Loading…
Loading…
Common, costly scams that frequently cause significant financial loss. (578 scam types.)
A caller claims a family member has been seriously injured in an accident and that the victim must send money immediately to cover medical treatment or transport. The accident is invented.
Identity Theft & Data ScamsCriminals use stolen personal data to open bank accounts, credit cards, loans, or utility services in your name — spending freely before the debt lands on your credit file. You may have no idea until a lender or debt collector contacts you.
Gaming ScamsServices that promise to recover a locked account or improve a player's rank by accessing their credentials — then steal the account or extort payment.
Social Media & Account TakeoverFake 'recovery specialists' who charge fees or steal credentials while pretending to help restore a locked or hacked account.
Crypto & Web3 ScamsScammers send tiny transactions from addresses that look identical to your regular contacts, hoping you will copy the wrong address for future transfers.
Legal & Immigration ScamsFraudsters posing as expectant mothers or as adoption agencies collect 'expenses' and fees from hopeful adoptive parents for a placement that was never going to happen.
Adult & Creator-Platform ScamsFraudulent platforms or impersonated support accounts charge creators upfront 'verification' or 'compliance' fees to activate an account that either doesn't exist or never actually launches.
Finance ScamsPromises of a large payout — inheritance, prize, contract or fund — that require fees paid upfront first.
Finance ScamsScammers infiltrate a close-knit community — religious, ethnic, professional, or social — and exploit the trust members share to sell fraudulent investments.
AI-Era ScamsScammers embed convincing AI chatbots into fake websites and messaging apps to answer victims' questions in real time, building false trust and extracting money or personal data far more effectively than a static scam page.
AI-Era ScamsFraudulent AI services that simulate deceased loved ones or long-term companionship to extract recurring payments from vulnerable users.
AI-Era ScamsAI-generated CVs and deepfake interview candidates used to infiltrate jobs, steal data, or receive salaries fraudulently.
AI-Era ScamsFraudulent job applicants use AI face filters, voice changers, and fabricated credentials to pass video interviews and win remote roles, then exploit the access for pay fraud, data theft, or to launder funds for a hidden third party.
AI-Era ScamsAI chatbots that simulate a romantic partner at scale to groom victims toward payments.
AI-Era ScamsSubscription services claiming AI algorithms generate profitable trading signals, backed by fabricated performance records and paid testimonials.
AI-Era ScamsDeepfake videos and images of celebrities 'endorsing' investments or giveaways.
AI-Era ScamsAI-generated disaster imagery, fabricated victim stories, and cloned charity branding used to divert donations to criminals.
AI-Era ScamsFraudsters use AI to produce highly convincing fake invoices — matching a real supplier's branding, tone, and billing history — that trick businesses and individuals into paying money to the wrong account.
AI-Era ScamsAI builds entire fake e-commerce stores at scale — products, reviews, and policies — to take payment for goods that never arrive.
Finance ScamsHigh-pressure "free pension review" and rollover pitches steer savers into moving retirement funds out of sound plans and into unsuitable, high-commission, illiquid, or outright bogus products — a suitability con where the transfer itself is the trap, dressed as advice.
Subscription & Billing ScamsSecurity software companies or scammers impersonating them charge far above market rate at renewal, use alarming pop-ups to prevent cancellation, or bill for licences on devices you no longer use.
Job & Income Scams'Get paid to review apps' offers that mirror task scams, requiring deposits to unlock earnings.
Subscription & Billing ScamsDeceptive apps on official app stores charge disproportionately high subscription fees after short free trials, relying on users not noticing the cost before the trial ends.
Finance ScamsHigh-pressure sellers market overpriced or fake art, prints, coins, and memorabilia as investments with promised buy-backs; real resale values are a fraction of the price, and no regulator covers the loss.
Payment Card & ATM FraudA thin sleeve or loop hidden in the card slot physically traps your card inside the ATM so it appears swallowed. A 'helpful' stranger watches you re-enter your PIN, then retrieves the card once you leave.
Payment Card & ATM FraudCriminals attach hidden reading devices and cameras to cash machines to copy your card data and PIN, then drain your account with a cloned card.
Street & In-Person ScamsA stranger 'helps' at a cash machine that seems stuck, watches or films your PIN, then swaps or retains your card through distraction or a tampered slot — walking away with both the card and the code that unlocks it.
Imposter & Emergency ScamsA caller claims a family member has been arrested and needs bail money sent urgently before they can be released. The arrest is entirely fabricated.
Travel ScamsVenues lure tourists in with cheap drinks or a free show, then present an enormous bill enforced by intimidation, with hostess drinks and hidden charges doing the inflating.
Benefits & Welfare ScamsText messages claim a recipient's benefits have been suspended and must be 'reactivated' via a link, harvesting login credentials and personal data.
Government Impersonation ScamsFraudulent messages impersonating benefits agencies demand recipients re-verify eligibility or update payment details to continue receiving payments, harvesting personal and banking data.
Identity Theft & Data ScamsCriminals file fraudulent unemployment or government benefit claims using stolen identities, collecting payments on prepaid cards while the real identity owner — often still employed — is left to untangle tax forms and agency records showing benefits they never received.
Finance ScamsFraudulent 'all-or-nothing' trading platforms that manipulate outcomes to ensure you lose and block withdrawals.
Crypto & Web3 ScamsScammers running impersonation, tech-support, or romance cons steer victims to feed cash into a Bitcoin ATM and scan a QR code — sending an instant, irreversible payment straight to the fraudster's wallet.
Street & In-Person ScamsA con artist shows a trunk of banknotes dyed black to "hide" them from customs, cleans one note with a magic chemical before your eyes, then sells you the chemical or a share of the stash. The notes are blank paper and no chemical exists.
Faith & Religious ScamsA confidence scam in which victims are persuaded to exchange their own money or valuables for supposedly 'blessed' cash or objects that are later found to be worthless or stolen outright.
Finance ScamsHigh-pressure sales operations that cold-call investors to push worthless, overpriced, or non-existent shares and investments.
Extortion & Blackmail ScamsMass-distributed emails or messages claim a bomb has been planted in the recipient's building and will be detonated unless a payment is made within hours. These are fabricated threats with no explosive device.
Gambling & Betting ScamsPhishing messages impersonating a genuine, licensed bookmaker's account verification or KYC process to steal login credentials and identity documents.
Utility & Energy ScamsFraudsters pose as broadband providers offering a free or heavily subsidised router upgrade, then use the visit or call to install malware, steal credentials, or charge hidden fees.
Business ScamsA scammer posing as a customer or client deliberately 'overpays' a business by cheque or transfer, then requests a refund of the difference before the original payment bounces or is reversed.
Finance ScamsFraudsters exploit buy now pay later services to make purchases with stolen identity data, leaving victims liable for debt they never incurred.
Job & Income ScamsScammers pose as companies offering to pay drivers to wrap their cars with brand advertising, then send an overpayment cheque and ask the victim to forward money to a 'vehicle wrap installer.'
Finance ScamsFraudulent investment schemes that sell worthless, non-existent, or unregistered carbon credits as a high-return alternative investment.
Payment Card & ATM FraudCriminals copy stolen card data onto counterfeit cards and spend or withdraw cash as you, while your real card never leaves your wallet.
Finance ScamsScammers pose as Cash App customer support through search ads, fake numbers, and social replies, then phish your login, card and PIN, or a screen-share session from users trying to fix a locked account or missing payment.
Finance ScamsCash App "money flip" offers, fake $Cashtag giveaways, and blessing-loom money circles all promise to multiply the money you send. There is no flip: the money you send is gone instantly and is almost never recoverable.
Gambling & Betting ScamsCasinos, real or entirely fabricated, that demand an upfront 'tax', 'customs', or 'processing' fee before releasing a player's winnings — a fee that, once paid, never results in payment.
Romance & Relationship ScamsFalse identities built using stolen photos and invented lives to manipulate emotions and extract money or information.
Mail & Courier FraudFake certified mail or legal notices claim a pending court case, debt, or tax matter, pressuring recipients to pay an urgent 'settlement' by phone or online before the issue supposedly escalates.
MLM, Pyramid & Hustle ScamsSchemes where participants send money to names on a list, add their own name, and forward the message with the promise of receiving money from future participants — mathematically unsustainable and illegal in most jurisdictions.
Identity Theft & Data ScamsA fraudster submits a change-of-address request in your name to your postal service, redirecting your mail — including bank statements, replacement cards, and government correspondence — to an address they control.
Mail & Courier FraudFraudsters intercept checks in transit — often by compromising postal workers, mail facilities, or using fraudulent mail-forwarding requests — and divert them for cashing.
Mail & Courier FraudCriminals intercept mailed checks, chemically erase the ink, and rewrite the payee name and amount before cashing or depositing them fraudulently.
Benefits & Welfare ScamsPhishing messages impersonate the child benefit agency, claiming payments are paused unless parents 'update' their bank or personal details through a fake link.
Gaming ScamsScams and manipulative practices targeting children into making real-money purchases in or around games without parental awareness.
Home Services & Contractor ScamsDoor-to-door or coupon-based chimney and air duct cleaners charge a low initial fee, then cite false safety violations or excessive buildup to demand hundreds more, performing little or no actual cleaning.
Payment Card & ATM FraudA paper-thin device hidden inside a card reader records your chip card's data during a normal transaction, leaving no visible sign of tampering.
Faith & Religious ScamsFraudulent capital campaigns that solicit donations for a new church building, renovation, or expansion project that is exaggerated, stalled indefinitely, or entirely invented.
Insurance ScamsFraudsters charge upfront fees to resubmit, reprocess, or escalate an insurance or benefits claim — then disappear without delivering any service.
AI-Era ScamsPixel-perfect copies of real company sites used for phishing, fake sales, or fake support.
Tech ScamsPhishing emails and texts claiming your iCloud, Google Drive, or OneDrive storage is full, tricking you into entering credentials on a fake login page or paying for fake storage upgrades.
Social Media & Account TakeoverCompromised accounts mass-tag friends in comments with a shocking or curiosity-driven link that installs malware or steals credentials, then uses the newly infected account to repeat the cycle against its own contacts.
Gaming ScamsSellers on marketplaces and social media take payment for preorders of highly anticipated consoles or limited hardware bundles that are never delivered, exploiting scarcity around launch periods.
Adult & Creator-Platform ScamsA fake message impersonating a platform's payout team claims a creator's earnings are held pending verification, harvesting banking details or a small fee before the fraud is discovered.
Social Media & Account TakeoverFake copyright or community-standards notices that panic creators into handing over account credentials or paying to 'resolve' the strike.
Benefits & Welfare ScamsScammers impersonate government cost-of-living support schemes, sending fake eligibility messages that harvest bank details or charge a fee to 'release' a payment.
Benefits & Welfare ScamsFraudulent messages claim a council tax refund or rebate is owed, directing recipients to a fake portal that harvests bank details.
Insurance ScamsOrganised fraudsters deliberately cause road collisions or fabricate accidents to make exaggerated or entirely false insurance claims — raising premiums for all honest drivers.
Adult & Creator-Platform ScamsA fake tax-form update notice, styled to look like a platform's compliance center, pressures creators into submitting their Social Security or tax ID number and banking details on a phishing page under threat of withheld earnings.
