FEATURES OF MANIPULATIVE INFLUENCE FOR THE PURPOSE OF FRAUD IN ANONYMOUS TELEPHONE COMMUNICATION

Abstract

Based on a synthesis of interdisciplinary research, this paper analyzes the model of anonymous telephone communication for fraudulent purposes (vishing) and clarifies the mechanisms of the addressee's uncritical acceptance of information and cognitive blocking, which distorts the victim's perception of reality under manipulative influence. The relevance of this work is driven by the unprecedented increase in authorized fraudulent payments, which necessitates an understanding of the specifics of the manipulative technique of emotional steering, the target of which is to block the interlocutor's logical assessment, and the search for effective countermeasures. The main hypothesis is that the success of manipulative influence (fraud), which provokes the victim's inadequate, panic-driven fear, correlates directly – according to dual-process theory – with the effectiveness of blocking their critical thinking (System 2) and shifting decision-making control to intuitive, fast thinking (System 1). The research identifies three key mechanisms of manipulation that create optimal conditions for cognitive blocking. First, cognitive exhaustion: a prolonged, monological discourse intentionally maximizes extraneous cognitive load, depleting the victim's working memory and blocking the resources needed for critical analysis (per J. Sweller's cognitive load theory). Second, neural deactivation: the induction of intense fear and anxiety (through the framing of imminent loss, known as loss aversion) causes heightened amygdala activation and functional suppression of the prefrontal cortex (the logic center), giving biological priority to an impulsive survival response. Third, fraudsters use a dual emotional trap, sequentially evoking illusory fear (to destabilize) and then offering pseudo-care to build emotional trust and induce compliance, which ensures a rapid behavioral shift from panic to active cooperation. The work confirms the vulnerability paradox: even high intelligence does not guarantee immunity against situational emotional blocking. The practical significance of the research lies in formulating scientifically grounded counter-strategies focused on behaviorally breaking the manipulative cycle: pause and reflection strategies (conscious interruption of communication to restore cognitive control) and emotional regulation (emotion labeling) to restore prefrontal cortex function.