exploitation of Older (vs. Young) Adults[J]. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 2022, 41(4): 940-944.
[16] LIN T, CAPECCI D E, ELLIS D M, et al.Susceptibility to Spear-Phishing Emails: Effects of Internet User Demographics and Email Content[J]. ACM Transactions on Computer-Human Interaction, 2019, 26(5): 1-28.
[17] LAMAR M, YU L, LEURGANS S, et al.Self-reported fraud victimization and objectively measured blood pressure: Sex differences in post-fraud cardiovascular health[J]. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 2022, 70(11): 3185-3194.
[18] WANG X, MA J, LIANG Y, et al.The association between experiences of being defrauded and depressive symptoms of middle-aged and elderly people: a cross-sectional study in China[J]. Public Health, 2023(216): 51-57.
[19] UENO D, DAIKU Y, EGUCHI Y, et al.Mild Cognitive Decline Is a Risk Factor for Scam Vulnerability in Older Adults[J]. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 2021(12): 685451.
[20] UENO D, ARAKAWA M, FUJII Y, et al.Psychosocial characteristics of victims of special fraud among Japanese older adults: A cross-sectional study using scam vulnerability scale[J]. Frontiers in Psychology, 2022(13): 960442.
[21] WEISSBERGER G H, LIM A C, MOSQUEDA L, et al.Subjective Age Moderates the Relationship Between Global Cognition and Susceptibility to Scams[J]. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 2024, 43(8): 1033-1041.
[22] GRILLI M, MCVEIGH K, HAKIM Z, et al.Is This Phishing? Older Age Is Associated With Greater Difficulty Discriminating Between Safe and Malicious Emails[J]. Journals of Gerontology Series B-Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 2021, 76(9): 1711-1715.
[23] LICHTENBERG P, STICKNEY L, PAULSON D.Is Psychological Vulnerability Related to the Experience of Fraud in Older Adults?[J]. Clinical Gerontologist, 2013, 36(2): 132-146.
[24] FAN J, YU Z.Understanding aging and consumer fraud victimization in the Chinese context: A two-stage conceptual approach[J]. Journal of Elder Abuse & Neglect, 2021, 33(3): 230-247.
[25] ZHANG C, LIU L, ZHOU S, et al.Contact-Fraud Victimization among Urban Seniors: An Analysis of Multilevel Influencing Factors[J]. ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information, 2022, 11(3): 30-40.
[26] MAO X, LIU Y.Relationship Between Socioeconomic Conditions and Financial Fraud Victimization Among Older Adults in China: Do Financial Literacy and Financial Attitudes Matter?[J]. Research on Aging, 2023, 45(7-8): 503-516.
[27] HAN S D, BARNES L L, LEURGANS S, et al.Susceptibility to Scams in Older Black and White Adults[J]. Frontiers in Psychology, 2021(12): 685258.
[28] LICHTENBERG P, SUGARMAN M, PAULSON D, et al.Psychological and Functional Vulnerability Predicts Fraud Cases in Older Adults: Results of a Longitudinal Study[J]. Clinical Gerontologist, 2016, 39(1): 48-63.
[29] YU L, MOTTOLA G, BARNES L, et al.Financial fragility and scam susceptibility in community dwelling older adults[J]. Journal of Elder Abuse & Neglect, 2022, 34(2): 93-108.
[30] O'CONNOR A, JUDGES R, LEE K, et al. Can adults discriminate between fraudulent and legitimate e-mails? Examining the role of age and prior fraud experience[J]. Journal of Elder Abuse & Neglect, 2021, 33(3): 181-205.
[31] 丁志宏, 王伟成, 张栋. 金融素养过度自信对城镇老人金融受骗的影响机制研究[J]. 兰州学刊, 2024(1): 104-115.
DING Z H, WANG W C, ZHANG D.Research on the Impact Mechanism of Financial Literacy Overconfidence on Financial Fraud of Urban Elderly[J]. Lan Zhou Xue Kan, 2024(1): 104-115.
[32] LI J, WONG G, MANNING M, et al.Financial Fraud against Older People in Hong Kong: Assessing and Predicting the Fear and Perceived Risk of Victimization[J]. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2022, 19(3): 40-52.
[33] MUELLER E, WOOD S, HANOCH Y, et al.Older and wiser: age differences in susceptibility to investment fraud: the protective role of emotional intelligence[J]. Journal of Elder Abuse & Neglect, 2020, 32(2): 152-172.
[34] SHAO J, DU W, LIN T, et al.Credulity rather than general trust may increase vulnerability to fraud in older adults: a moderated mediation model[J]. Journal of Elder Abuse & Neglect, 2019, 31(2): 146-162.
[35] REIBOLDT W, VOGEL R E.A Critical Analysis of Telemarketing Fraud in a Gated Senior Community[J]. Journal of Elder Abuse & Neglect, 2001, 13(4): 21-38.
