Fraud Wars was created to confront a growing and deeply personal issue: fraud. Our strategy was to educate audiences about fraud prevention and available resources by grounding the content in real human experiences. Rather than relying solely on statistics or warnings, we chose to tell victims’ stories while also promoting the AARP Fraud Watch Network™ as a trusted source of support.
Bringing this series to life required trust, sensitivity, and rigor at every stage. One of the greatest challenges was finding a fraud victim willing to appear on camera and recount some of the most painful moments of their life. We approached this process with empathy first, ensuring participants felt supported, respected, and in control of how their story was told. Transparency, consent, and ongoing communication were central to our production process.
We were deeply committed to telling these stories without placing blame on the victim. Fraud often carries stigma and shame, and our editorial approach focused on highlighting the tactics and sophistication of scammers rather than the actions of those targeted. This required careful interview planning, thoughtful storytelling, and extensive editing to ensure each episode was accurate, respectful, and empowering.
From a creative execution standpoint, we faced the challenge of sustaining viewer engagement with limited source material, often just a single interview. To overcome this, we used a true crime-inspired structure supported by extensive research, strong narrative pacing, and intentional editing. This approach allowed us to maintain tension and interest while clearly communicating educational takeaways.
The series underwent extensive internal review, with multiple stakeholders across communications, legal, and fraud prevention teams involved. This ensured we were honoring the victim’s story while accurately representing the important work of our fraud experts and the AARP Fraud Watch Network™.
Platform strategy was a key component for the execution of this content. YouTube was the primary platform, supported by cross-platform efforts including cut-downs for vertical video and quote cards for Instagram and Facebook. A dedicated landing page was developed for AARP.org to promote the series, with embedded YouTube video links. A thoughtful community management strategy was also important across platforms, with care taken to reduce victim blaming in the comments and to provide resources for people who have encountered scams.
What makes Fraud Wars unique is its balance of empathy and action. By combining emotionally resonant storytelling with practical resources, the series not only raises awareness but also empowers viewers to recognize fraud and seek help.
Fraud Wars proved highly successful, reaching nearly 4 million views and engaging audiences at scale. Beyond the numbers, the series had a meaningful human impact by giving victims a platform to be heard and helping viewers recognize fraud in their own lives. By pairing emotional storytelling with clear resources, Fraud Wars became a powerful vehicle for expanding awareness of the AARP Fraud Watch Network™and connecting people to help when they need it most.
