Is a LinkedIn message saying I qualify for a business grant or government funding a scam?
Very likely yes. Unsolicited messages claiming you have been selected for a grant or business fund are a common advance-fee fraud delivered through professional networking platforms.
Last reviewed: 10 June 2026
Explanation
Grant fraud on LinkedIn exploits the professional credibility of the platform. Scammers create convincing profiles of grant administrators, economic development officers, or representatives of well-sounding foundations. They send personalised messages suggesting your business profile caught their attention and you qualify for a specific funding amount.
After expressing interest, you are told that a processing fee, government registration charge, or administrative deposit is required to release the grant. The amount escalates after each payment. In some versions, you are asked to provide detailed business and personal financial information which is then used for identity fraud.
Real government grants and business funding programmes do not work this way. They are applied for through published competitive processes, with clearly defined eligibility criteria, official application portals, and no upfront fees. Any 'grant' that requires you to pay money to receive money is a scam.
If you receive such a message, search the grant name and the organisation through government business support databases. In the US, grants.gov lists all federal grant opportunities. In the UK, businessfinanceguide.co.uk provides verified funding options.
Common red flags
- Unsolicited LinkedIn message saying you have been pre-selected
- Grant requires an upfront processing or registration fee
- The granting organisation cannot be verified in official government databases
- Application process is handled entirely through direct messages
- Urgency around a deadline before the grant is reallocated
- Fees increase after each payment with new obstacles to releasing funds
What to do now
- Do not pay any processing fees
- Search the grant name on official government funding databases
- Report the LinkedIn profile as fraudulent
- If you already paid fees, report to your bank and national fraud authority
- Contact your local small business development centre or equivalent for verified grant information
- File a report with the FTC, Action Fraud, or equivalent national body
Frequently asked questions
Are there real business grants I can apply for?
Yes. Government business grants are publicly advertised through official channels and require competitive applications, not fee payments. Your local economic development agency can direct you to legitimate programmes.
Why does the scammer message me on LinkedIn specifically?
LinkedIn provides detailed professional profiles that allow scammers to craft personalised-sounding messages and gives their own fraudulent profiles an air of professional legitimacy.