Identity Theft & Data ScamsCriminals take username and password pairs leaked in data breaches and automatically try them across hundreds of websites, exploiting the widespread habit of password reuse to gain access to bank accounts, e-commerce wallets, and loyalty programmes.
Tech ScamsAutomated tools test billions of username-and-password pairs stolen from data breaches across hundreds of services simultaneously, silently taking over accounts where victims reused passwords.
Insurance ScamsFraudsters pose as agricultural insurance agents to collect premiums for farming cover that is never placed with a real insurer, or manipulate farmers into policies with exclusions that make every claim ineligible.
Crypto & Web3 ScamsFraudulent accounts impersonating major cryptocurrency exchanges or wallets announce giveaways requiring users to send crypto first to receive double back — and keep everything sent.
Crypto & Web3 ScamsFake celebrity or exchange giveaways that promise to double your crypto if you send it first — and keep everything sent.
Crypto & Web3 ScamsAttackers accumulate or flash-loan governance tokens to pass malicious proposals that drain a protocol's treasury, alter fee structures, or mint new tokens to an attacker-controlled wallet.
Telecom & Account ScamsScammers claim to have obtained your personal data, passwords, or compromising material from a breach and threaten to share it unless you pay — often in cryptocurrency.
Finance ScamsFraudsters impersonate legitimate debt collectors or court officers, threatening legal action or arrest to pressure victims into paying debts they do not owe — or overpaying real debts to fake collection accounts.
Bereavement & Inheritance ScamsFraudsters contact surviving family members claiming the deceased owed a debt that must be paid immediately, exploiting confusion about what obligations, if any, actually transfer after death.
Bereavement & Inheritance ScamsScammers exploit the window between a death and a financial institution being notified to gain unauthorized access to the deceased's real bank, investment, or trading accounts and drain them directly.
Identity Theft & Data ScamsFraudsters use the identity of a recently deceased person to open credit accounts, file tax returns, or claim benefits before the death is formally recorded in financial and government databases — a practice known as 'ghosting'.
Auto & Vehicle ScamsFraudsters request a small deposit before allowing a buyer to view a vehicle, then disappear with the money and the viewing never takes place.
Insurance ScamsFraudsters charge vulnerable disabled individuals fees for government benefit applications, make false promises about entitlement, or commit identity fraud using their personal details.
Benefits & Welfare ScamsScammers target people with disabilities using fake 'grant approval' messages and upfront fee demands tied to disability benefit programs.
Charity & Disaster ScamsFraudulent appeals exploiting floods, earthquakes, conflicts, and other crises to divert emergency donations away from genuine relief efforts.
Street & In-Person ScamsThieves working in teams stage a spill, question, or commotion to occupy your attention while an accomplice lifts your wallet, phone, or bag.
Finance ScamsScammers contact investors who have lost money in collapsed companies or unpaid dividends and claim they can recover the funds — for an advance fee that is itself the fraud.
Tech ScamsA fake "you have a document to review and sign" email or text impersonates DocuSign, Adobe Sign, or a similar service. Urgency and a spoofed brand steer you toward a lookalike login page or a malicious file, where the real target is your password, your 2FA code, or a foothold in your inbox.
Extortion & Blackmail ScamsA scammer threatens to publish a victim's private personal information — home address, workplace, phone number, family details — unless a ransom is paid or demands are met.
Identity Theft & Data ScamsA stolen or cloned driver's license lets a criminal pass as you at check-cashing counters, car rental desks, and traffic stops, leaving you with someone else's tickets, warrants, and a corrupted driving record.
Home Services & Contractor ScamsTraveling contractors offer cheap driveway paving or sealcoating using leftover materials, collect a large deposit or full payment, then deliver shoddy work or vanish entirely.
Ticket & Event ScamsA single valid ticket is photographed, copied, or forwarded and sold to multiple buyers, with only whoever scans first at the gate actually gaining entry.
Payment Card & ATM FraudCriminals hide skimmers on checkout terminals and ATMs to copy the magnetic stripe and PIN from EBT and benefit cards, clone them onto blank cards, and drain food or cash benefits — often within hours of the funds loading.
Benefits & Welfare ScamsFraudulent texts and calls impersonate food assistance programs to trick recipients into revealing their EBT card number and PIN, which are then used to drain benefits.
Education & Student ScamsFraudulent services promising to reduce, settle, or manage private student debt or tuition arrears in exchange for upfront fees.
Identity Theft & Data ScamsA fraudster uses your name and national identifier to obtain employment, earning income under your identity — leaving you with unexpected tax liabilities, social security discrepancies, and potential criminal record entries you did not generate.
Online Shopping ScamsSellers dispatch empty packaging or worthless filler to defeat non-delivery disputes while keeping payment.
Benefits & Welfare ScamsFraudulent messages claim recipients qualify for a government energy rebate and request bank details or an upfront fee to release the payment.
Utility & Energy ScamsFraudsters sell discounted prepayment energy codes that are stolen, duplicated, or fraudulent — leaving buyers without credit and potentially liable for theft.
Utility & Energy ScamsFake or unscrupulous energy brokers and switching services that pocket commissions without finding the best deal, or sign businesses up to long contracts with hidden fees.
Gambling & Betting ScamsUnregulated third-party sites that let users bet virtual game skins on esports matches or games of chance, often with rigged odds and phishing schemes designed to steal skin inventories.
Bereavement & Inheritance ScamsScammers claim a deceased person's bank or investment account is 'frozen' or 'locked' and demand a fee from the family to release funds — a step no genuine bank ever requires.
Auto & Vehicle ScamsFraudulent QR codes and cloned apps at electric vehicle charging points trick drivers into entering payment details on lookalike sites or installing malicious apps.
Ticket & Event ScamsScammers falsely claim a still-happening event has been cancelled to trick genuine ticket holders into handing over their valid ticket or login details for a bogus refund.
Tech ScamsFake Wi-Fi hotspots mimicking real ones to intercept logins, steal data, and serve phishing pages.
Education & Student ScamsFraudsters pose as exam invigilators, test administrators, or insiders offering to guarantee pass results for an upfront payment — and take the money without delivering anything.
Pet & Animal ScamsSellers advertise rare or exotic animals — parrots, reptiles, big cats, primates — that do not exist, collecting deposits and escalating fees before disappearing.
Online Shopping ScamsFacebook Marketplace's buy-and-sell hub attracts a whole ecosystem of cons — fake listings, "is this still available" bait, off-platform payment demands, shipping tricks, deposit scams, and code-harvesting — hitting buyers and sellers alike.
Romance & Relationship ScamsPlans to finally meet that always require you to fund tickets, visas or fees — then collapse.
MLM, Pyramid & Hustle ScamsSchemes structured as affiliate marketing networks where meaningful income requires recruiting new affiliates rather than generating genuine product sales — a pyramid disguised with marketing terminology.
Adult & Creator-Platform ScamsA fake or exploitative agency recruits new creators with promises of guaranteed income and support, then charges upfront fees for training, equipment, or registration that deliver little value.
AI-Era ScamsCounterfeit "ChatGPT", "AI assistant", and "AI photo and video generator" apps and browser extensions impersonate real AI brands. They trap you in fleeceware subscriptions, steal logins and card details, hijack your browser, or quietly record everything you type.
Travel ScamsFraudsters posing as Airbnb hosts direct guests off the platform to pay a security deposit via bank transfer, then collect the payment and disappear.
Crypto & Web3 ScamsFraudulent token distribution announcements that lead to phishing sites or wallet-draining approval requests.
Travel ScamsImposter 'airline help' numbers and social accounts that steal payments and booking details.
Tech ScamsBogus 'your device is infected' warnings pushing paid 'security' software or support fees.
Tech ScamsMalicious apps that mimic real ones to steal logins, intercept codes, or drain accounts.
Home Services & Contractor ScamsUnlicensed or fraudulent 'technicians' dispatched through search ads or flyer numbers diagnose fake or exaggerated problems, charge for parts never installed, and disappear once paid.
Home Services & Contractor ScamsWorkers posing as tree care professionals solicit urgent tree removal or trimming, collect large upfront payments, and either do poor work, damage the property, or disappear without completing the job.
Extortion & Blackmail ScamsA caller impersonating police, a court, or a government agency claims there is an active arrest warrant against the victim and demands immediate payment to avoid arrest.
Identity Theft & Data ScamsFraudulent background check websites promise instant tenant, employee, or personal screening reports, but exist solely to harvest the Social Security numbers and payment details submitted by users and the people they are checking on.
Benefits & Welfare ScamsScammers pose as benefit agencies or 'application assistants' and charge upfront fees to file or fast-track a welfare claim that is actually free.
Utility & Energy ScamsCallers selling worthless or non-existent boiler and home emergency cover, or impersonating legitimate cover providers to harvest payments.
Travel ScamsBogus flight, hotel and package sites that take payment for reservations that don't exist.
Imposter & Emergency ScamsAn employee receives an urgent message appearing to come from their manager or company executive asking them to purchase gift cards on the company's behalf and share the codes. The request is fraudulent.
Ticket & Event ScamsScammers sell tickets by claiming they've reserved seats under the buyer's name at the venue's will-call or box office window, but no reservation ever exists.
Online Shopping ScamsSites posing as official brand 'outlet' or 'clearance' stores selling fakes or nothing at all.
Adult & Creator-Platform ScamsA fake brand representative offers a paid sponsorship deal that requires the creator to spend their own money upfront on products, promising reimbursement that never comes.
Auto & Vehicle ScamsFraudulent breakdown cover policies or opportunist roadside operators that charge for non-existent or overpriced recovery services, leaving motorists without genuine cover or out of pocket.
Utility & Energy ScamsFraudsters impersonating internet providers to charge fake upgrade fees, harvest account credentials, or gain remote computer access.
Finance ScamsImpersonation of regulated brokers, or entirely invented firms, to take deposits for trading or investing.
Online Shopping ScamsMalicious or deceptive browser extensions that claim to find discount codes but harvest data, inject ads, or hijack purchases.
Tech ScamsMalicious pages that display convincing browser update prompts to trick users into downloading malware disguised as a Chrome, Edge, or Firefox installer.
Business ScamsScammers posing as government grant programmes, foundations, or loan brokers promise small businesses "free money" or guaranteed funding — then charge upfront fees for grants that never arrive, or harvest the business's identity and banking details for fraud committed in its name.
Insurance ScamsSmall business owners are sold liability policies that appear to meet client or contract requirements but are unlicensed, fabricated, or worthless when a claim is made.
Business ScamsScammers advertise guaranteed business loans or free government grants, then charge upfront 'processing fees' or steal banking information without ever delivering funding.
Travel ScamsBogus 'your trip is cancelled, claim a refund' messages that steal card and banking details.
Tech Scams'Verify you are human' pages that trick you into running malware by pasting a command from your clipboard.
Auto & Vehicle ScamsBogus online vehicle auction sites, including fake government or police 'seized vehicle' auctions, charge buyers a registration or winning-bid deposit for vehicles that don't exist.
Auto & Vehicle ScamsScammers posing as vehicle buyers who overpay by cheque, then request a refund of the excess — leaving the seller out of pocket when the cheque bounces.
Travel ScamsFraudulent car hire sites and listings that take deposits for vehicles that aren't available — or add hidden charges at pickup.
