The TikToking troll and weaponization of conscience: A systems perspective case study

Abstract: Cybercrime is a pervasive threat that impacts every facet of society. Its reach transcends geographic borders and extends far beyond the digital realm, often serving as the catalyst for offline crimes. As modern conflicts become increasingly intertwined with cyber warfare, the need for interdisciplinary cooperation to grasp and combat this escalating threat is paramount. This case study centers around a controversial TikToker, highlighting how the weaponization of conscience can be leveraged to manipulate multiple actors within a propagandist's target population. Weaponization of conscience is a tactic used by fraudsters to camouflage their activity, deceive their victims, and extend the effectiveness of their modi operandi. Research shows that 95 percent of cybersecurity incidents are the result of human error and 90 percent begin with a phishing attempt. Honing the capacity to identify and dissect strategies employed by fraudsters along with how individual reactions unfold in the larger system is an essential skill for organizations and individuals to safeguard themselves. Understanding cybercrime and its many interconnected systems requires examination through the lens of complexity science.