Pension Scams via Skrill
How pension liberation fraudsters use Skrill to collect upfront fees from savers persuaded to access their retirement funds early.
Part of: Pension Scams
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Pension scams convince savers — often those facing financial pressure — that they can access their pension funds early for a fee. The scammer may pose as a pension liberator, an investment adviser, or a government agent, and once the saver agrees to the scheme they are asked to pay an upfront admin fee via Skrill to trigger the release.
In many countries accessing pension funds before the legal retirement age incurs significant tax penalties, and fraudulent pension liberators often pocket the fee without completing any transaction, leaving victims facing both the loss and potential tax liabilities.
How this scam works on Skrill
The scammer contacts pension holders by phone or email, offering to help them access pension funds early or transfer them to a high-return investment. Before anything is processed, an admin fee must be paid via Skrill. After payment, the scammer either disappears or strings the victim along with fake documentation while the pension remains inaccessible.
In some cases the scammer does arrange a transfer — but to a fraudulent investment vehicle — and the victim loses both the Skrill fee and a significant portion of their pension savings.
Older victims may be specifically targeted because they are more likely to hold substantial pension balances.
Common red flags
- An unsolicited contact offers to help you access your pension early for a Skrill fee
- The service is offered without a face-to-face meeting or regulated advice
- The investment return promised is far higher than any regulated product
- You are urged to keep the arrangement confidential from family
- The Skrill account belongs to an individual rather than a regulated financial firm
- You are pressured to make a decision before seeking independent advice
How to protect yourself
- Never pay a Skrill fee to access, transfer, or invest pension funds
- Verify any pension adviser with your country's financial services regulator
- Seek independent regulated financial advice before making any pension decision
- Contact Skrill fraud support immediately if a payment was already made
- Report the contact to your national pension protection body
- Discuss any pension offer with a trusted family member or independent adviser
How to report it
- Report the fraudulent Skrill account to Skrill's fraud team
- Report to your national pension protection authority and financial regulator
- File a report with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or your country's equivalent
Frequently asked questions
Is it ever legal to access a pension early by paying a fee?
In most countries early pension access outside defined circumstances involves significant tax charges and is regulated. No legitimate adviser uses Skrill to collect access fees. Anyone promising easy early access in exchange for a digital wallet payment is operating outside the law.