Auto & Vehicle ScamsOnline vehicle sellers who are actually scammers introduce a fake transport or shipping company to extract additional fees after an initial deposit has been paid for a vehicle that does not exist.
Job & Income ScamsBogus childcare and elder-care job ads used for fake-cheque fraud, money muling, or identity theft from vulnerable carers.
Telecom & Account ScamsScammers send urgent texts, emails, or calls claiming your mobile or broadband bill is overdue and your service will be cut off within hours unless you pay immediately through a link or over the phone.
Telecom & Account ScamsFraudulent text messages impersonating your mobile carrier warn of account problems, unpaid bills, or security alerts to steal credentials or payment details through convincing fake portals.
Telecom & Account ScamsFraudsters impersonate your mobile carrier's customer support team to harvest account credentials, authorise fraudulent changes, or extract payment.
Crypto & Web3 ScamsFraudulent NFT projects that use a celebrity's name, image, or fabricated endorsement to attract buyers to a mint that either delivers worthless tokens or drains wallets.
Romance & Relationship ScamsScammers posing as famous people who build emotional relationships with fans before requesting money.
Telecom & Account ScamsScammers posing as telecom or tower-company representatives approach landowners with offers to lease their property for a new cell tower, collecting upfront 'processing fees' or pressuring an early buyout of an existing lease for far less than it's worth.
Imposter & Emergency ScamsAn employee receives a text message appearing to be from the company CEO asking for a confidential wire transfer or sensitive action. The message is fraudulent and exploits corporate authority.
Job & Income ScamsJob offers made conditional on purchasing a mandatory certification, training programme, or licence that is worthless or non-existent.
Lottery & Prize ScamsFraudulent prize draws that use charitable branding to sell tickets but never run a genuine draw and keep all proceeds without donating anything.
Charity & Disaster ScamsFraudulent 'charities' with convincing names and websites that collect donations and pass nothing to any genuine cause.
Job & Income ScamsYou're sent a cheque, asked to deposit it and forward part of the funds — then the cheque bounces.
Government Impersonation ScamsCallers posing as child support enforcement agencies threatening arrest or licence suspension to force payment or data.
Benefits & Welfare ScamsScammers pose as administrators of a childcare subsidy or voucher scheme, telling parents a registration or release fee must be paid before approved funding can be paid out.
Charity & Disaster ScamsFraudulent organisations that use images and stories of children in need to solicit donations that never reach any child welfare cause.
Health & Medical ScamsFraudulent notices recruiting participants for fake medical trials, collecting fees or personal information under the guise of legitimate research.
Health & Medical ScamsFraudulent 'research' opportunities that extract fees, personal information, or expose participants to harm under the guise of medical studies.
Subscription & Billing ScamsFraudulent emails and pop-ups impersonate cloud storage providers, warning that storage is full or a payment has failed, to trick users into entering card details on a fake upgrade or billing page.
Ticket & Event ScamsSellers on social media, classifieds, or messaging apps take payment for concert tickets that are fake, already used, or never existed.
Government Impersonation ScamsScammers send fraudulent military draft or conscription notices and demand payment of exemption fees, medical assessment fees, or replacement costs — exploiting fear of mandatory military service to extract money.
Government Impersonation ScamsFraudulent emails and messages impersonate courts or legal authorities by delivering official-looking digital summons documents designed to harvest personal details or extract payments under legal threat.
Government Impersonation ScamsFraudulent emails impersonating courts or law enforcement claim the recipient has an outstanding fine that must be paid immediately to avoid arrest or escalating penalties.
Government Impersonation ScamsBogus court notices and 'missed jury duty' or 'lawsuit' threats demanding immediate payment.
Adult & Creator-Platform ScamsA self-styled talent manager offers to grow a creator's account and earnings in exchange for fees or account access, then extracts money or redirects payouts without delivering real management services.
Bereavement & Inheritance ScamsFamilies of migrant workers or expatriates who die abroad are told by a supposed employer, recruitment agency, or 'cremation liaison' that cremation cannot proceed and ashes cannot be sent home until extra fees are paid.
Charity & Disaster ScamsFraudulent campaigns on legitimate fundraising platforms that fabricate personal hardship stories to collect donations for non-existent causes.
Travel ScamsBogus cruise booking sites and imposter agents selling non-existent cabins at prices designed to attract first-time cruise shoppers.
Crypto & Web3 ScamsFraudulent cross-chain bridge sites mimic legitimate bridging protocols to drain wallets the moment a user approves a transaction.
Crypto & Web3 ScamsPlatforms claiming to let you automatically mirror the trades of expert crypto traders, where the 'expert' returns and the platform itself are entirely fabricated.
Crypto & Web3 ScamsFraudulent job offers in the crypto industry that steal funds, harvest credentials, or install malware through the hiring process.
Crypto & Web3 ScamsFraudulent tools that ask you to connect your wallets or enter your seed phrase under the guise of calculating your crypto tax liability.
Online Shopping ScamsImposters posing as retailer or platform support to steal logins, payments or remote access.
Mail & Courier FraudFraudulent texts or emails claim a parcel is stuck in customs and demand a small 'release fee' by card, harvesting full payment details for later fraud.
Government Impersonation ScamsClaims that a parcel is held by customs pending fees, or that you're linked to a seized shipment.
Job & Income ScamsFraudulent data annotation platforms promise pay-per-task income but withhold accumulated earnings until a minimum threshold that resets or is unachievable, or require fee payments before withdrawal.
Imposter & Emergency ScamsA person arrives at the door claiming to be a debt collector or bailiff enforcing an unpaid bill or court judgment, demanding immediate cash payment or threatening to seize property, when no genuine debt or enforcement order exists.
Finance ScamsFraudulent debt consolidation companies charge large upfront fees, collect personal financial data, and then disappear — leaving victims in worse debt and potentially exposed to identity theft.
Legal & Immigration ScamsCallers posing as lawyers or debt collectors who threaten immediate lawsuits or arrest over fabricated or unverifiable debts unless payment is made at once.
Finance ScamsBogus debt-settlement or consolidation services that charge fees and leave debts unpaid.
Online Shopping ScamsSmishing messages posing as couriers asking for a small fee or login to 'reschedule' delivery.
Health & Medical ScamsPlans marketed as dental or vision insurance that provide minimal or no real coverage, often structured as unregulated discount schemes.
Education & Student ScamsOperations that sell worthless academic or professional credentials without genuine coursework, recognised accreditation, or any educational value.
Education & Student ScamsOperations that sell worthless or fabricated academic credentials without genuine coursework, accreditation, or educational value.
Charity & Disaster ScamsFraudulent social media fundraising campaigns created within hours of a disaster, impersonating affected communities or relief organisations to collect donations that reach no victims.
Government Impersonation ScamsScammers impersonate disaster relief agencies to steal personal data, advance fees, or direct genuine aid applicants to fraudulent portals that capture sensitive information.
Charity & Disaster ScamsFraudulent text messages and app-based appeals that impersonate legitimate disaster relief organisations to divert emergency donations seconds after a crisis makes headlines.
Government Impersonation ScamsTexts and emails impersonating the DMV or DVLA claiming your licence is due for renewal or suspended, with a fake payment link.
Legal & Immigration ScamsScammers offer DNA testing services claiming results will prove family relationships needed for an immigration or family reunification case, charging high fees for tests that are not accepted by the actual immigration authority or are never properly conducted.
Auto & Vehicle ScamsPhishing texts and emails impersonating a national vehicle licensing authority, such as the UK's DVLA, claim a tax refund is owed or that vehicle tax is overdue, designed to harvest card details or extract fraudulent payment.
Education & Student ScamsScammers claim students or parents qualify for a government education grant and charge a processing or 'release' fee to access money that does not exist or was never available through the impersonated agency.
Imposter & Emergency ScamsA caller posing as a consular or embassy official contacts a family member claiming their relative is being detained abroad and requires urgent payment for fees or fines before they can be released.
Home Services & Contractor ScamsSalespeople posing as energy auditors offer free home energy assessments, fabricate findings about insulation or window efficiency, and pressure homeowners into expensive upgrades that may qualify for nonexistent rebates.
Utility & Energy ScamsFraudulent brokers offering 'better energy rates' who collect switching fees or personal data and disappear.
Utility & Energy ScamsSMS messages claiming you are owed a government or supplier energy rebate, designed to steal banking details or account credentials.
Charity & Disaster ScamsFraudulent campaigns using powerful wildlife and environmental imagery to collect donations that reach no conservation project, animal welfare programme, or environmental cause.
Gaming ScamsFraudulent esports betting platforms and fake tournament organisers that collect entry fees or deposits and never pay winnings or run genuine competitions.
Housing & Rental ScamsFraudsters pose as estate agents or property managers to collect holding deposits on properties they have no authority to let, leaving tenants without a property or their money.
Online Shopping ScamsFraudulent sellers offer concert, sports, or festival tickets that are counterfeit, already used, or simply never delivered.
Travel ScamsBogus packages bundling event tickets with travel and accommodation for high-demand events — collecting payment for tickets and bookings that don't exist.
Insurance ScamsUnsolicited offers of extended warranties or product protection that take regular premiums but deny every claim through narrow exclusions or fabricated policy documents.
Education & Student ScamsScammers charge students and parents a fee to 'complete' or 'fast-track' the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), a form that is genuinely free to file directly with the government.
Charity & Disaster ScamsFraudulent organisations and individuals impersonating charitable foundations or grant-making bodies to collect upfront fees from people falsely told they have been awarded funding.
Job & Income ScamsFraudulent 'clients' hire freelancers, overpay via a cheque or payment transfer, then ask for a refund of the surplus — leaving the freelancer liable when the original payment reverses.
Gaming ScamsFraudsters send fake invitations to exclusive game beta tests, collecting credentials or payment in exchange for access that does not exist.
Gaming ScamsSellers on marketplaces and social media offer discounted game store gift cards or redeem codes that are invalid, already redeemed, or region-locked, leaving the buyer with nothing after payment.
Gaming ScamsFraudulent websites pretending to sell in-game items, accounts, or currency that never arrive.
Gaming ScamsFraudulent mod loaders, cheat engines, or game enhancement tools distributed through unofficial channels that install malware alongside or instead of any claimed functionality.
Gaming ScamsImpostors posing as a game publisher's refund or billing support team contact players about a supposed accidental charge, then use the 'refund' process to extract payment or remote access instead.
Utility & Energy ScamsSomeone poses as a gas company inspector or safety engineer to gain entry to your home, then invents a dangerous fault and charges for unnecessary 'emergency' repairs.
Travel ScamsThird-party sites charging unnecessary fees to apply for trusted traveller programmes enrollable only through the official government Trusted Traveler Programs portal.
Business ScamsScammers impersonate Google support to demand payment, personal codes, or account access in order to 'verify' or 'protect' a business's Google Business Profile listing.
Government Impersonation ScamsFraudulent messages and websites direct citizens to install counterfeit government apps that steal personal data, harvest banking credentials, or provide attackers with remote device access.
Benefits & Welfare ScamsScammers notify targets that they have been approved for a government grant they never applied for, then request a fee or bank details to release the funds.
Government Impersonation ScamsCallers and websites posing as health insurance or government health programme enrolment agents who collect premiums, personal data, or fees for non-existent coverage.
Job & Income ScamsImposters impersonating official government recruitment agencies to charge fees for civil service or public-sector roles.
