What’s the phrase to prey on?

Of take advantage of an innocent or victims (people) or something.
Several tourists prey on thieves and con-artists in Chennai.
However, these corporations are not happy to be ad hoc, and are likely willing to rob the ordinary people.

A free dictionary. (source: the

free dictionary) but it’s more often used for persons and more often for relations. I’m thinking maybe my best friend

can give me some free advice?

What are some of the best examples?

The term intellectual is more

formal, but carries the same meaning.

I know it means something else to you, since you’re a software developer (like me), but sounds like an exception : a

case to which a rule does not apply (source:

Merriam-Webster) A reasonable

alternative would be to adjectivize it, e.g. In some cases

it’s a formal matter of processing exceptional cases.