After Her Grandfather Almost Got Scammed, Local Student Creates Online Security App

In May 2024, Tejasvi Manoj, then 15 years old, was in the car with her father when her 86-year-old grandfather almost fell victim to cyber fraud, something that cost the elderly more than $3.4 billion in 2023, according to the FBI.

Her grandfather called Manoj’s father, telling him a family member had requested an electronic funds transfer to their bank account and had provided banking details. Manoj's father called the family member who supposedly needed money only to find out they were being impersonated.

“Imagine the stress and emotional turmoil he would have gone through if he did in fact respond to the message and the scammer,” Manoj says.

That day marked a turning point for student at Lebanon Trail High School in Frisco. She took up working in the world of cybersecurity to prevent similar occurrences from occurring to other senior citizens.

Manoj developed an interest in coding in middle school and attended summer coding camps. In her sophomore year of high school, CyberPatriot was a national program that educated young people about cybersecurity and other STEM fields and offered competitions. This gave Manoj the motivation to take a cybersecurity class.

Manoj observed widespread cybersecurity challenges among senior citizens while discussing their struggles with basic online safety.

“It became clear that this was a widespread issue,” Manoj says.

Last summer, Manoj began developing Shield Seniors, a web application designed to counter cybersecurity challenges faced by senior citizens. The platform has four sections tailored to simplify online safety and provide practical tools for protection.

The "learn" section breaks down complex cybersecurity concepts into easy-to-understand language. The "ask" section includes an AI-powered chatbot to answer cybersecurity-related questions.

In the "analyze" section, users can upload images of texts or emails to receive AI-generated feedback on potential threats.

The "report" section provides resources to help senior citizens report scams or threats quickly and efficiently.

To make the website accessible, Manoj incorporated senior-friendly design elements like easy-to-read fonts and a calming blue color scheme. After spending two to three months researching and building the application, Manoj submitted Shield Seniors to the Congressional App Challenge last October. In November, her project earned an honorable mention from U.S. Rep. Keith Self, recognizing its innovative approach to cybersecurity education and protection for senior citizens.

The Congressional App Challenge has served as a launchpad for many young innovators, with past participants going on to develop effective technological solutions. In 2024 alone, the competition saw over 12,000 students submit more than 3,900 apps. Some winners have continued refining their projects, while others have created entirely new applications.

“In the future, I would like to expand on Shield Seniors, maybe create my own AI model and build a mobile app. I want to make my app accessible to everyone,” she says.

Emotional manipulation is a common tactic in scams, particularly romance scams, in which perpetrators exploit victims' emotions to gain trust and financial benefits. In 2022, nearly 70,000 individuals reported romance scams, with reported losses totaling $1.3 billion.

These scams often lead to significant financial and emotional distress. Victims may experience feelings of betrayal, shame and depression, which can deter them from reporting the incidents or seeking support, according to AARP.

Scammers employ various psychological tactics, such as fear-based approaches, to manipulate victims into making hasty decisions. This emotional manipulation can impair judgment, making individuals more susceptible to fraudulent schemes.

“Family support scams, dating scams, or anything that involves toying with people’s feelings is something scammers take advantage of and manipulate them,” Manoj says. “I would say if something seems too good to be true, it probably is too good to be true.”

For Margaret Davis, a widow in her early 70s from Fort Worth, the danger of emotional manipulation was real. After losing her husband, she turned to an online dating site to find companionship. Soon, she was messaging a man named “John.”

As their relationship grew, John shared personal details about his life, and Davis felt a deep emotional connection. But when he told her he needed money to resolve a financial issue while working overseas, she didn’t hesitate to help. She sent him money, believing he was genuine.

It wasn’t until she spoke with her daughter that Davis realized the truth.

“I thought he was the one,” Davis recalls thinking. “I never thought someone would do this to me.”

By the time she understood she had been scammed, Davis had already lost around $2,000. The emotional toll was just as significant as the financial loss, leaving her feeling betrayed and isolated.

“I just wanted to feel connected again, but now I’m more cautious and suspicious of anyone who reaches out to me online,” Davis says. “I never thought I would fall for something like this."

Manoj is driven by one goal: to make the internet a safer place for everyone, especially seniors. “I want to empower people to feel confident online,” she says. “If we can equip seniors with the knowledge to protect themselves, we can drastically reduce their vulnerability to scams.”

For seniors who feel overwhelmed by the digital world, the best course of action is to take small steps toward building online safety skills. Trusted organizations, such as AARP or the Federal Trade Commission, offer resources to help navigate the digital landscape safely. Family and friends also play a crucial role in offering guidance and reassurance.

By staying informed, reaching out for help when needed, and applying basic safety practices, seniors can protect themselves from the growing threat of cyber fraud.

“When it comes to seniors who are afraid to use the internet because of fraud, knowledge is the best weapon,” Manoj says.