Utility & Energy ScamsScammers offer a government-sounding heat pump grant or subsidy, using it to charge upfront 'processing fees' or to sell overpriced, unnecessary installations.
Housing & Rental ScamsAn unlicensed or dishonest inspector or appraiser produces a fabricated or superficial report, hiding property defects or misstating value to help a sale close quickly at the buyer's expense.
Home Services & Contractor ScamsAggressive door-to-door sales agents misrepresent home security products, forge credit checks, use deceptive contract terms, and lock homeowners into multi-year agreements for overpriced or non-functional systems.
Imposter & Emergency ScamsA caller claims to be hospital staff informing the victim that a relative has been admitted after an accident or sudden illness, and requests urgent payment for treatment, transport, or paperwork before the family member can be seen or discharged.
Travel ScamsMessages demanding card 're-verification' to 'secure' a booking, capturing full card details.
Identity Theft & Data ScamsFraudulent 'identity theft protection' services trick people worried about a breach into handing over their most sensitive data — the exact information real monitoring is supposed to protect — while charging a recurring fee for nothing.
Finance ScamsStrangers claim you are entitled to a large unclaimed inheritance but demand fees, taxes, and legal costs before the windfall can be released.
Bereavement & Inheritance ScamsAn unsolicited email or letter claims the recipient is heir to a large, unclaimed estate from a distant or unknown relative, then demands fees to 'release' funds that do not exist.
Legal & Immigration ScamsScammers pose as attorneys or estate administrators contacting people about a supposed inheritance from a distant or unknown relative, requesting fees to release funds that do not actually exist.
Online Shopping ScamsFraudulent fashion boutiques operate entirely through Instagram, taking orders and payments for clothing and accessories that never arrive or are cheap counterfeits.
Utility & Energy ScamsFraudsters posing as government-backed insulation scheme representatives to charge fees, harvest data, or arrange substandard or non-existent installation.
Insurance ScamsFraudsters pose as insurers or claims handlers, offering fast settlements in exchange for upfront fees or personal details — then vanish.
Job & Income ScamsBogus internship offers that harvest personal data or charge upfront training and placement fees in exchange for experience that never materialises.
Business ScamsBogus 'investors' who target startups with due-diligence fees, advance costs, or data theft.
Tech ScamsAttackers impersonate internal IT support to trick employees into resetting passwords, sharing credentials, or installing remote-access tools.
Legal & Immigration ScamsScammers pose as overseas employers or recruitment agencies offering a job with visa sponsorship, then charge upfront fees for processing, training, or documents before disappearing with no job ever materializing.
Government Impersonation ScamsCallers claiming you failed to report for jury duty and that a warrant is now active unless you pay a fine immediately.
Extortion & Blackmail ScamsScammers impersonate police, federal agents, or government officials and claim they possess evidence of illegal activity by the victim, threatening to arrest or publicly expose them unless a bribe or settlement is paid.
Imposter & Emergency ScamsA caller posing as a lawyer contacts a family member claiming to represent a relative who has been arrested, and requests an urgent fee for legal representation or bail assistance. No arrest has occurred.
Legal & Immigration ScamsFraudsters who contact individuals claiming they are owed money from a legal settlement, then charge upfront fees to release the non-existent payout.
Insurance ScamsFraudsters collect life insurance premiums for policies that have never been issued, are unregulated, or will deny every claim through hidden exclusions.
Home Services & Contractor ScamsA locksmith advertises a low service call fee online, then drills out the lock unnecessarily and charges many times the advertised price once the homeowner is locked out and vulnerable.
Mail & Courier FraudFake notices claim a local mailbox is being relocated or decommissioned and ask residents to pay a fee or confirm personal details to update delivery preferences, actually harvesting data or redirecting mail.
Health & Medical ScamsFraudulent personal emergency response devices sold to older adults or people with health conditions that do not work, charge hidden subscription fees, or are never delivered.
Health & Medical ScamsFraudulent fundraising campaigns that fabricate or exaggerate medical emergencies to collect donations from generous individuals, with funds going to the scammer rather than any genuine patient.
Charity & Disaster ScamsFraudulent crowdfunding campaigns that fabricate or grossly exaggerate serious medical conditions to collect donations from compassionate supporters.
Romance & Relationship ScamsInvented illnesses or accidents used to extract money for treatment that doesn't exist.
Health & Medical ScamsCounterfeit, substandard, or never-delivered medical devices sold online — from PPE to oxygen concentrators and diagnostic devices.
Charity & Disaster ScamsFraudulent fundraising campaigns presenting a fabricated or exaggerated medical case to solicit donations that never reach any patient or treatment.
Government Impersonation ScamsScammers impersonate Medicare or social-healthcare officials and tell beneficiaries their new card or updated plan requires immediate activation, using the process to steal Medicare numbers, personal details, and payment information.
Health & Medical ScamsApps and platforms claiming to provide professional therapy or mental health support that harvest sensitive data, impose hidden subscription fees, or provide no qualified support.
Social Media & Account TakeoverEmails and in-app notices spoofing Meta Business Suite warn that a Page or ad account will be disabled unless the owner 'confirms' their identity on a phishing page that steals login credentials and ad-account access.
Romance & Relationship ScamsScammers posing as deployed service members who cite duty rules to avoid meeting and then ask for money.
Crypto & Web3 ScamsFraudulent hardware sales or cloud mining contracts that collect payment for mining equipment or capacity that is never delivered or does not generate the promised returns.
Adult & Creator-Platform ScamsA fake scout or producer offers a paid modeling or content shoot but requires an upfront fee for portfolio, wardrobe, or rights processing before any real work happens.
Lottery & Prize ScamsFraudulent mystery shopper job offers that use a prize or lottery element to justify sending fake cheques or requesting advance payments.
Legal & Immigration ScamsFraudulent services that charge for notarization or apostille certification but produce invalid or forged documents that fail when submitted to official authorities.
Education & Student ScamsFraudulent online courses and coding bootcamps that collect large tuition fees but deliver little or no real education, and disappear before students can access support or refunds.
MLM, Pyramid & Hustle ScamsHigh-priced online courses and mentorship programmes sold through lifestyle marketing that promise life-changing income skills but deliver recycled, low-value content — often with a secondary recruitment income layer.
Online Shopping ScamsConvincing but bogus shops that take payment for goods that never arrive or are worthless.
Health & Medical ScamsFraudulent therapy platforms or individuals posing as qualified counsellors who collect payments for sessions with unqualified or non-existent practitioners.
Online Shopping ScamsEmails mimicking legitimate retailers send fake order confirmations for large purchases you did not make, prompting you to click a cancellation link that harvests your credentials or card details.
Job & Income ScamsScammers recruit 'parcel processors' to receive and forward packages at home — using them unknowingly as money mules to move goods purchased with stolen payment cards.
Mail & Courier FraudFraudulent tracking notification emails or texts mimic real courier updates and lead to fake 'address correction' or 'delivery exception' pages designed to steal payment details.
Tech ScamsFraudulent parental monitoring apps charge subscription fees, harvest children's data, or install malware while providing no genuine monitoring capability.
Auto & Vehicle ScamsFraudulent QR code stickers placed over genuine codes on parking meters, tickets, and signage that redirect drivers to a lookalike payment page designed to steal card details.
MLM, Pyramid & Hustle ScamsSchemes selling 'done-for-you' or automated passive income systems that promise money earned while you sleep — the systems rarely work as advertised and often include a recruitment income layer.
Government Impersonation ScamsWebsites and services impersonating official passport or national ID authorities that charge inflated fees, harvest identity data, or deliver nothing.
Travel ScamsThird-party sites charging inflated fees to 'assist' with passport renewals — a process done directly through the official government service.
Government Impersonation ScamsFraudsters pose as immigration or customs officials and claim the victim's passport has been flagged for seizure due to criminal activity, threatening deportation or arrest unless an immediate payment is made.
Tech ScamsBogus 'reset your password' or 'unusual login' messages that capture credentials and codes.
Finance ScamsA text, email, or DM disguised as a Zelle, Venmo, PayPal, or Cash App alert lures you to a spoofed login page or a fake support line that harvests your password, 2FA codes, and account access.
Business ScamsFraudsters impersonate employees or HR systems to redirect salary payments to accounts they control, often by submitting fake direct deposit change requests.
Government Impersonation ScamsScammers impersonate pension administrators or government retirement offices and tell recipients they must reverify their identity to continue receiving pension payments, using the process to steal personal and financial information.
Pet & Animal ScamsFraudsters impersonate animal rescue organisations or private rehomers, collecting adoption fees and transport costs for pets that do not exist or are never delivered.
Pet & Animal ScamsScammers pose as professional breeders with polished websites and fake credentials, collecting full or partial payment for pets that do not exist.
Insurance ScamsBogus pet insurance policies that collect monthly premiums but deny every claim through hidden exclusions or by never existing at all.
Pet & Animal ScamsFraudulent 'adopters' respond to free or low-cost pet rehoming ads, using invented transport arrangements or courier fees to take possession of a pet under false pretences, sometimes for resale or worse.
Pet & Animal ScamsScammers advertise pets at low or no cost then demand escalating fees for crates, veterinary certificates, insurance, and customs clearance, collecting payment at each stage before disappearing.
Home Services & Contractor ScamsEmergency plumbing calls booked through search ads are met with inflated, invented diagnoses and pressure to pay large upfront sums for rushed or unnecessary work.
Gambling & Betting ScamsOnline poker apps and platforms where house-controlled bots, collusion rings, or entirely fabricated game engines ensure real-money players lose over time.
Imposter & Emergency ScamsA person shows up claiming to be a police officer conducting an identity or safety check, using a fake badge and confident manner to gain entry to a home and either steal valuables or extract personal and financial information.
Online Shopping ScamsSellers collect payment for upcoming or anticipated products that never ship and never existed as real stock.
Business ScamsBogus purchase orders, often impersonating large firms or institutions, that lead to unpaid goods.
Online Shopping ScamsCriminals impersonate brands or regulators to claim a product you own has been recalled, harvesting card details via a fake refund process.
Housing & Rental ScamsFraudulent property-for-sale listings that collect reservation deposits from multiple interested buyers for a property the scammer does not own and has no authority to sell.
Online Shopping ScamsOnline pet sellers who advertise non-existent puppies or kittens, then collect deposits and escalating fees without ever delivering any animal.
Lottery & Prize ScamsFraudulent SMS and messaging app notifications claiming you have won a raffle, used to harvest personal data or extract fees via links.
MLM, Pyramid & Hustle ScamsPaid membership clubs that promise access to exclusive property deals, mentorship, or 'no money down' investing systems, but generate most of their revenue from membership fees and member recruitment rather than genuine real estate transactions.
Job & Income ScamsImposters posing as recruiters or HR to harvest personal data, fees, or to enlist money mules.
Legal & Immigration ScamsScammers target refugees and asylum seekers awaiting resettlement, claiming a fee is required to speed up processing, secure a resettlement slot, or release travel documents that legitimate resettlement programs never charge for.
Payment Card & ATM FraudA scammer posing as support staff or a merchant walks the victim through a 'refund' that actually pushes money out — via remote access, a manipulated banking screen, or a card terminal run as a payment — or claims an over-refund and demands the 'excess' back by gift cards or transfer.
