Fake Government Grant Scams on Snapchat
Snapchat stories and DMs promote fabricated government assistance programmes targeting younger users, collecting personal data and small fees under the guise of a grant application.
Part of: Fake Government Grant Scams
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Fake government grant scams on Snapchat tend to target younger demographics by linking the offer to education grants, student support payments, or first-time buyer schemes. A story from an account using a government-style profile promises that qualifying applicants will receive direct payments.
The ephemeral nature of Snapchat content creates urgency: a story expires in 24 hours, and the fraudster exploits this format to discourage victims from taking time to verify the offer independently before applying.
How this scam works on Snapchat
A Snapchat story shows a screenshot of a government announcement about a new student or cost-of-living grant. The account claims to be an authorised application agent and directs viewers to DM their details. Victims who respond are guided through an application process via Snap DM, providing name, address, date of birth, and national ID.
After completing the 'application', the victim is told an administration fee of a small amount is required to process the payment. Those who pay receive a fake reference number and are told to expect payment within a week. No payment arrives, and the account blocks them.
Some operators combine Snapchat outreach with a fraudulent website to make the scheme appear more official.
Common red flags
- Snapchat story or DM claiming to offer a government grant or education payment
- Application process conducted entirely via Snapchat DM rather than an official government portal
- Request for national ID, date of birth, or bank details via DM
- Small administration fee required to 'process' the grant payment
- Fake reference number provided after payment with no further contact
- Story using government logos or official-looking branding
How to protect yourself
- Apply for government grants only through the official government website
- Never conduct a grant application through Snapchat DM
- Screenshot any suspicious story before it expires and report it
- Block and report the account immediately
- Verify whether the described scheme exists by checking official government announcements
How to report it
- Press and hold the story or DM and select 'Report' within Snapchat
- Report the impersonation to the relevant government agency
- File a fraud report with your national consumer protection or fraud authority
Frequently asked questions
Can government agencies legitimately use Snapchat to announce grants?
Government agencies sometimes use social media to publicise existing schemes, but they will always direct applicants to their official website — never conduct the application process through Snapchat DM or ask for fees. Any application conducted via Snapchat DM is fraudulent.