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3,995 guides on how specific scams play out on particular platforms, via particular payment methods, in particular countries, and under specific impersonated brands.
How romance scammers operate specifically on Instagram — from DM openers to steering you off-platform — and how to stay safe.
PlatformHow pig-butchering investment scams use WhatsApp's private messaging, group features, and end-to-end encryption to groom victims over weeks before introducing a fraudulent trading platform.
PlatformHow fraudulent 'like and earn' or 'app review' task scams use Telegram channels, bots, and anonymous accounts to recruit workers, collect small deposits, and then vanish.
PlatformHow fraudulent sellers exploit Facebook Marketplace's local listings, Messenger integration, and Facebook Pay to take payment and disappear — or ship nothing at all.
PlatformHow crypto giveaway fraud exploits X's reply threads, impersonation of verified accounts, and fast-moving tweet culture to trick users into sending cryptocurrency they will never recover.
PlatformHow fraudulent recruiters exploit LinkedIn's professional credibility, job search culture, and InMail system to phish credentials, collect personal data, or advance investment and advance-fee scams.
PlatformHow attackers phish Instagram login credentials, hijack accounts, and then use those accounts to scam the victim's own followers — and how to recover access and prevent it.
PaymentWhy scammers specifically demand cryptocurrency for fraudulent investments, how the irreversibility of blockchain transactions works against victims, and what limited options exist after funds are sent.
PaymentHow fraudulent sellers steer marketplace buyers toward Zelle, why its bank-to-bank speed means payments are nearly irreversible, and how to protect yourself when buying online.
PaymentHow task scams collect 'deposit' payments through Cash App, why the platform's peer-to-peer model offers limited fraud recourse, and what to do if you've sent money.
PaymentWhy fake tech support scammers demand payment in gift card codes, the specific retailers they target, and why any legitimate support call that mentions gift cards is a scam.
PaymentHow fraudulent landlords use wire transfer requests to take security deposits and first month's rent for properties they do not own or that do not exist, and why wire transfers are particularly hard to recover.
PaymentHow BEC fraud intercepts or impersonates business email to redirect legitimate bank transfers to scammer-controlled accounts, and the verification steps that prevent it.
CountryHow pig-butchering investment scams target US residents — from initial contact through fake trading platforms — with US-specific reporting routes and consumer protections.
CountryHow smishing campaigns impersonate US toll authorities — E-ZPass, SunPass, FasTrak, and others — to steal payment card details and personal information from drivers.
CountryHow smishing messages impersonating Royal Mail, Evri, DPD, and other UK carriers are used to harvest card details and personal data — with UK-specific reporting routes.
CountryHow investment fraud targets Australians — from crypto romance scams to fake managed funds — and the specific Australian reporting routes through Scamwatch and ASIC.
CountryHow online task fraud targets workers in the Philippines — particularly through fake part-time job offers on Facebook and Telegram — and the Philippine-specific reporting routes through the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group.
CountryHow cryptocurrency fraud targets Canadians — from fake exchanges to romance-linked investment schemes — and how to report to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and FINTRAC.
PlatformHow fraudulent shops exploit TikTok's viral product videos, LIVE shopping events, and seamless checkout links to sell counterfeit or non-existent goods to unsuspecting viewers.
PlatformHow romance scammers use Snapchat's disappearing messages, Snap Map, and streaks culture to build false intimacy with victims before steering conversations toward financial requests.
PlatformHow fraudulent AI trading platforms use YouTube livestreams, monetised ads, and deepfake celebrity endorsements to funnel viewers into fake crypto investment schemes.
PlatformHow counterfeit products are sold through eBay listings, the signals that separate genuine items from fakes, and how to use eBay's Money Back Guarantee and external routes to seek redress.
PlatformHow attackers use Discord DMs, fake bot invitations, and phishing links disguised as game rewards to steal gaming account credentials and in-game assets.
PlatformHow scammers pose as brand or Facebook support agents in comments and Messenger to harvest account credentials, card details, and remote access from people seeking legitimate help.