Job & Income ScamsBogus 'personal' or 'virtual assistant' roles used for fake-cheque, errand, or mule schemes.
Finance ScamsSlick comparison sites and clone "providers" advertise market-beating guaranteed savings and fixed-rate bonds, then take your deposit for an account that never existed — often by impersonating a genuine, regulated firm.
Education & Student ScamsFake scholarship programmes that charge an application or processing fee to students for awards that do not exist or were never available to applicants.
Government Impersonation ScamsThreats that your social security or national insurance number is 'suspended' over alleged crimes.
Imposter & Emergency ScamsA person claiming to be a social worker or child welfare officer contacts a parent or guardian, alleging a concern about their child that requires an urgent home visit, payment, or disclosure of personal details, exploiting fear over losing custody or facing an investigation.
Utility & Energy ScamsFraudulent door-to-door sellers and fake companies that take deposits for solar or green energy installations that are never completed or are grossly substandard.
Gambling & Betting ScamsUnlicensed sportsbook websites and apps that accept real-money bets on genuine sporting fixtures but never pay out winnings, often vanishing after a major tournament.
Education & Student ScamsFraudulent landlords and fake letting agents advertise student rooms or apartments near foreign universities, taking a deposit or several months' rent before the student arrives to find the property does not exist or was never available.
Education & Student ScamsFraudulent messages impersonating tax authorities to demand payments or personal information from students over non-existent tax debts or refunds.
Subscription & Billing ScamsFraudsters send fake renewal notices for popular services — streaming platforms, antivirus software, cloud storage — to trick you into handing over card details or making payments.
Romance & Relationship ScamsFraudsters pose as wealthy older women offering a generous allowance to younger people, then request fees, gift cards, or personal information before the promised money is ever sent.
Business ScamsBogus suppliers that take payment or deposits for goods and services never delivered.
Social Media & Account TakeoverNotices claiming your account has been suspended, directing you to external appeal pages that steal credentials or charge fees.
Government Impersonation ScamsScammers impersonate tax-authority staff and tell victims they have an unclaimed tax refund ready to transfer, but first need the victim to share a one-time password to verify their bank account — which actually authorises a transfer out of that account.
Finance ScamsMessages claiming you're owed a tax refund to harvest bank details or trick you into 'fees'.
Business ScamsScammers impersonate tax authorities or business registration bodies, demanding urgent payment or sensitive business data to 'complete' registration, licensing, or compliance filings that are either unnecessary or entirely fabricated.
Telecom & Account ScamsFraudsters impersonate mobile or broadband providers to claim you are owed a rebate, harvesting bank details or charging a fee to 'release' money that does not exist.
Ticket & Event ScamsCloned or lookalike ticket marketplace websites mimic well-known resale platforms to take payment for tickets that are never delivered.
Travel ScamsBogus event, attraction and transport tickets sold online that don't work at the gate.
Faith & Religious ScamsLook-alike online giving pages that mimic a church or ministry's real tithing portal to redirect regular donations into a scammer's account.
Crypto & Web3 ScamsFraudulent airdrop sites mimic real token distributions to trick users into approving wallet-draining transactions or submitting seed phrases to claim non-existent tokens.
Government Impersonation ScamsSmishing texts claiming an unpaid toll fee is due, with a fake link that harvests card details.
Travel ScamsBogus travel agencies — online and street-based — that take full holiday payments for trips that never materialise.
Travel ScamsFraudulent sites selling counterfeit health certificates, vaccination records, and travel medical clearances that carry legal and health risks.
Insurance ScamsFraudsters sell travel insurance policies that look genuine but provide no real cover, leaving travellers stranded with unpaid medical bills or lost trip costs.
Insurance ScamsBogus travel insurance policies that look comprehensive but exclude the medical events most likely to occur, or are sold by unregulated operators with no claims-paying ability.
Travel ScamsPhishing attacks and fake platforms that steal loyalty account credentials to drain hard-earned travel miles and points.
Tech ScamsTricks and 'MFA fatigue' attacks designed to capture or approve your second authentication factor.
Education & Student ScamsFraudsters send fake or spoofed acceptance letters demanding an urgent enrollment deposit to secure a place, targeting students and parents excited about a college offer.
Legal & Immigration ScamsScammers impersonate immigration authorities by phone, email, or text, claiming a pending application has a problem that requires an urgent 'processing fee,' 'reactivation fee,' or 'correction fee' paid outside official channels.
Travel ScamsFraudulent short-term rental hosts who impersonate legitimate listings, collect deposits, and leave guests without accommodation.
Auto & Vehicle ScamsFraudsters sell counterfeit or manipulated vehicle history reports that conceal written-off, stolen, or finance-encumbered vehicles, leaving buyers exposed after purchase.
Auto & Vehicle ScamsFraudulent car and vehicle listings on classifieds sites designed to collect deposits or full payment for vehicles that don't exist or aren't for sale.
Auto & Vehicle ScamsFraudulent logistics or transport companies used in remote vehicle sales to collect delivery fees for vehicles that are never shipped or collected.
Adult & Creator-Platform ScamsA fraudulent notice claims a creator's payout is held behind a large security deposit, tax clearance, or verification fee that a legitimate platform would never actually require.
Charity & Disaster ScamsBogus organisations claiming to support military veterans or their families that pocket donated funds rather than delivering any services.
Charity & Disaster ScamsFraudulent organisations using military or veterans' imagery to collect donations that never reach serving personnel, veterans, or their families.
Ticket & Event ScamsScammers sell fabricated VIP packages promising backstage access or meet-and-greets with performers that were never authorized or arranged.
Travel ScamsUnofficial websites that charge inflated fees to submit visa or Electronic Travel Authorisation applications that travellers could file directly with the government for free or a fraction of the cost.
Government Impersonation ScamsThreats of visa cancellation or fines unless you pay or share details with a fake 'enforcement' unit.
Travel ScamsSites and agents charging inflated or bogus fees for visas, ETAs and travel authorisations.
Tech ScamsBogus VPN apps that spy on your traffic, harvest credentials, or install malware instead of protecting you.
Utility & Energy ScamsFraudsters impersonate water companies offering an overpayment refund, then harvest bank details or charge an 'administration fee' to release funds that do not exist.
Health & Medical ScamsFraudulent diet and weight loss programs that charge recurring subscription fees for coaching, meal plans, or supplements that are never delivered or have no meaningful effect.
Online Shopping ScamsBogus bulk-buy and stocklot offers that take payment for pallets or lots of goods that never arrive or are worthless.
Tech ScamsFraudsters set up rogue Wi-Fi hotspots with legitimate-looking login pages to harvest credentials, card details, or install malware on connecting devices.
Bereavement & Inheritance ScamsA scammer poses as the executor or estate lawyer for a deceased person's will and asks a supposed beneficiary to pay fees or taxes before an inheritance can be distributed.
Home Services & Contractor ScamsSales reps posing as representatives of a government energy grant program lure homeowners into signing loan agreements or paying fees for window upgrades misrepresented as free or subsidized.
Faith & Religious ScamsFraudulent appeals that pose as legitimate zakat or sadaqah collection channels during religiously significant periods, diverting obligatory or voluntary charitable giving away from genuine recipients.
Imposter & Emergency ScamsA fraudster contacts a victim claiming a family member is in immediate danger or financial crisis and needs urgent funds transferred right away. Unlike the grandparent scam, this variant targets people of all ages.
Ticket & Event ScamsScammers pose as fellow fans in community groups and forums to sell fake or non-existent tickets, exploiting the trust built inside genuine fan communities.
Ticket & Event ScamsFake or duplicate festival tickets and camping passes sold through unofficial channels leave buyers turned away at the gate with no accommodation.
Finance ScamsScammers invent official-sounding financial authorities — or clone real regulators — to vouch for a bogus investment, demand a "release fee" to unlock your funds, or pose as the regulator recovering an earlier loss. Real regulators never charge to release your money.
Finance ScamsSocial media 'financial influencers' promote investments, trading courses, or platforms without holding any regulatory licence, often receiving undisclosed payments and exposing followers to serious financial harm.
Gambling & Betting ScamsSellers claiming access to genuinely fixed sporting matches or 'insider' results, charging escalating fees for information that does not exist and offering victims no legal recourse.
Lottery & Prize ScamsUnsolicited notices claiming you have won a foreign lottery you never entered — with fees required to release the prize.
Finance ScamsFake foreign-exchange trading schemes and 'account managers' that promise steady FX profits and block withdrawals.
Finance ScamsFake property crowdfunding schemes that sell fractions of non-existent or unregistered real estate and then block withdrawals behind endless fees.
Gaming ScamsFake generators and surveys promising free premium currency that steal credentials or install malware.
Gaming ScamsWebsites and social media posts claiming to generate free Robux, V-Bucks, or similar platform currencies that steal credentials, install malware, or run survey fraud.
Subscription & Billing ScamsSellers offer a 'free' trial that requires your card details, then charge a full subscription fee if you do not cancel within a short window — which is deliberately hard to find.
Mail & Courier FraudFraudsters impersonate a business's genuine freight forwarder, sending fake or altered invoices with changed bank details to redirect real shipping payments into criminal accounts.
Gaming ScamsThird-party sellers offer discounted top-ups of premium currency for gacha and live-service games, collecting payment or account credentials without ever delivering the currency.
Gambling & Betting ScamsFraudulent 'recovery agents' who target people who already lost money to a gambling or casino scam, charging an upfront fee to recover funds that is never returned.
Gaming ScamsScammers steal gaming accounts via phishing, fake login pages, or social engineering to sell them or drain their value.
Home Services & Contractor ScamsGarage door technicians advertising low service call fees diagnose minor or non-existent problems as requiring expensive part replacements, completing shoddy work or replacing functional components unnecessarily.
Payment Card & ATM FraudCriminals hide card-reading devices inside fuel pumps, silently copying card data from every pay-at-pump customer, often for weeks before anyone notices.
Travel ScamsA staged detour delivers tourists to a 'special' gem shop where near-worthless stones are sold at huge markups, usually on the false promise of resale profit back home.
Government Impersonation ScamsA paid tax preparer who refuses to sign your return, often inflating the refund with fabricated figures or diverting it entirely, leaving you legally liable when the tax authority investigates.
Extortion & Blackmail ScamsScammers delivering any type of blackmail or extortion threat specifically demand payment in gift cards, directing victims to buy cards and read the codes over the phone or via message.
Romance & Relationship ScamsRequests for gift card codes as 'help' or 'gifts' — an untraceable way to drain money from victims.
Finance ScamsPromoters persuade retirement savers to roll over pension or IRA funds into precious metals accounts, charging excessive fees, marking up metal prices, and storing assets in ways that reduce or eliminate their value.
Street & In-Person ScamsA seller offers gold bars, nuggets, or jewelry at a bargain price, backed by a sob story or staged tests. The gold is gilded base metal worth almost nothing.
Telecom & Account ScamsA "buyer" or new contact asks to verify you are real by having a code texted to your phone, then read back to them. That code links a Google Voice number to yours, quietly handing the scammer control of your number.
Imposter & Emergency ScamsA caller pretends to be a grandchild or other close relative in serious trouble, begging for urgent cash before the family finds out. The urgency and shame angle stop victims from pausing to verify.
Utility & Energy ScamsFraudsters posing as government-backed green energy schemes to charge fees or harvest personal data.
