Loan Scams via Skrill
How fraudulent lenders use Skrill to collect advance fees from borrowers who are approved for loans that never materialise.
Part of: Loan Scams
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Loan scams target people who need credit and cannot qualify through traditional banks. Fraudulent lenders offer guaranteed approval regardless of credit history, then request an upfront fee via Skrill to cover 'insurance,' 'processing,' or 'collateral.' Once the fee is paid, the loan is never disbursed.
Skrill is chosen because digital wallet transfers settle quickly, are difficult to reverse, and carry fewer consumer protections than regulated bank loans. The promise of easy approval for a large loan makes victims willing to pay a seemingly small upfront cost.
How this scam works on Skrill
The scam lender advertises through social media, classified sites, or spam messages offering large loans at attractive rates with no credit check. After the victim 'applies,' they receive an approval letter and are asked to pay a Skrill fee to activate or insure the loan before disbursement.
After the first Skrill payment, additional fees appear — a tax deposit, a disbursement bond, or a government levy. Each payment is described as the final step before the loan arrives. The loan never comes.
Because victims have already paid, sunk-cost thinking makes them more likely to pay subsequent fees rather than accept the loss and walk away.
Common red flags
- A lender approves a loan before reviewing any financial information
- An upfront Skrill fee is required before the loan is disbursed
- Each payment is followed by a new requirement before the loan can be released
- The lender has no verifiable physical address or regulatory registration
- Communication happens only through messaging apps or personal email
- The interest rate or terms are far more attractive than any legitimate lender offers
How to protect yourself
- Never pay an upfront Skrill fee to receive a loan from any lender
- Verify lenders through your country's financial services regulator before applying
- Contact Skrill fraud support immediately if a fee was already paid
- Reject any lender who approves you without reviewing income or credit information
- Consult a regulated financial adviser or bank about legitimate borrowing options
- Report the fraudulent lender to your consumer protection authority
How to report it
- Report the fraudulent Skrill account to Skrill's fraud support
- File a complaint with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or your national authority
- Report the unregistered lender to your country's financial services regulator
Frequently asked questions
Do any legitimate lenders charge upfront fees via Skrill?
No regulated lender requires advance fee payments via digital wallets before disbursing a loan. Any legitimate fee, such as an arrangement fee, is documented in writing and deducted from the loan or charged after disbursement — never collected via Skrill in advance.