Focused Scam Guides
Page 39 of 42.
Fake Medicare Supplement Plan Scam via Direct Debit
Fake Medicare supplement sellers push victims to set up a recurring bank draft for 'premiums' that quietly continues even after the buyer realizes the plan is fake and tries to cancel.
PlatformAI Deepfake Job Candidate Scam on LinkedIn
Fabricated LinkedIn profiles built with AI-generated photos and resumes apply for remote roles, using deepfake video and stolen credentials to pass recruiting screens for jobs that give access to sensitive systems.
PlatformAI Deepfake Job Candidate Scam on Zoom
During live Zoom interviews, a real-time deepfake filter swaps a different person's face and voice onto the candidate's video feed, letting someone other than the actual applicant pass the screening.
PlatformAI-Generated Product Review Scam on Amazon
Sellers use AI text generators to flood Amazon listings with hundreds of fake five-star reviews written in varied styles, making low-quality or unsafe products look trustworthy to shoppers relying on star ratings.
PlatformAI Face-Swap KYC Bypass Scam on Crypto Exchange Apps
Fraudsters use AI face-swap tools over live selfie verification on cryptocurrency exchange apps to open accounts under stolen or synthetic identities, bypassing know-your-customer checks meant to block them.
PlatformAI Chatbot Phishing Assistant Scam on WhatsApp
A fake AI 'customer support assistant' on WhatsApp Business chats naturally with users, answering questions convincingly before steering them toward a phishing link or a direct request for payment details.
BrandAI Chatbot Phishing Scam Impersonating a Bank's Brand
A convincing AI chatbot dressed up in a bank's colors, logo, and tone answers questions like a real support assistant, then guides customers into a fake 'secure verification' flow that steals login credentials.
PaymentAI-Generated Fake Invoice Scam via Wire Transfer
AI tools generate realistic invoices matching a company's actual formatting and vendor history, then push finance staff to wire payment to a fraudulent account before the fake document is caught.
BrandAI-Generated Fake Invoice Scam Impersonating a Trusted Vendor Brand
Scammers use AI tools to recreate a familiar supplier's exact invoice branding and tone, exploiting the trust built up with that vendor to slip a fraudulent bill past a company's normal review process.
CountryFake Gas Safety Inspection Scam in the United Kingdom
Fraudsters posing as Gas Safe registered engineers cold-call UK households claiming an urgent legally required gas safety inspection is overdue, then charge for unnecessary work or fabricated certificates.
PlatformFake Purebred Registration Papers Scam on Facebook Marketplace
Sellers on Facebook Marketplace advertise 'papered' purebred puppies with registration documents that are forged, recycled from a different litter, or simply invented.
PaymentFake Purebred Registration Papers Scam via Zelle
Puppy sellers who promise registration papers frequently insist on Zelle deposits, exploiting the fact that Zelle payments settle instantly and offer no buyer dispute process.
PlatformRare Bird & Reptile Import Permit Scam on Instagram
Instagram accounts showcasing exotic parrots, tortoises, or snakes offer to 'handle the import permit' for buyers, collecting fees for paperwork that is fabricated or never filed.
PlatformFake Pet Rescue Charity Donation Scam on Facebook
Facebook pages and groups posing as animal rescues post emotional photos of injured or abandoned animals to solicit donations for care that is never provided.
PaymentFake Pet Rescue Charity Donation Scam via PayPal
Fake rescue appeals often direct donors to send money via PayPal's 'friends and family' option, which strips away the buyer protection a genuine charity donation would not need but a scam relies on.
PlatformPet DNA Health Test Kit Scam on TikTok
TikTok ads and sponsored videos push cheap 'pet DNA health test kits' that promise breed and disease-risk results but deliver inaccurate reports, spam subscriptions, or nothing at all.
PlatformFake Customs Duty Parcel Release Scam on SMS
Text messages claiming a parcel is stuck at customs pending a small duty payment lead recipients to fake payment pages that harvest card details.
BrandFake Customs Duty Parcel Release Scam Impersonating the DHL Brand
Scammers frequently impersonate the DHL brand in fake customs release messages because DHL's international shipping role makes customs duty stories especially believable.