Gaming ScamsThird-party key resellers sell game activation keys purchased with stolen payment cards, causing the key to be revoked by the publisher when the original fraud is discovered — leaving buyers without their game.
Finance ScamsAbuse of the legal guardianship or conservatorship system to seize control of an elderly or disabled person's money and property — draining the estate under color of a court order while isolating them from the family who would object.
Social Media & Account TakeoverMessages that appear to come from a trusted contact whose account has been compromised, used to request money, gift cards, or personal information.
Telecom & Account ScamsAttackers use a compromised account to message the victim's contacts, exploiting established trust to request money, personal details, or account access.
Home Services & Contractor ScamsA handyman or general contractor takes a large upfront deposit for home repair or renovation work, then fails to appear, does minimal work, or disappears entirely with the funds.
Subscription & Billing ScamsSellers make cancellation deliberately difficult — burying the option, requiring calls during limited hours, or ignoring requests — to keep billing active as long as possible.
MLM, Pyramid & Hustle ScamsMulti-level marketing operations selling vitamins, weight-loss products, or wellness supplements where most participants lose money on mandatory monthly stock purchases while unproven health claims are used to recruit both customers and sellers.
Health & Medical ScamsPatients are charged for services never rendered, billed for more expensive treatments than received, or enrolled in programmes without consent — leaving them with inflated medical bills.
Finance ScamsCriminals apply for home equity lines of credit using stolen homeowner identities, or pose as lenders collecting fees for HELOC products that never materialise.
Finance ScamsHYIPs promise extraordinary daily or weekly returns — often hundreds of percent per year — through vague 'trading' or 'arbitrage' strategies, but are structured as Ponzi schemes that always collapse.
Extortion & Blackmail ScamsA scammer sends an email claiming to be a hired assassin contracted to kill the recipient, but offers to call off the hit in exchange for payment. The entire scenario is a fabrication.
Travel ScamsHigh-pressure holiday resort presentations that use prizes and free gifts to lure attendees into signing expensive long-term holiday club or timeshare contracts.
Travel ScamsFake apartment, villa and car rentals that take a deposit for a property that isn't available.
Housing & Rental ScamsFraudsters forge a deed or use a stolen identity to transfer a homeowner's title into their own name, then borrow against the property or "sell" it. Paid-off, vacant, inherited, and elderly-owned homes are the prime targets.
Pet & Animal ScamsFraudulent sellers advertise horses or other livestock at attractive prices, collect a deposit to 'hold' the animal ahead of viewing or vetting, then delay indefinitely or vanish before any sale completes.
Travel ScamsMessages posing as your hotel asking to 're-verify' card details, sometimes using real booking data.
Benefits & Welfare ScamsFraudulent messages claim a housing benefit or rental assistance claim needs urgent 'verification', harvesting bank and landlord details from tenants and landlords alike.
Housing & Rental ScamsScammers posing as housing authority staff, caseworkers, or 'voucher assistance' services charge desperate voucher holders illegal fees to find, guarantee, or speed up approval for a rental unit.
Home Services & Contractor ScamsA technician performing a low-cost or free inspection fabricates or exaggerates HVAC faults, presents alarming safety claims, and pressures the homeowner into expensive repairs or replacement that are not needed.
Adult & Creator-Platform ScamsA fake account copies a real creator's identity to contact their followers directly with fraudulent offers, giveaways, or payment requests, damaging the real creator's reputation in the process.
Gaming ScamsDeceptive trades within or around games that trick players into exchanging valuable items for nothing or far less than agreed.
Gaming ScamsFraudsters posing as buyers or brokers in in-game item marketplaces charge fees, taxes, or escrow deposits before an item transfer and then disappear with the payment.
Gaming ScamsFake peer-to-peer sellers and informal storefronts that take payment for skins, currency, or items and deliver nothing — or deliver items that are quickly reversed.
Lottery & Prize ScamsFake inheritance or estate-claim notices combined with lottery fraud elements, demanding fees to release large sums.
Romance & Relationship ScamsA romantic partner reveals a large inheritance but needs your help with fees to unlock it — fees you will never see again.
Insurance ScamsScammers pose as an insurer or agent claiming a policy has lapsed and demand an urgent 'reinstatement fee' to restore coverage, pressuring victims to pay quickly through hard-to-trace methods.
Faith & Religious ScamsFraudulent relief campaigns that claim broad, multi-faith or community-wide endorsement to solicit donations for disaster or humanitarian causes that are exaggerated or entirely fictitious.
Lottery & Prize ScamsNotifications claiming you have won an overseas sweepstakes entry you never submitted, with escalating fees required to release a prize that does not exist.
MLM, Pyramid & Hustle ScamsMLM structures that pressure distributors to purchase large quantities of product to qualify for commissions or advance rank — resulting in garages full of unsellable stock and financial losses disguised as business investment.
Finance ScamsScammers invite people to a free meal or seminar, then use high-pressure sales tactics to push unsuitable or fraudulent financial products — often targeting retirees with pension savings.
Travel ScamsRental operators accuse returning tourists of causing pre-existing damage and demand large on-the-spot payments, often backed by intimidation and a passport held as deposit.
Finance ScamsScammers impersonate banks, exchanges, or financial platforms and claim the victim must immediately update their KYC details or face account suspension — leading to credential theft or direct fraud.
Finance ScamsFirms sell small plots of cheap rural land at inflated prices, claiming imminent planning permission will multiply their value; the land is rarely developable and the promised uplift never comes.
Ticket & Event ScamsScammers target buyers in the final hours before an event, using extreme urgency to rush payment for tickets that turn out to be fake or never arrive.
Home Services & Contractor ScamsTraveling paving crews claim to have leftover asphalt from a nearby job and pressure homeowners into an immediate cash deal for a driveway resurfacing that uses substandard material and fails quickly.
Bereavement & Inheritance ScamsScammers contact beneficiaries claiming a life insurance payout is ready but 'stuck' pending a fee, tax, or administrative charge that no genuine insurer ever requires.
Social Media & Account TakeoverFake recruiters contact job seekers on LinkedIn with attractive roles, then move the conversation off-platform to harvest personal data, charge fake onboarding fees, or deliver malware disguised as job documents.
Finance ScamsFake lenders that demand upfront 'fees', insurance or deposits before releasing a loan that never arrives.
Identity Theft & Data ScamsCriminals use a stolen identity to apply to many lenders simultaneously before any single one reports the new debt, collecting multiple loan payouts before the fraud is detected and leaving the victim with a stack of unfamiliar debts.
Romance & Relationship ScamsRelationships kept permanently remote, with endless reasons a meeting or video call can't happen.
Telecom & Account ScamsFraudsters pose as mobile insurance providers or third-party claim handlers, collecting personal details and fees from people trying to claim for a lost or damaged phone — and delivering nothing.
Finance ScamsFraudulent dealers take deposits for scarce watches that never arrive, sell convincing counterfeits as investments, or run flipping schemes paid from new members' money — recovery after a bank transfer is rare.
Mail & Courier FraudCriminals file fraudulent mail-forwarding requests in a victim's name, redirecting all their post to an address the fraudster controls to harvest identity documents and financial mail.
Identity Theft & Data ScamsFraudsters intercept or redirect physical mail containing sensitive identity documents — bank cards, NIN letters, passports, or HMRC correspondence — to gather everything needed to impersonate you and open accounts in your name.
Mail & Courier FraudCriminals steal physical mail from letterboxes or communal areas to harvest personal data — account statements, cards, and official letters — and commit identity fraud.
Tech ScamsFake or hijacked browser extensions that steal passwords, inject ads, and monitor everything you type.
Finance ScamsA marketplace buyer or seller insists the other party must "upgrade to a business account" or "get verified" by first sending a refundable fee that will supposedly come back with the payment. The unlock fee is pure theft, and it escalates.
Online Shopping ScamsThird-party sellers on major online marketplaces who list luxury, designer, or branded goods as genuine but ship sophisticated counterfeits with convincing packaging.
Online Shopping ScamsFraudulent sellers on classifieds and marketplaces who take payment off-platform and never deliver.
Health & Medical ScamsScammers posing as hospitals, charities, or government programs offer to 'erase', 'settle', or 'qualify you for forgiveness of' medical debt — for an upfront fee, monthly payments diverted to themselves, or the personal and insurance data the pitch is built to harvest.
Health & Medical ScamsCriminals use your identity to obtain medical treatment, prescriptions, or insurance benefits — leaving you with fraudulent records and unexpected bills.
Subscription & Billing ScamsFake or deceptive membership clubs charge ongoing fees for benefits that are non-existent, minimal, or freely available, often enrolling members without clear consent.
Crypto & Web3 ScamsCoordinated groups artificially inflate a low-value token's price, then dump their holdings on retail buyers who bought in during the hype.
Business ScamsPredatory "business funding" outfits target cash-strapped small businesses with fast money priced in confusing factor rates, daily debits that strangle cash flow, undisclosed fees, and aggressive collection devices signed away in the fine print — plus upfront-fee brokers selling approvals that never come.
Business ScamsFraudulent or misleading payment processing companies lure businesses with unbeatable card-processing rates, then trap them with hidden fees, frozen funds, or outright fake equipment and accounts.
Utility & Energy ScamsA caller or doorstep visitor accuses you of illegally tampering with your electricity or gas meter and demands an immediate fine or 'settlement fee' to avoid prosecution or disconnection.
Crypto & Web3 ScamsBots and bad actors exploit Ethereum's transaction ordering to front-run and back-run user trades, extracting value by sandwiching legitimate swaps and delivering worse prices than expected.
Romance & Relationship ScamsFraudsters posing as deployed military personnel claim they need financial help to secure leave to visit the victim, then disappear after payment is made.
Health & Medical ScamsProducts falsely claiming to cure, prevent, or treat serious medical conditions — exploiting people seeking hope or alternatives to conventional treatment.
Faith & Religious ScamsFraudulent appeals impersonating missionaries or mission organisations that solicit ongoing financial support for work that does not exist.
Job & Income ScamsMulti-level marketing pitches that generate income primarily from recruiting fees rather than selling real products.
Finance ScamsFraudsters exploit mobile-money wallets with faked "sent by mistake — please send it back" texts, rogue or impersonated agents who pocket deposits, and fake PIN prompts, so victims hand over real money against a credit that was never there.
Subscription & Billing ScamsClicking a link, entering a phone number, or replying to a message subscribes your mobile number to a premium-rate SMS service that charges per message or per week directly to your phone bill.
Payment Card & ATM FraudAfter phishing your card number, scammers pose as your bank's fraud team and get you to read back a one-time code — but that code enrols your card in a digital wallet on their own phone, letting them tap-to-pay with your money.
Finance ScamsScammers on social media claim they can multiply your money through a special banking exploit or contact, take the payment, and send nothing back.
Job & Income ScamsFake "payment processor" jobs, or romance and social contacts, recruit you to receive money into your own bank account and forward it on for a cut — making you the traceable link in a money-laundering chain.
Housing & Rental ScamsFake services that charge fees to negotiate lower mortgage payments — then deliver nothing while your arrears grow.
Housing & Rental ScamsRogue movers who quote low prices then hold belongings hostage for inflated final payments.
Finance ScamsOrganised criminal networks exploit VAT refund systems by rapidly cycling the same goods through multiple businesses across borders, claiming tax refunds that were never actually paid.