PlatformHow fraudulent part-time job offers use WhatsApp groups, fake HR managers, and staged 'commission' payments to collect deposits from people seeking flexible work.
PlatformHow sextortion scammers use Snapchat's disappearing content to build false confidence before threatening to distribute intimate images — and why paying never stops the demands.
PaymentHow scammers exploit family crisis scenarios — impersonating grandchildren, friends, or officials — to pressure victims into buying gift cards and reading codes over the phone.
PaymentHow pig-butchering investment fraud uses bank transfers as the payment entry point, the window for recovery that exists with bank-to-bank payments, and the protections that differ from crypto.
PaymentHow fraudulent lottery notifications demand gift card payment for 'release fees' and 'taxes' before winnings that don't exist can be 'claimed' — and why no real lottery works this way.
PaymentHow fraudulent asset-recovery services target people who have already lost money to scams, demanding upfront cryptocurrency fees to 'trace and recover' funds that they will never retrieve.
PaymentHow attackers intercept or impersonate supplier invoices to redirect legitimate wire transfers to fraudulent accounts — and the verification step that stops it every time.
PaymentHow fake vehicle listings use fraudulent escrow services to collect wire transfer deposits for cars, motorcycles, and boats that don't exist or aren't for sale.
PaymentHow fraudulent appeals exploit disasters, conflicts, and causes to collect crypto donations that never reach any charitable purpose — and how to verify before donating.
PaymentHow task scams exploit PayPal's familiarity and Friends and Family feature to collect deposits — and why the payment method choice matters for your ability to dispute a charge.
CountryHow romance fraud affects US residents — from dating app contact through cryptocurrency demands — with US-specific reporting routes through the FTC and FBI IC3.
CountryHow investment fraud targets UK residents — from clone firm scams to crypto romance schemes — with UK-specific tools including the FCA ScamSmart checker and Action Fraud reporting.
CountryHow pig-butchering investment fraud targets Singapore residents, the ScamShield app available to Singaporeans, and how to report to the Singapore Police Force and MAS.
CountryHow fake tech support fraud targets Canadians — from Microsoft pop-up scams to CRA impersonation — and how to report to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
CountryHow online task fraud targets workers in India through WhatsApp and Telegram, the Indian reporting routes through cybercrime.gov.in and the 1930 helpline, and why part-time job deposits are always a scam signal.
CountryHow cryptocurrency fraud targets Australians — from social media investment pitches to superannuation crypto schemes — with reporting routes through Scamwatch, ASIC, and ReportCyber.
CountryHow smishing messages impersonating USPS, FedEx, UPS, and Amazon steal card details and personal information from US residents — with reporting routes through the FTC and FBI IC3.
CountryHow callers posing as Australian bank fraud teams and police convince victims to move funds to a 'safe account' — with reporting routes through Scamwatch, ReportCyber, and AFCA.
PlatformHow phishing emails mimic banks, couriers, and government agencies to harvest login credentials and card details — the header signals, link tricks, and habits that protect you.
PlatformHow smishing messages impersonating parcel carriers reach millions of phones and harvest card details through lookalike payment pages — why SMS makes these harder to verify, and how to protect yourself.
PlatformHow fraudulent crypto giveaway channels use Telegram's anonymous groups, pinned messages, and bot-driven fake engagement to steal cryptocurrency from users seeking free tokens.
PlatformHow fraudulent online retailers buy Google Ads to appear above legitimate search results, collect payment for goods that never arrive, and how to verify before you buy.
PlatformHow romance scammers use Facebook's profile system, friend suggestions, and Messenger to build false relationships — and the profile signals that reveal a scammer before emotional investment deepens.
PlatformHow fraudulent investment mentors use WhatsApp groups to simulate a community of successful traders, build credibility through staged wins, and collect fees for courses and platforms that deliver nothing.
PlatformHow fake tech support operators use YouTube comment sections, pinned links under tech help videos, and fake tutorial channels to direct viewers to fraudulent phone numbers and remote-access sessions.