PlatformFake Shipping Label Generator Scam on Facebook Groups
Reseller and small-business Facebook groups are used to advertise heavily discounted shipping labels generated through compromised or fraudulent courier accounts, which later get voided or clawed back.
PlatformUndelivered Package Fee Smishing Scam on SMS
Bulk text blasts claiming a package could not be delivered due to an unpaid fee direct recipients to phishing pages designed purely to harvest card data.
BrandUndelivered Package Fee Smishing Scam Impersonating the USPS Brand
The USPS brand is one of the most frequently impersonated in undelivered package fee smishing texts because nearly every US household regularly expects mail or parcels from it.
PlatformFake Package Tracking Update Scam on Email
Emails mimicking courier tracking notifications lure recipients into clicking malicious links or attachments disguised as shipment status updates.
BrandFake Package Tracking Update Scam Impersonating the FedEx Brand
FedEx's brand is regularly impersonated in fake tracking update messages because its purple-and-orange logo and delivery notification format are widely recognized and easy to imitate.
PlatformFreight Forwarding Invoice Scam via Business Email Compromise
Scammers compromise or spoof a freight forwarder's email thread to insert a fraudulent invoice with altered payment details into an ongoing shipping transaction.
PaymentFreight Forwarding Invoice Scam via Wire Transfer
Wire transfer is the payment method fraudulent freight forwarding invoices always demand, since it moves large sums quickly across borders with almost no way to reverse it once sent.
BrandFake Courier Insurance Claim Scam Impersonating the UPS Brand
Scammers impersonate the UPS brand to contact people about a supposed shipment insurance claim, using the promise of a payout to extract fees or banking details.
PlatformCertified Mail Legal Notice Scam on Phone Calls
Callers claim a certified legal notice or court document is waiting for pickup or delivery and pressure the recipient to pay a fee or share personal details over the phone to 'release' it.
PlatformFake Delivery Driver Tip Scam on Delivery Apps
Messages posing as a delivery app or driver ask customers to send an additional cash tip directly outside the app after the order is already complete, bypassing the platform's real tipping system.
PaymentFake Delivery Driver Tip Scam via Venmo
Scammers posing as delivery drivers ask customers to send a follow-up tip through Venmo, using its easy, casual person-to-person transfer style to make an out-of-app request feel normal.
PlatformOverpayment Shipping Refund Scam on Facebook Marketplace
A Facebook Marketplace buyer sends a payment for more than the agreed price, claiming it covers 'extra shipping,' then asks the seller to refund the difference before the original payment is discovered to be fake or reversible.
BrandFake Mailbox Relocation Scam Impersonating the USPS Brand
Messages impersonating the USPS brand claim a resident's mailbox or mail delivery point must be 'relocated' or 'verified' for a fee, exploiting trust in USPS's role as the default mail carrier.
BrandFake USCIS Case Status Fee Scam Impersonating the USCIS Brand
Scammers impersonate the USCIS brand to contact applicants about a pending case status, demanding an unexpected fee to 'unlock' or 'expedite' the outcome.
PlatformFake USCIS Case Status Fee Scam on Phone Calls
Callers posing as USCIS officers tell applicants their case has a problem requiring an immediate fee, using live pressure and spoofed caller ID to push a quick payment.
CountryFake ETA/eVisa Travel Authorization Scam Targeting Travelers to the United Kingdom
Third-party websites impersonate the UK's official Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system, charging inflated fees for a service travelers could get directly from the government at the real price.
PlatformFake ETA/eVisa Travel Authorization Scam on Google Search Ads
Paid Google search ads place unofficial travel authorization websites above official government results, capturing travelers before they find the real, cheaper application page.
PaymentFake Immigration Bond Payment Scam via Wire Transfer
Scammers posing as immigration officials or bond agents demand a detained individual's family wire money quickly to secure release, exploiting the panic of a detention situation.
PlatformFake Job Sponsorship Visa Scam on LinkedIn
Fake recruiters on LinkedIn offer jobs with visa sponsorship attached, then request upfront fees for 'sponsorship processing' or 'visa filing' that a real employer would never charge a candidate.