Job & Income ScamsFake mystery-shopping jobs that send bogus cheques and instruct you to buy gift cards or wire funds — a classic fake-cheque variant.
Subscription & Billing ScamsSellers enrol you in paid subscriptions automatically unless you actively opt out, often burying the negative-option clause in fine print so most people never notice the charge.
Identity Theft & Data ScamsFraudsters create a brand-new online account on a platform you use — exploiting weak identity verification — and then claim ownership of your profile, rewards, or payment methods. Unlike standard account takeover, no password reset is needed because the account never existed before the fraud.
Payment Card & ATM FraudCriminals relay your card's contactless signal in real time to a mule standing at a payment terminal somewhere else in the world, letting them tap to pay with your card while it never leaves your pocket.
MLM, Pyramid & Hustle ScamsNFT or Web3 platforms that pay existing holders a referral commission for recruiting new buyers, creating a pyramid-like structure disguised as blockchain innovation, where early recruiters profit at the expense of later participants.
Crypto & Web3 ScamsFraudulent NFT collections take mint payments and deliver nothing, or use fake mints to drain wallets.
Online Shopping ScamsPayment is taken for goods or tickets that are simply never sent.
Legal & Immigration ScamsUnqualified 'notarios' and immigration consultants who charge for legal advice they are not permitted to give, often harming clients' cases.
Auto & Vehicle ScamsCriminals fit duplicate registration plates matching a genuine vehicle to another car of similar make, model, and colour, leaving the innocent registered keeper facing fines, tolls, and penalty notices for offences they never committed — often followed by phishing scams that exploit the fear this creates.
Auto & Vehicle ScamsThe recorded mileage on a used vehicle is fraudulently reduced to inflate its apparent value and conceal accelerated wear — leaving buyers with a vehicle worth far less than they paid.
Romance & Relationship ScamsAfter building a long-distance romantic relationship, scammers claim they need money for visa or immigration fees to come and marry the victim — then disappear once paid.
Romance & Relationship ScamsFake or exploitative matchmaking services that charge high upfront fees for curated introductions that never materialise or are performed by paid actors.
Auto & Vehicle ScamsFraudulent vehicle listings that request a holding deposit or direct you through a fake escrow service to collect payment for cars that do not exist or are not for sale.
Crypto & Web3 ScamsAttackers exploit weaknesses in DeFi price oracles to manipulate the prices that smart contracts rely on, enabling theft from lending protocols, synthetic assets, and prediction markets.
Identity Theft & Data ScamsAutomated bots place spoofed calls or texts posing as your bank's anti-fraud line and trick you into reading out a one-time passcode — the very code the scammer just triggered by logging into your account, instantly defeating two-factor authentication.
Mail & Courier FraudA buyer 'accidentally' overpays for an item and asks for the difference to be refunded before shipping, but the original payment is later reversed as fraudulent, leaving the seller out of pocket.
Mail & Courier FraudFraudsters redirect parcels in transit to a different address — by hacking delivery accounts, contacting courier support, or intercepting tracking notifications — to steal goods.
Mail & Courier FraudFraudsters send fake notifications claiming a parcel is waiting in a locker, directing victims to fake websites that harvest credentials or payment card details.
Job & Income ScamsAny 'job' that requires you to pay first — for access, processing, or release of your earnings.
Benefits & Welfare ScamsScammers tell pensioners their pension credit or state pension has been suspended and must be 'reactivated' by confirming bank and identity details.
Extortion & Blackmail ScamsMalicious software encrypts a victim's personal phone, tablet, or computer and demands payment for a decryption key to recover photos, documents, and other files.
Home Services & Contractor ScamsA door-to-door pest control salesperson fabricates or exaggerates an infestation, uses alarming language to pressure the homeowner into an expensive contract, and delivers minimal or useless treatment.
Pet & Animal ScamsFraudulent companies claim to offer genetic cloning of a deceased or dying pet, collecting substantial fees for sample preservation and 'laboratory stages' that never produce a cloned animal.
Pet & Animal ScamsFraudulent insurers collect premiums for pet health policies that provide no coverage, leaving owners with worthless documentation and large veterinary bills.
Tech ScamsDeceptive emails, texts and sites that trick you into revealing passwords, codes or card details.
Tech ScamsReady-made criminal toolkits sold to low-skilled fraudsters enable highly convincing phishing campaigns at scale, complete with real-time credential relay, anti-detection, and automated victim management.
Telecom & Account ScamsFraudulent calls and texts impersonating your mobile carrier to trick you into handing over account details, authorising transfers, or paying non-existent upgrade fees.
Street & In-Person ScamsStrangers claim to have found a bundle of cash and offer to split it with you — but only if you put up good-faith money of your own, which is then switched or stolen.
Faith & Religious ScamsFraudulent or non-existent travel packages for religious pilgrimages that take deposits or full payment and fail to deliver promised travel, accommodation, or access.
Payment Card & ATM FraudA payment terminal at a shop, restaurant, or fuel station is overlaid, tampered with, or swapped for a look-alike that captures your card data and PIN. Sometimes a dishonest employee runs your card through a second, hidden skimming device out of sight.
Finance ScamsFraudulent gold, silver, and platinum schemes that sell overpriced, non-existent, or unallocated metals and block redemption.
Finance ScamsUnregulated mobile loan apps offer fast, small loans then use aggressive harassment, threats, and contact-list abuse to extract repayments many times the original principal.
Lottery & Prize ScamsFraudulent messages claiming you have won a premium bond prize, used to collect personal details or advance fees under a government-institution pretext.
Lottery & Prize ScamsCompetitions that require entry via premium-rate phone numbers, texts, or websites — charging far more per entry than disclosed and generating revenue with no genuine prize.
Bereavement & Inheritance ScamsFraudulent or poorly regulated prepaid funeral plans take upfront payments for future funeral services that are never delivered, underfunded, or impossible to redeem when needed.
Finance ScamsFraudsters claim access to secret 'prime bank' instruments — standby letters of credit, bank guarantees, or medium-term notes — supposedly traded by the world's top banks, promising huge risk-free profits.
Lottery & Prize ScamsScammers inform you that a prize or cash reward is waiting but require an upfront processing, admin, or tax payment before it can be released.
Lottery & Prize ScamsFake congratulatory messages claiming you have won a prize, used to harvest personal details or extract upfront fees.
Bereavement & Inheritance ScamsCompanies offer beneficiaries a quick cash advance against an inheritance still in probate, but bury predatory fees and interest in the contract that consume much of the eventual payout.
MLM, Pyramid & Hustle ScamsMulti-level marketing structures where products exist but income depends overwhelmingly on recruitment, not retail sales — leaving most participants with unsellable stock and net losses.
Finance ScamsFraudsters sell fake or misrepresented short-term debt instruments — promissory notes — promising high fixed returns backed by corporate issuers that do not exist or cannot honour the obligation.
Housing & Rental ScamsA fraudulent or dishonest property manager charges owners for fabricated repairs, inflated maintenance costs, or phantom vacancies while withholding rent collected from real tenants.
Faith & Religious ScamsFraudulent appeals that promise donors financial breakthroughs or miracles in direct proportion to a 'seed' payment sent first, with no return ever materialising.
Romance & Relationship ScamsFraudulent psychics who exploit loneliness and romantic hope to extract repeated payments for rituals, readings, and 'curse removals' promising to bring a partner closer.
Lottery & Prize ScamsFake prize mailers styled as publisher prize draws that demand purchase orders or fees to secure a non-existent grand prize.
Finance ScamsCoordinated hype that inflates a stock or token's price so insiders can sell at the top, crashing it.
Pet & Animal ScamsFraudulent sellers take a non-refundable deposit for a puppy that does not exist, then disappear or invent reasons to demand more money before the animal is never delivered.
Ticket & Event ScamsScammers exploit digital ticket transfers by sending screenshots, duplicated QR codes, or manipulated transfer links that fail or get scanned by someone else first.
Tech ScamsMalicious QR codes on stickers, emails or posters that lead to phishing or payment fraud.
Tech ScamsFraudulent QR code stickers placed over legitimate payment or information codes at parking meters, tables, and public points, directing victims to fake payment pages.
Extortion & Blackmail ScamsCriminals send threatening emails claiming they will flood a business's servers with junk traffic (a DDoS attack) and take them offline unless a ransom is paid, usually in cryptocurrency.
Pet & Animal ScamsFraudsters impersonate customs brokers, wildlife authorities, or CITES processing agents to charge buyers fake import permit, quarantine, or clearance fees for an exotic animal supposedly held at the border.
Government Impersonation ScamsFake DMV websites, texts, and ads impersonate a state motor-vehicle agency or a bogus "REAL ID processing" service, charging fake application or expedited-processing fees and harvesting the personal and ID-document data used for identity theft.
Extortion & Blackmail ScamsCallers claim to have a recording of the victim agreeing to a debt or contract, and threaten legal action, arrest, or exposure unless immediate payment is made, often for a debt the victim does not owe.
Ticket & Event ScamsScammers exploit event postponements and cancellations by impersonating organizers to phish for payment details under the guise of processing a refund.
Charity & Disaster ScamsFraudulent religious leaders and fake ministries that exploit tithing obligations and faith-based generosity to collect money for personal gain rather than any genuine religious or charitable purpose.
Housing & Rental ScamsFraudulent rent-to-own schemes that collect large option fees and inflated monthly payments for property that the operator has no authority to sell or transfer.
Housing & Rental ScamsFake or misleading arrangements that promise a path to homeownership but deliver nothing except lost rent.
Identity Theft & Data ScamsScammers harvest the sensitive personal and financial data submitted on rental applications, either through fake listings or stolen genuine applications, then use it to rent property or pass tenant screening under someone else's name.
Housing & Rental ScamsLandlords or agents who collect large security deposits and vanish — or invent reasons to withhold them — leaving tenants out of pocket.
Housing & Rental ScamsFake or hijacked property listings that collect deposits and application fees for homes that are unavailable or non-existent.
Street & In-Person ScamsScooter, jet-ski, and car rental operators claim you caused damage that was already there — or was inflicted after return — and demand inflated cash payment, with the renter's passport held as leverage. A staple of beach resorts and tourist islands.
Bereavement & Inheritance ScamsFamilies arranging to bring a loved one's remains home from abroad are charged inflated or entirely fabricated fees by intermediaries exploiting the complexity and urgency of international repatriation.
Gambling & Betting ScamsScammers impersonating gambling regulators, charities, or claims firms who offer 'compensation' or 'refunds' for problem gambling losses, requiring an upfront fee or sensitive personal and banking details.
Crypto & Web3 ScamsFake liquid-staking and restaking platforms, look-alike protocol clones, and "points" or airdrop-farming sites promise outsized restaked yields — then drain a wallet the moment it connects and approves a token spend.
Finance ScamsFraudsters target older homeowners with fake or misrepresented reverse mortgage products, collecting fees for loans that never materialise or steering victims into predatory terms that risk their home.
Gambling & Betting ScamsUnlicensed casino websites and apps that manipulate game outcomes, block or delay withdrawals, and vanish once players have deposited significant money.
Telecom & Account ScamsFraudsters impersonate mobile carriers offering roaming bundles or data add-ons, collecting payment for credits that are never applied to the account.
