#2567 - Mariana van Zeller

Modern scams, particularly romance and investment-based "pig butchering" schemes, exploit deep-seated human loneliness and emotional vulnerability rather than mere naivety. Digital platforms like Meta facilitate these rampant frauds, internally projecting billions in revenue from scam-related advertisements while opting to charge "penalty bids" instead of implementing comprehensive bans. Beyond digital fraud, the global drug trade and cartel violence are sustained by systemic inequality and an insatiable U.S. demand for substances like fentanyl. Addressing these crises requires moving beyond punitive enforcement toward treating addiction as a public health issue, alongside holding tech giants accountable for their role in enabling criminal activity. Investigative journalist Mariana van Zeller highlights these systemic failures, emphasizing that current regulatory frameworks are insufficient to protect vulnerable individuals from sophisticated, AI-enhanced exploitation.