[36] WEN J, YANG H, ZHANG Q, et al.Understanding the mechanisms underlying the effects of loneliness on vulnerability to fraud among older adults[J]. Journal of Elder Abuse & Neglect, 2022, 34(1): 1-19.
[37] LIAO S, WANG X, ZHANG X.Loneliness could lead to risk of fraud victimization for middle-aged and older adults[J]. Journal of Elder Abuse & Neglect, 2024, 36(5): 508-527.
[38] ALVES L M, WILSON S R.The Effects of Loneliness on Telemarketing Fraud Vulnerability Among Older Adults[J]. Journal of Elder Abuse & Neglect, 2008, 20(1): 63-85.
[39] SHAO J, YANG H, LEI X, et al.The Shackles of Fear: A Moderated Mediation Model of How Fear of Aging May Increase Older Adults' Vulnerability to Fraud[J]. Clinical Gerontologist, 2021, 44(5): 567-576.
[40] CHEN Z, WEN J, GOU C, et al.Death anxiety and older adults' vulnerability to fraud: the mediating role of materialism[J]. Journal of Elder Abuse & Neglect, 2024, 36(3): 291-309.
[41] XING T, SUN F, WANG K, et al.Vulnerability to fraud among Chinese older adults: do personality traits and loneliness matter?[J]. Journal of Elder Abuse & Neglect, 2020, 32(1): 46-59.
[42] HAN S D, BOYLE P A, JAMES B D, et al.Mild Cognitive Impairment and Susceptibility to Scams in Old Age[J]. Journal of Alzheimers Disease, 2016, 49(3): 845-851.
[43] GLOVER C, YU L, STEWART C, et al.Childhood socioeconomic status interacts with cognitive function to impact scam susceptibility among community-dwelling older adults[J]. Aging & Mental Health, 2023, 27(4): 765-770.
[44] EBNER N, ELLIS D, LIN T, et al.Uncovering Susceptibility Risk to Online Deception in Aging[J]. Journals of Gerontology Series B-Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 2020, 75(3): 522-533.
[45] KOESTNER B, HEDGCOCK W, HALFMANN K, et al.The Role of the Ventromedial Prefrontal Cortex in Purchase Intent Among Older Adults[J]. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 2016(8): 42-54.
[46] DENBURG N L, COLE C A, HERNANDEZ M, et al.The Orbitofrontal Cortex, Real-World Decision Making, and Normal Aging[J]. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 2007, 1121(1): 480-498.
[47] HAN S D, BOYLE P A, YU L, et al.Grey matter correlates of susceptibility to scams in community-dwelling older adults[J]. Brain Imaging and Behavior, 2016, 10(2): 524-532.
[48] LAMAR M, ARFANAKIS K, YU L, et al.White matter correlates of scam susceptibility in community-dwelling older adults[J]. Brain Imaging and Behavior, 2020, 14(5): 1521-1530.
[49] CASTLE E, EISENBERGER N, SEEMAN T, et al.Neural and behavioral bases of age differences in perceptions of trust[J]. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 2012, 109(51): 20848-20852.
[50] KAPASI A, SCHNEIDER J, YU L, et al.Association of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Pathologies With Scam Susceptibility in Older Adults[J]. JAMA Neurology, 2023, 80(1): 49-57.
[51] JUDGES R A, GALLANT S N, YANG L, et al.The Role of Cognition, Personality, and Trust in Fraud Victimization in Older Adults[J]. Frontiers in Psychology, 2017(8): 588.
[52] MORGAN P L, WILLIAMS E J, ZOOK N A, et al.Exploring Older Adult Susceptibility to Fraudulent Computer Pop-Up Interruptions[C]// Advances in Human Factors in Cybersecurity. Cham: Springer International Publishing, 2019: 56-68.
[53] KIRCANSKI K, NOTTHOFF N, DELIEMA M, et al.Emotional arousal may increase susceptibility to fraud in older and younger adults[J]. Psychology and Aging, 2018, 33(2): 325-337.
[54] YU L, MOTTOLA G, KIEFFER C, et al.Vulnerability of Older Adults to Government Impersonation Scams[J]. JAMA Network Open, 2023, 6(9): 45-60.
[55] NOLTE J, HANOCH Y, WOOD S, et al.Susceptibility to COVID-19 Scams: The Roles of Age, Individual Difference Measures, and Scam-Related Perceptions[J]. Frontiers in Psychology, 2021(12): 45-60.
[56] ZHOU Y, XU J, WU S, et al.Health Fraud against the Elderly in China: The Perspective of Vulnerability Manipulation[J]. Victims & Offenders, 2023, 18(7): 1354-1372.
[57] BEALS M E, CARR D C, MOTTOLA G R, et al.How Does Survey Context Impact Self-reported Fraud Victimization?[J]. The Gerontologist, 2017, 57(2): 329-340.
[58] TRIPATHI K, ROBERTSON S, COOPER C.A brief report on older people‘s experience of cybercrime victimization in Mumbai, India[J]. Journal of Elder Abuse & Neglect, 2019, 31(4-5): 437-447.
