ArticleFrontiers in public health2026
Trends and factors associated with cyber fraud among older adults: a decade of administrative data in Brazil.
Article in Frontiers in public health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
Background: Cyber fraud targeting older adults has become an increasingly important public health and social concern, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Despite growing digital inclusion, older populations remain disproportionately exposed to financial exploitation in online environments. This study aimed to examine temporal trends and identify factors associated with cyber fraud among older adults using administrative data from Brazil. Methods: A cross-sectional, retrospective study was conducted using administrative police records of reported cyber fraud cases involving individuals aged ≥60 years in the state of Ceará, Brazil, between 2015 and 2025. Descriptive analyses were performed to characterize temporal trends and victim profiles. Bivariate analyses and multivariable logistic regression models were applied to identify factors associated with the occurrence and distribution of cases. Variables included sex, age, geographic region, and contextual characteristics of reported incidents. Results: A total of 12,413 cases were identified over the study period, with a marked increase observed from 2020 onwards. The highest proportions of cases occurred in 2023 (24.4%) and 2024 (30.8%), followed by a decline in 2025, likely reflecting incomplete data. Trend analyses were therefore restricted to the complete period from 2019 to 2024. Most cases were concentrated in the capital, Fortaleza (65.7%), followed by the metropolitan region (9.8%) and inland areas (24.5%). Women were more frequently affected (55.0%), and the mean age of victims was 67.1 years (SD = 5.9). Multivariable analysis indicated that female sex, residence in urban areas, and more recent years were associated with increased reporting of cyber fraud. Conclusions: Cyber fraud against older adults has increased substantially over the past decade, with distinct demographic and regional patterns. These findings underscore the need for targeted public health strategies, digital literacy interventions, and intersectoral policies to protect older populations from financial exploitation in digital environments. Strengthening surveillance systems and improving reporting mechanisms are essential to support prevention and response efforts.
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