PlatformFake Marriage Green Card Broker Scam on Facebook Groups
Private Facebook groups marketed as immigration support communities are used by brokers to arrange fraudulent marriages for green card purposes, collecting large fees while exposing participants to serious legal risk.
PlatformAI Trading Bot Referral Scheme Scam on Telegram
Telegram groups promote an 'AI trading bot' that supposedly generates guaranteed returns, structured as a referral scheme where existing members earn commissions for recruiting new depositors.
PaymentAI Trading Bot Referral Scheme Scam via Cryptocurrency
AI trading bot schemes require deposits in cryptocurrency, exploiting its irreversibility and the difficulty of tracing funds once they move through multiple wallets.
PlatformStock Tip Signal Group MLM Scam on WhatsApp
WhatsApp groups offering 'exclusive' stock or crypto trading signals charge subscription fees and push a recruitment-based commission structure disguised as investment education.
PlatformFake Dropshipping Mentorship Scam on TikTok
TikTok influencers showcase extravagant lifestyles supposedly funded by dropshipping success, selling expensive mentorship courses that deliver generic, outdated, or plagiarized content.
PaymentFake Dropshipping Mentorship Scam via Credit Card
Dropshipping mentorship sellers process payment by credit card, often structuring checkout to include hidden recurring charges or upsells that are difficult to notice or cancel.
PlatformTicket Reselling MLM Scam on Facebook
Facebook groups built around concert and sports ticket flipping are a common recruiting ground for ticket reselling MLM schemes that push paid 'reseller tiers' rather than real inventory.
PaymentTicket Reselling MLM Scam via Zelle
Ticket reselling MLM recruiters favor Zelle for enrollment fees because its instant, hard-to-reverse transfers mimic a casual favor between acquaintances rather than a business payment.
PlatformEnergy Utility MLM Recruitment Scam on Facebook
Energy and utility MLM recruiters use Facebook posts and community groups to frame a deregulated-energy sales pitch as a low-effort income opportunity for friends and family.
CountryEnergy Utility MLM Recruitment Scam in the United States
Energy utility MLM recruitment schemes concentrate in U.S. states with deregulated retail electricity markets, where the existence of legitimate competing suppliers gives the pitch a veneer of plausibility.
PlatformDriver's License Identity Theft Scam via SMS/Text Message
Fraudsters send text messages impersonating a state motor vehicle department to trick recipients into photographing and submitting their driver's license for identity theft.
BrandDriver's License Identity Theft Scam Impersonating the DMV Brand
Scammers impersonate the recognizable DMV brand and logo to lend false authority to fake portals that harvest driver's license images and personal data.
PlatformFake Paid Verification Badge Scam on Instagram
Scammers impersonate Instagram's Meta Verified program through DMs and ads, tricking users into paying fake fees or handing over login credentials for a badge that never arrives.
PlatformFake Paid Verification Badge Scam on X (Twitter)
Scammers exploit confusion around X's paid checkmark system to sell fake 'verification services' or phish account credentials from users trying to get verified.
PlatformReels Monetization Scam on Instagram
Scammers pose as Instagram partnership or bonus program representatives, promising Reels creators inflated payouts in exchange for an upfront 'activation' fee or account login.
PlatformShorts Monetization Scam on YouTube
Fraudsters impersonate YouTube's Partner Program or Shorts fund to lure creators into fake 'early payout' schemes that require a fee or channel login before any money is released.
PlatformDM Crypto Giveaway Hijack Scam on X (Twitter)
Scammers hijack or impersonate X accounts, including verified ones, to DM followers with fake crypto giveaways that require sending funds first to 'unlock' a larger return.
PlatformDM Crypto Giveaway Hijack Scam on Instagram
Compromised or cloned Instagram accounts DM followers and comment on posts claiming a crypto giveaway, using the appearance of a trusted friend or public figure's account to lower guard.
PlatformFake Brand Ambassador Application Scam on Instagram
Scammers pose as brand marketing teams DMing Instagram users with 'ambassador' offers that require an upfront product purchase, kit fee, or personal financial details.
