The phenomenon of trust as a resource and a vulnerability of economic security in the context of the evolution of forms of fraud

The article examines trust as a key economic institution with a dual nature – a resource for development and a source of vulnerability to economic security. Based on the theoretical analysis, the concept of trust infrastructure is revealed as a set of channels, norms and technologies that ensure the recognition of information and the legitimacy of economic interactions. It is shown that the complication of this infrastructure is accompanied by an increase in systemic risk due to technological connectivity and the possibility of exploiting verification channels by intruders. A conceptual model is proposed that describes the transformation of trust from a resource to vulnerability and further into a source of systemic risks. Based on comparative historical analysis from Antiquity to the digital age, the dominant channels of trust (religion, spoken word, documents, brands, mass media, digital identity), their typical forms of exploitation and consequences for economic security have been identified. The practical directions of trust risk management are substantiated, including the development of a national trust infrastructure, reputational policy, and improving digital literacy.