[59] PARTI K. What is a capable guardian to older fraud victims? Comparison of younger and older victims' characteristics of online fraud utilizing routine activity theory [J/OL]. Frontiers in Psychology, (2023-08-14) [2024-04-12]. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1118741/full.
[60] FENGE L A, LEE S.Understanding the Risks of Financial Scams as Part of Elder Abuse Prevention[J]. The British Journal of Social Work, 2018, 48(4): 906-923.
[61] DELIEMA M, LANGTON L, BRANNOCK D, et al.Fraud victimization across the lifespan: evidence on repeat victimization using perpetrator data[J]. Journal of Elder Abuse & Neglect, 2024, 36(3): 227-250.
[62] BAILEY J, TAYLOR L, KINGSTON P, et al.Older adults and scams: evidence from the Mass Observation Archive[J]. Journal of Adult Protection, 2021, 23(1): 57-69.
[63] LICHTENBERG P A, TOCCO M, HALL L N.Financial decision-making deficits in scam cases: how frequent are they?[J]. Journal of Elder Abuse & Neglect, 2024, 36(1): 84-89.
[64] SEGAL M, DORON I, MOR S.Consumer Fraud: Older People's Perceptions and Experiences[J]. Journal of Aging & Social Policy, 2021, 33(1): 1-21.
[65] DELIEMA M.Elder Fraud and Financial Exploitation: Application of Routine Activity Theory[J]. The Gerontologist, 2018, 58(4): 706-718.
[66] LI J C M, YU (YOLANDA) M, WONG G T W, et al. Understanding and Preventing Financial Fraud Against Older Citizens in Chinese Society: Results of a Focus Group Study[J]. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 2016, 60(13): 1509-1531.
[67] REBOVICH D, CORBO L.The Distillation of National Crime Data into A Plan for Elderly Fraud Prevention: A Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis of U.S. Postal Inspection Service Cases of Fraud against the Elderly[J]. Victims & Offenders, 2021, 16(3): 407-430.
[68] 何勤华, 张顺. 老年人权益法治保障的创新与实践——以应对诈骗伤害为中心[J]. 南通大学学报(社会科学版), 2022, 38(5): 122-131.
HE Q H, ZHANG S.Innovation and Practice of Legal Protection of the Rights and Interests of the Elderly — Centering on Fraud Victims[J]. Journal of Nantong University (Social Science Edition), 2022, 38(5): 122-131.
[69] BUTTON M, KARAGIANNOPOULOS V, LEE J, et al.Preventing fraud victimisation against older adults: Towards a holistic model for protection[J]. International Journal of Law Crime and Justice, 2024(77): 100672.
[70] MEARS D, REISIG M, SCAGGS S, et al.Efforts to Reduce Consumer Fraud Victimization Among the Elderly: The Effect of Information Access on Program Awareness and Contact[J]. Crime & Delinquency, 2016, 62(9): 1235-1259.
[71] SUR A, DELIEMA M, VOCK D M, et al.A Microsimulation of Well-Being and Literacy Interventions to Reduce Scam Susceptibility in Older Adults[J]. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 2023, 42(12): 2360-2370.
[72] CHUNG E, YEUNG D.Reducing older people's risk of fraud victimization through an anti-scam board game[J]. Journal of Elder Abuse & Neglect, 2023, 35(2-3): 121-138.
[73] 郜洵, 顾莉, 刘再行. 化被动为主动:提升老年人群反诈能力的交互设计研究[J]. 装饰, 2023(12): 124-126.
GAO X, GU L, LIU Z X.Turning from Passive to Active: Study on the Interactive Design in Improving the Anti-Fraud Ability of Elderly[J]. Zhuangshi, 2023(12): 124-126.
[74] ALWANAIN M.Phishing Awareness and Elderly Users in Social Media[J]. International Journal of Computer Science and Network Security, 2020, 20(9): 114-119.
[75] STANLEY J, WEBSTER B.A comparison of the effectiveness of two types of deceit detection training methods in older adults[J]. Cognitive Research-Principles and Implications, 2019(10): 4.
[76] VAN DER LUBBE L, GERRITSEN C, BOSSE T. A serious game to improve the verbal resilience against doorstep scams[J]. International Journal of Serious Games, 2020, 7(2): 89-119.
[77] YU S, KUO C, TSENG Y.Association of Financial Literacy and Risk Preference With Fraud Exposure and Victimization Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults in China[J]. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 2023, 42(1): 89-98.
[78] FOGG B. A behavior model for persuasive design[C/OL]// Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Persuasive Technology. New York: Association for Computing Machinery, (2009-08-07) [2024-12-05]. https://doi.org/10.1145/1541948.1541999.
PDF(555 KB)

Accesses

Citation

Detail

Sections
Recommended

/