Digital Detectives – Designing Tools to Outsmart Scammers
What this project is really about
Financial scams are getting smarter every day—fake bank calls, phishing emails, investment traps, and social media “giveaway” cons. Scammers don’t just rely on technology; they exploit human tendencies—curiosity, fear, urgency, and trust. In this project, you’ll become a scam detective and engineer rolled into one. First, you’ll investigate how scams work: What tricks do scammers use? What vulnerabilities do they target? Why do people fall for them? Then, you’ll turn your insights into a simple, user-friendly digital tool or app that helps people spot, avoid, and block these traps. Your solution could be a scam-alert app, a “safe checklist” before sending money, a chatbot that helps verify messages, or a browser add-on that flags suspicious links. It doesn’t need to be fully coded—students will create wireframes, clickable mock-ups, and low-code prototypes that clearly show how the tool works. Problem Statement: How might we design a simple, easy-to-use digital tool that helps people recognize, avoid, and protect themselves from financial scams—by tackling the vulnerabilities scammers rely on? Project Deliverables: • Scam Analysis: Research and map common scams, their tricks, and the human tendencies they exploit. • Concept Design: Create sketches and user flow diagrams for your tool or app. • Wireframes/Prototypes: Build a clickable mock-up or low-code version of your solution. • Demonstration: Present how your tool works and explain which vulnerabilities it addresses. Learning Outcomes: By the end of the project, you will: • Understand the psychology and tactics behind common financial scams. • Learn to apply human-centered design to solve digital safety challenges. • Gain skills in app visualization, wireframing, and basic prototyping. • Strengthen critical thinking, creativity, and communication skills.
What you'll walk away knowing how to do
This project isn't about memorising facts. It's about building capabilities that transfer — to your next project, your next class, and beyond.
Learn from someone who does this for a living
You're not learning from a textbook. You're learning from a practitioner.
Maria Weber
St Louis University
Maria Weber brings real-world expertise and professional depth to this project, guiding students through every phase with insight that goes beyond the classroom.
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