Have you been paying attention: A live game show on scams, social engineering and why smart people still get caught

This workshop transforms a typical cyber security session into a fast-paced, interactive experience inspired by the energy of Have You Been Paying Attention?. Instead of presenting scams as a consumer issue, it reframes them as a sophisticated form of social engineering and a critical human-layer risk.

From the opening moments, participants become part of the game. They are asked to make quick decisions under pressure, just as they would in real life. Through a mix of timed, high-energy rounds inspired by familiar game formats, the session keeps the audience engaged and constantly thinking. Some rounds test instinct with rapid-fire questions, while others build tension through evolving scenarios where trust develops over time.

The variety keeps the experience fresh and unpredictable. Participants may feel confident one moment, then hesitate the next. This mirrors real-world conditions, where decisions are shaped by timing, emotion, and context rather than perfect information.

Each scenario is grounded in real cases. Drawing on investigative work from Two Face Investigations and Scam Prevention Australia, the workshop explores how scams operate across different environments, including the Global South. This broadens understanding and challenges assumptions about who is targeted and how attacks are designed.

Sarah Barnbrook leads the session as host, guiding the flow and creating an environment where people feel comfortable engaging and reflecting on their decisions. Her work in digital safety and prevention brings a focus on how systems and environments shape behaviour. She connects each moment back to the bigger picture, helping participants see beyond the individual interaction.

Kylee Dennis brings the investigator’s perspective. With a background in law enforcement and as the founder of Two Face Investigations and Scam Prevention Australia, she shares how these scenarios unfold in real life. Her insights into how scammers build trust, adapt their approach, and operate across borders add depth and credibility.

Together, Sarah and Kylee bring a dynamic balance of energy and insight. Their work has taken them across the world, delivering workshops at the United Nations and participating in roundtable discussions at Parliament in London. Their shared advocacy in scam prevention and digital safety underpins the session and shapes its focus on prevention.

A key element of the workshop is confidence. Participants are asked not only what they would do, but how sure they feel. This often reveals a gap between confidence and reality, prompting reflection on how decisions are made under pressure.

The session also explores how the threat landscape is evolving. AI is making scams more convincing and easier to scale, while traditional warning signs are becoming less reliable. Participants are encouraged to think beyond awareness and consider how behaviour, context, and timing influence risk.

By the end of the session, participants leave with a lived understanding of how easily decisions can shift, and a deeper appreciation of the human layer in cyber security. Delivered with humour, energy, and a distinctly Australian voice, this workshop creates a memorable experience that keeps the audience guessing, questioning, and thinking long after it ends.