PlatformFake Brand Ambassador Application Scam on TikTok
Scammers target TikTok creators through comments and DMs with fake brand ambassador offers tied to viral trends, requiring an upfront fee before any real partnership exists.
PlatformComment Tag Malware Link Scam on Facebook
Compromised Facebook accounts mass-tag friends in comments containing malware links disguised as shocking photos, videos, or 'is this you?' messages.
CountryFake FAFSA Financial Aid Fee Scam in the United States
Scammers target U.S. students and families with fake sites and services charging a fee to 'process' or 'guarantee' FAFSA federal financial aid that is actually free to apply for.
PaymentFake FAFSA Financial Aid Fee Scam via Gift Cards
Some fake FAFSA processing schemes escalate from a card-based 'fee' to demanding gift cards for supposed penalties or expedited processing, exploiting the untraceable nature of gift card codes.
CountryFake University Acceptance Deposit Scam in the United States
Scammers target prospective students, especially international applicants to U.S. universities, with fake acceptance letters demanding an enrollment deposit before any real admission occurs.
PaymentFake University Acceptance Deposit Scam via Wire Transfer
Fake acceptance letter scammers favor international wire transfers for deposit payments because wires are fast, largely irreversible, and plausible for genuinely overseas university payments.
PlatformFake Textbook Rental Marketplace Scam on Facebook Marketplace
Scammers list textbook rentals on Facebook Marketplace and campus buy-sell groups at prices below every real rental service, collecting payment for books they never ship.
PaymentFake Textbook Rental Marketplace Scam via Zelle
Textbook rental scammers push students toward Zelle payments because the instant, hard-to-reverse transfers close off any recourse once a listed book fails to arrive.
PlatformFake Tutoring Subscription Scam on TikTok
TikTok ads and creator promotions push fake tutoring or study-help subscriptions that auto-renew at high rates and make cancellation deliberately difficult.
PaymentFake Tutoring Subscription Scam via Credit Card
Fake tutoring subscriptions rely on stored credit card details to auto-renew at inflated rates long after the advertised trial period, betting that most users won't notice or dispute the charge.
CountryFake Education Government Grant Scam in the United States
Scammers impersonate U.S. federal and state education grant programs, claiming students or families qualify for free money that requires an upfront processing fee to release.
PaymentFake Education Government Grant Scam via Gift Cards
Fake education grant scammers demand gift cards as the 'processing fee' to release supposed government aid, exploiting the untraceable and non-refundable nature of gift card codes.
PlatformFake Student Housing Abroad Scam on Facebook Marketplace
Scammers list nonexistent apartments and student rooms near popular study-abroad universities on Facebook Marketplace, collecting deposits from students who can't view the property in person.
CountryFake Student Housing Abroad Scam in the United Kingdom
The UK's large international student population and competitive university-town rental markets make it a frequent target for fake student housing listings demanding deposits sight unseen.
PlatformFake Internship Placement Fee Scam on LinkedIn
Scammers post fake internship listings and recruiter messages on LinkedIn demanding a placement or processing fee before an offer is finalized, exploiting the platform's professional credibility.
PaymentFake Internship Placement Fee Scam via Wire Transfer
Fake internship scammers request wire transfers for placement fees because wires are fast and largely irreversible, especially appealing when targeting students relocating for a program.
PaymentFake Professional Certification Renewal Scam via Credit Card
Scammers send renewal notices for professional certifications demanding immediate credit card payment, exploiting professionals' fear of letting a real credential lapse.
BrandFake Professional Certification Renewal Scam Impersonating a Certification Board Brand
Scammers closely copy the branding and official language of professional certification boards to make fraudulent renewal notices indistinguishable at a glance from the real thing.
CountryHousing Voucher Assistance Scam in the United States
Scammers exploit long waitlists for U.S. federal housing voucher programs like Section 8 by charging fees for fake expedited applications or nonexistent voucher availability.
PlatformHousing Voucher Assistance Scam on Facebook
Scammers use Facebook groups and ads targeting low-income renters to promise fast-tracked housing vouchers or guaranteed landlord matches in exchange for an upfront fee.