PlatformHow fraudulent sellers and buyers exploit Craigslist's anonymous classifieds, unverified listings, and cash-or-transfer payment culture to defraud both sides of transactions.
PaymentHow fraudulent investment platforms collect bank transfers by mimicking legitimate financial intermediaries — the narrow recall window that makes early reporting critical, and the verification checks that stop payment before it leaves your account.
PaymentHow romance fraud pivots from emotional grooming to cryptocurrency payment requests — why crypto is chosen over bank transfer, and what the irreversibility of blockchain transactions means for recovery.
PaymentHow fake tech support callers escalate from gift card demands to wire transfers for larger amounts — the bank verification step that sometimes intercepts these payments, and what to do if a transfer has been sent.
PaymentWhy pig-butchering scammers increasingly demand payment in USDT and other stablecoins, how stablecoin transfers differ from volatile crypto for the scammer's operational needs, and what victims should know about tracing.
PaymentHow fraudulent buyers send overpayment cheques to sellers, exploit the gap between apparent clearance and actual verification, and collect a refund before the cheque bounces — leaving the seller out of pocket.
PaymentHow fake landlords collect security deposits and first month's rent through Cash App — why the peer-to-peer platform offers no renter protection, and what to do if a payment has been sent.
PaymentHow lottery advance-fee fraud escalates to wire transfer demands for larger 'release fees' — why the payment method shift from gift cards to wire signals the scammer believes significant funds are available, and what to do.
PaymentHow emergency money request scammers send couriers to collect cash directly from victims' homes — why the in-person cash pickup is the highest-pressure variant of this fraud, and why no real emergency works this way.
CountryHow romance fraud targets Australians across dating apps and social media — with Australian-specific reporting routes through Scamwatch, IDCARE, and the Australian Cyber Security Centre.
CountryHow investment fraud targets Canadians — from clone-firm pitches to pig-butchering — with provincial securities commission checks and reporting routes through the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
CountryHow pig-butchering investment fraud targets UK residents — from clone firm tactics to bank transfer grooming — with the FCA ScamSmart checker, Action Fraud, and APP fraud reimbursement options.
CountryHow online task fraud targets US workers through fake part-time job offers on social media and messaging apps — with reporting routes through the FTC, FBI IC3, and state attorneys general.
CountryHow cryptocurrency fraud targets Singapore residents — from fake MAS-licensed platforms to social media investment pitches — with MAS verification tools, ScamShield, and SPF reporting routes.
CountryHow callers posing as UK bank fraud teams and police officers manipulate victims into authorising transfers — with the 159 hotline, APP fraud reimbursement rules, and Action Fraud reporting.
CountryHow fake tech support fraud targets US residents — from Microsoft pop-up alerts to IRS impersonation — with FTC and FBI IC3 reporting routes and the payment methods most commonly demanded.
CountryHow smishing texts impersonating Australia Post, DHL, and Toll Group steal card details and personal information from Australians — with reporting routes through Scamwatch, ReportCyber, and the ACCC.
PlatformHow fraudulent phone callers — posing as government agencies, utility companies, or tech support — use the voice channel's authority and urgency to steer victims toward buying gift cards and reading the codes aloud.
PlatformHow fraudulent job listings on major job boards harvest personal data, charge upfront fees, or pivot to task and investment scams — and how to vet a job posting before applying or sharing any information.
PlatformHow wallet drainer malware and phishing links are distributed through Discord servers, compromised bots, and fake NFT or token mint announcements — and how to protect your crypto wallet from on-chain theft.
PlatformHow fraudulent online shops use Instagram's paid advertising to reach targeted audiences with stolen product photos, collect payment, and deliver nothing — or ship poor-quality counterfeits.
PlatformHow romance scammers exploit dating app matching systems, profile verification gaps, and in-app messaging to build trust before steering victims off-platform and into financial requests.
PlatformHow AI-generated celebrity endorsement videos are used in Facebook paid ads to promote fraudulent investment platforms — how to identify synthetic media, and why the celebrity's apparent involvement is always fabricated.
