Texas Teen uses computer science to fight against crooks

Plano, Texas – In many ways, Tejasvi Manoj de Plano, Texas, is a child of 17 years on average.

“You must balance, like all your lessons, and then you also have college requests,” Manoj told CBS News.

But she spends a large part of her last year of high school with another type of senior, visiting older community centers, where she teaches them how Avoid being financially scammed.

His call started last year when the Manoj grandfather was the target of a scam effort in which he received an SMS from someone who claims to be a family member, claiming an emergency and asking him to wire $ 2,000 to a bank account.

Fortunately, Manoj’s grandfather and grandmother contacted family members and discovered the scam before cable the money.

But the event was alarming for Manoj, which began to search and then create a website and an application entitled SHIELD Seniors, which shows what the online scams look like and how to report them.

In July, she made a TEDX speech. And this week, she made the cover of Time magazine as “kid of the year”.

“So I discovered 12 hours before the release of the article,” said Manoj. “I was so shocked. It was the greatest surprise in my life, honestly.”

Manoj says his research shows that crooks are Increasing use of artificial intelligence.

“There are so many people who are Use of AI To make the scams more real, “said Manoj.

These frauds become more and more common. According to the FBI internet crime complaints, people aged 60 and over who declared scams in 2024 have lost a total of $ 4.8 billion – double losses only five years ago.

“Especially when you are older, you feel more vulnerable,” said a woman who attended one of the Manoj classes. “I also think, as you age, you become less, warned by computer.”

Its application, which uses AI, allows users to detect potential scam.

“So here, I can add, like an SMS,” said Manoj, displaying his website. “And then I can press” please identify if it is a threat “. That said so this request seems suspicious.”

Manoj took computer courses, but she said that she had especially learned coding and AI on YouTube.

“Obviously, my mission is to make sure that the elderly are aware of cybersecurity,” said Manoj. “And they shouldn’t be embarrassed to ask for help.”

She says that her long -term plans involve continuing her work on shield seniors, but also finding ways to use “Tech for Social Good”.

Manoj is always looking for funding for its application. She hopes that the landing of time cover will allow her to launch shields by the end of the year.