PlatformFake Game Gift Card Code Scam on Discord
Scammers in gaming Discord servers offer discounted or 'free' game platform gift card codes, either delivering invalid codes after payment or stealing funds through a fake generator tool.
PaymentFake Game Gift Card Code Scam via Gift Cards
Scammers ask victims to pay for discounted game gift card codes using a different retailer's gift card, creating a layered scam where the payment method itself is also untraceable.
PlatformSteam Trade Link Hijack Scam on Discord
Scammers in gaming Discord servers trick users into sharing Steam trade links or session tokens through fake trading bots and 'skin checker' tools, hijacking real trades to steal inventory items.
BrandSteam Trade Link Hijack Scam Impersonating the Steam Brand
Scammers replicate Steam's login pages and trade interface closely to trick users into handing over credentials or session access under the guise of official Steam trading tools.
BrandFake Game Refund Support Scam Impersonating the Steam Brand
Scammers impersonate Steam Support to process fake refunds, tricking users into remote access sessions or overpayment schemes disguised as legitimate refund processing.
PlatformFake Game Refund Support Scam on Discord
Scammers pose as game publisher or platform support staff in Discord DMs, offering to process a refund in exchange for remote access or account details that lead to further theft.
PlatformGacha Top-Up Discount Scam on TikTok
TikTok videos and comment sections promote fake discounted in-game currency top-ups for gacha games, collecting payment through third-party sites that never deliver the promised currency.
PaymentGacha Top-Up Discount Scam via Gift Cards
Gacha top-up scammers demand payment in the form of unrelated retail gift cards for discounted in-game currency, exploiting how normal it feels for players to already use gift cards for game purchases.
PlatformFake Game Tester Paid Job Scam on Discord
Scammers recruit game testers through Discord DMs and server postings, requiring an upfront equipment or verification fee before any paid testing work materializes.
PaymentFake Game Tester Paid Job Scam via Wire Transfer
Fake game tester job scammers ask new hires to wire an upfront 'equipment' or 'software license' fee before any real testing work or pay begins, relying on the irreversibility of wire transfers.
PlatformConsole Pre-order Marketplace Scam on Facebook Marketplace
Scammers list hard-to-find gaming console pre-orders or bundles on Facebook Marketplace at below-retail prices, collect payment, and never ship anything.
PaymentConsole Pre-order Marketplace Scam via Zelle
Sellers of fake console pre-orders push buyers toward Zelle because its bank-to-bank transfers settle instantly and carry no buyer protection or chargeback option.
PlatformFake Appliance Repair Technician Scam on Google Search Ads
Fraudulent repair operations buy Google Search ads for terms like 'fridge repair near me' to intercept panicked homeowners before legitimate local businesses appear.
PlatformSolar Panel Installation Deposit Scam on Facebook Ads
Fake solar companies run Facebook and Instagram ad campaigns promising government rebates and free installations to collect large upfront deposits before vanishing.
PaymentSolar Panel Installation Deposit Scam via Certified Check
Some solar sales reps insist on a certified check or cashier's check for the deposit, presenting it as 'safer' when it actually removes the homeowner's ability to stop payment.
PaymentLeftover Asphalt Material Doorstep Scam via Cash
Doorstep paving crews claiming to have 'leftover asphalt' from a nearby job insist on immediate cash payment before driving off, leaving homeowners with no receipt or recourse.
PlatformCarpet & Upholstery Cleaning Bait Scam on Facebook Ads
Cleaning companies run Facebook ads advertising a flat 'whole house' cleaning price to get technicians in the door, then upsell aggressively once on site.
CountryFake Window Replacement Grant Scam in the United Kingdom
In the UK, this scam exploits public awareness of real government-backed energy efficiency schemes, using their names to convince homeowners that free or subsidized window replacement is available.
PlatformFake Window Replacement Grant Scam on Facebook
Facebook posts and ads claiming homeowners qualify for a government-funded window replacement program collect personal details through lead forms before a sales call pushes a full-price contract.
PlatformFake Plumbing Emergency Overcharge Scam on Google Search Ads
Predatory plumbing operations buy Google Search ads targeting urgent searches like 'emergency plumber near me' to intercept panicked homeowners and charge inflated after-hours rates.