PlatformHow smishing campaigns exploit SMS's lack of a sender-domain check, alphanumeric sender ID spoofing, and mobile-browser URL truncation to harvest credentials and card details at scale.
PlatformHow romance scammers use WhatsApp's voice notes, profile photos, and status updates to manufacture intimacy — and why the platform's end-to-end encryption leaves less evidence for victims to show authorities.
PlatformHow task scam operators use TikTok's algorithm, DMs, and creator culture to recruit workers into fake 'app rating' and 'boosting' jobs that collect deposits and deliver nothing.
PlatformHow fraudulent store-fronts use Facebook Marketplace's category listings, Messenger checkout flows, and profile recycling to sell goods that never arrive — distinct from individual seller fraud.
PlatformHow fraudulent crypto giveaway streams hijack YouTube channels, impersonate celebrities using pre-recorded footage, and run continuous 'send to double' scams — and why this format has no legitimate version.
PlatformHow attackers use phishing snaps, verification code requests, and third-party app lures to hijack Snapchat accounts — then use those accounts to scam the victim's friends through trusted-sender messages.
PaymentHow fraudulent investment platforms persuade victims to send initial deposits via Zelle — exploiting its bank-to-bank speed and near-zero dispute options — before transitioning to crypto for larger amounts.
PaymentHow pig-butchering investment fraud uses international wire transfers to move large sums — the narrower recovery window compared to domestic bank transfer, and the timed steps that matter.
PaymentWhy fake tech support callers specifically name Apple iTunes and Google Play gift cards — how the digital redemption chain works, and the card-specific steps that can stop funds from being spent.
PaymentHow fraudulent marketplace sellers steer buyers toward Venmo, why the platform's social feed and peer-to-peer design create false confidence, and what the distinction between Venmo's payment types means for fraud recovery.
PaymentHow romance scammers steer victims toward Cash App for financial transfers — using its instant peer-to-peer mechanics and limited dispute options — before escalating to cryptocurrency.
PaymentHow fake security software pop-ups and cold calls create virus panic before demanding gift card codes as payment for 'removal' — and why genuine antivirus software never requests gift card payment.
CountryHow smishing texts impersonating SingPost, DHL, and Ninja Van steal card details and personal information from Singapore residents — with ScamShield, SPF reporting, and the official carrier domains.
CountryHow fraudulent investment platforms target Indian investors through WhatsApp groups and Telegram channels — with SEBI verification, the 1930 Cyber Crime Helpline, and cybercrime.gov.in reporting routes.
CountryHow romance fraud targets Canadians — from dating app contact through crypto ATM and wire transfer demands — with reporting routes through the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and provincial support.
CountryHow fake tech support fraud targets Australians — from NBN and Telstra impersonation to Microsoft pop-ups — with Scamwatch and ReportCyber reporting routes and the Australian-specific variants.
CountryHow pig-butchering investment fraud targets Filipinos via dating apps and Facebook — with GCash deposit mechanics, PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group reporting, and SEC Philippines verification.
CountryHow online task fraud targets UK workers through WhatsApp job offers and Telegram groups — with Action Fraud and the 159 hotline as reporting routes, and the UK-specific payment patterns.
PlatformHow fraudulent investment promoters exploit Reddit's upvote system, community trust, and pseudonymous accounts to pump penny stocks, fake crypto projects, and fraudulent trading platforms.
PlatformHow fraudulent retailers use Pinterest's shoppable pins, board curation, and aspirational aesthetics to funnel users to fake storefronts that collect payment for goods that never arrive.
PlatformHow fraudulent task and micro-job listings exploit Indeed's job board credibility to recruit workers into deposit-based scams — and why a listing on a major job board is not a guarantee of employer legitimacy.
PlatformHow romance scammers exploit Tinder's swiping mechanic, profile photo norms, and conversational immediacy to manufacture emotional closeness before steering victims toward financial requests.
PlatformHow fraudulent tech support operators buy Google Search ads to appear above legitimate company support pages — intercepting users seeking real help and redirecting them to scam phone numbers.