Housing & Rental ScamsUnlicensed removal companies provide an artificially low estimate, then present a dramatically higher bill on moving day and refuse to unload until paid.
Extortion & Blackmail ScamsSomeone who has learned about a victim's extramarital affair or secret relationship — a former partner, a third party, or a criminal posing as one — threatens to expose it to a spouse, family, or employer unless paid.
Crypto & Web3 ScamsScammers build romantic or friendly relationships online before introducing a supposedly exclusive crypto mining pool that generates consistent returns until the victim tries to withdraw.
Auto & Vehicle ScamsVehicles written off as total losses are cosmetically repaired and sold without disclosure of their salvage status — exposing buyers to structural safety risks and insurance complications.
Education & Student ScamsFake awards that charge application or processing fees for scholarships or grants that either do not exist or were never open to the target.
Tech ScamsScammers buy sponsored search ads that sit above the genuine result for a bank, brand, or download, routing users to lookalike phishing pages, fake support numbers, or trojanised installers.
Housing & Rental ScamsFraudsters pose as landlords or existing tenants in a shared house to collect deposits and first month's rent for rooms that are already occupied, do not exist, or belong to someone else.
Utility & Energy ScamsFraudsters posing as meter engineers to gain entry, steal data, or charge fees for free government schemes.
Online Shopping ScamsFraudulent sellers using live video shopping events to collect real-time payments for goods that are never delivered or are misrepresented.
Social Media & Account TakeoverFake 'Sign in with [Platform]' buttons and malicious OAuth app authorisations that harvest tokens granting persistent access to your account.
Extortion & Blackmail ScamsA scammer who gains access to — or convincingly claims to have access to — a social media account demands payment to return it or threatens to lock out, delete, or expose its contents.
Lottery & Prize ScamsFraudsters create fake accounts impersonating celebrities, brands, or influencers to run fake giveaways that harvest personal data, cryptocurrency, or upfront fees.
MLM, Pyramid & Hustle ScamsSchemes operating through social media lifestyle content that recruit followers into paid programmes, teams, or communities where the real income model is perpetual recruitment, not the advertised income skill.
Lottery & Prize ScamsFake lottery winner announcements on social platforms that contact users directly to extract fees or personal details under the pretence of prize delivery.
Online Shopping ScamsPop-up shops on social platforms that advertise heavily, take payment, then disappear.
Government Impersonation ScamsScammers pose as Social Security Administration officials and falsely claim the victim's Social Security Number has been suspended due to suspicious activity, demanding payment or personal information to reactivate it.
Home Services & Contractor ScamsHigh-pressure solar sales pitches convince homeowners to pay large deposits for installations that are delayed indefinitely or never happen, often through fly-by-night or unlicensed installers.
Utility & Energy ScamsFraudulent installers taking deposits for solar systems that are never installed, substandard, or unsafe.
Ticket & Event ScamsScammers target fans desperate for tickets to a sold-out event by inventing tickets, memberships, or 'guaranteed access' offers that don't exist.
Faith & Religious ScamsA recurring-payment scam in which a self-described spiritual practitioner convinces a target they are cursed and that only ongoing, escalating payments can remove or hold off the affliction.
Ticket & Event ScamsFake or duplicated tickets for major games, finals, and playoffs sold through social media, classifieds, and fan forums leave buyers turned away at the stadium gate.
Gambling & Betting ScamsUnregulated or dishonest leveraged spread betting platforms that manufacture sudden margin calls, requote prices against the client, and block withdrawals unless further 'top-up' payments are made.
Housing & Rental ScamsA squatter occupies a vacant property without authorization and uses a forged or fabricated lease agreement to claim tenancy rights, delaying legal removal for weeks or months.
Gaming ScamsScammers trick players into sharing or approving a manipulated trade offer or trade URL, redirecting valuable in-game items or an entire inventory to an account they control.
Benefits & Welfare ScamsFraudulent messages claim recipients qualify for a government stimulus or relief payment, harvesting bank details or charging a fee to release funds that do not exist.
MLM, Pyramid & Hustle ScamsPaid trading 'signal' or stock-tip groups that combine unverifiable performance claims with a referral commission for recruiting new subscribers, functioning more as a subscription-recruitment scheme than a genuine trading-education service.
Home Services & Contractor ScamsAfter a hailstorm or severe weather event, traveling roofing crews descend on affected neighborhoods offering quick repairs, inflating insurance claims or pocketing large deposits before disappearing.
Imposter & Emergency ScamsA message or call claims a family member travelling overseas has been robbed, lost their documents, or is otherwise stranded and needs emergency funds wired immediately. The situation is fabricated.
Subscription & Billing ScamsFraudulent emails and texts impersonate popular streaming platforms, warning that a renewal payment has failed, to trick recipients into entering card details or login credentials on a fake billing page.
Education & Student ScamsCompanies that charge large upfront fees promising guaranteed federal loan cancellation — money that cannot be recovered once paid and services that are either free or impossible.
Education & Student ScamsFraudulent services that charge upfront fees to 'forgive', reduce, or manage student loan debt — help that is free through official channels.
Education & Student ScamsFraudulent education consultants and visa agents who take fees for overseas study placements, visa processing, or accommodation that never materialise.
Online Shopping ScamsFree trials or low-cost offers that silently enrol buyers in recurring charges that are difficult to cancel.
Romance & Relationship ScamsFake offers of a generous weekly allowance that require an upfront payment before anything is ever received.
Adult & Creator-Platform ScamsA supposed benefactor promises a regular allowance for companionship but requires an upfront 'verification' or 'processing' payment first, or sends a fraudulent check that bounces after money has already been sent back.
Health & Medical ScamsFake surrogacy agencies, brokers, and 'surrogates' collect huge upfront fees, fake escrow deposits, and expense payments for journeys that never happen — often across borders.
Lottery & Prize ScamsFake sweepstakes notifications demanding processing fees, taxes, or charges before delivering a prize that never arrives.
AI-Era ScamsCriminals combine real and AI-generated identity details to create new credit profiles that are used to take out loans, cards, and credit in a name that is partly or wholly fictitious.
Identity Theft & Data ScamsFraudsters combine real and fabricated personal data to create a new 'synthetic' identity, then build credit before vanishing with borrowed funds. Victims often do not realise until a debt collector calls years later.
Identity Theft & Data ScamsA fraudster files a tax return using your Social Security Number or national identifier before you do, claiming your refund. You only discover the fraud when your legitimate return is rejected as a duplicate — and reclaiming the refund can take months.
Subscription & Billing ScamsUnauthorised third-party charges are added to your phone bill — often for services you never ordered — exploiting the billing relationship between you and your carrier.
Job & Income ScamsUnsolicited Telegram messages offering easy paid tasks that lead into deposit-based task scams.
Health & Medical ScamsSham online 'clinics' charge consultation fees and rubber-stamp prescriptions for weight-loss drugs, stimulants, and other in-demand medicines with no real medical assessment — or take payment and insurance details and deliver nothing, or something unsafe.
Health & Medical ScamsFake or unregistered online consultation services that charge patients for worthless or dangerous medical advice, collect sensitive health data, and issue illegitimate prescriptions.
Faith & Religious ScamsPhishing campaigns that impersonate well-known televangelists or broadcast ministries to trick viewers into entering payment details or personal information on fraudulent donation pages.
Faith & Religious ScamsCloned websites and messages impersonating a specific, real temple or mosque's donation channel to intercept congregational and community giving.
Social Media & Account TakeoverMessages posing as TikTok's Creator Fund or Creativity Program invite creators to 'claim' earnings or bonus payouts, directing them to a phishing page that steals login credentials or payment information.
Travel ScamsHigh-pressure sales for worthless timeshare contracts and vacation clubs — plus fake 'exit' services that charge upfront to escape them.
Housing & Rental ScamsFake resale companies that charge upfront fees to sell your timeshare — and never deliver a buyer.
Auto & Vehicle ScamsA vehicle with a salvage, flood, or lemon title is re-registered in a different state or country to obtain a clean title, hiding serious damage history.
MLM, Pyramid & Hustle ScamsSchemes selling expensive travel club memberships with the promise of discounted holidays and a multi-level income from recruiting new members — where the travel discounts rarely justify the cost and income depends on perpetual recruitment.
Online Shopping ScamsA complex scam where criminals use stolen card details to fulfil marketplace orders, leaving buyers unaware they funded fraud.
Gaming ScamsFake giveaways on streaming platforms and community servers that steal credentials or harvest personal data.
Bereavement & Inheritance ScamsScammers impersonate 'heir hunter' investigators claiming to have located an unclaimed estate belonging to the target's family, charging fees or taking a cut of a payout that never materializes.
Mail & Courier FraudText messages falsely claim a courier attempted delivery and failed, demanding a small redelivery fee that is actually used to steal full card details.
Benefits & Welfare ScamsScammers pose as benefits caseworkers offering to speed up a universal credit advance payment in exchange for a fee or bank access, exploiting claimants waiting for their first payment.
Utility & Energy ScamsA caller or message urges you to 'enroll' in automatic bill payments through a link or third-party portal, actually capturing your bank or card details for unauthorized use.
Housing & Rental ScamsScammers advertise vacation rentals that do not exist or are not theirs to rent, collecting upfront payment through off-platform channels before travelers discover there is no real booking.
Social Media & Account TakeoverFake 'apply for your blue tick' messages that harvest account credentials or charge fees for a badge that never arrives.
Benefits & Welfare ScamsScammers pose as benefit specialists or advocates charging illegal upfront fees to help veterans apply for or increase disability and pension benefits.
Auto & Vehicle ScamsVehicles with a concealed accident history, stolen identity, or fraudulently cleared title sold as clean cars to unsuspecting buyers.
Auto & Vehicle ScamsA stolen or salvaged vehicle is given the identity of a legitimate vehicle by copying its VIN, making it appear to have a clean history.
Legal & Immigration ScamsFraudulent notifications claiming you have won the Diversity Visa lottery that demand fees before a visa is issued — or fake application services that charge to submit the free official form.
Romance & Relationship ScamsOnline partners who request money for visa fees, flight costs, or migration paperwork as part of a plan to supposedly come and live with you.
Home Services & Contractor ScamsDoor-to-door sales agents conduct a dramatic water quality demonstration, exaggerate health risks, and pressure homeowners into expensive water filtration systems they do not need.
Payment Card & ATM FraudMalicious code hidden in a genuine online store's checkout silently copies your card details as you type them, even though your order goes through normally.
Extortion & Blackmail ScamsMass-spam emails falsely claim the sender hacked your webcam and recorded you watching adult content, then demand payment to suppress the footage. The footage does not exist.
Job & Income ScamsRandom WhatsApp messages offering remote work that funnel victims into task or fee scams.
Romance & Relationship ScamsScammers targeting bereaved people with manufactured empathy, exploiting grief to build trust and then request money.
Finance ScamsSellers pitch casks of whisky or cases of fine wine as guaranteed-growth investments, but the goods are overpriced, misdescribed, or nonexistent — and the unregulated market offers no compensation when the firm vanishes.
Lottery & Prize ScamsUnsolicited phone calls claiming you have won a prize, used to extract fees, personal information, or payment card details over the phone.
Benefits & Welfare ScamsScammers impersonate government agencies to tell pensioners their winter fuel payment is at risk unless they confirm bank details or pay a fee.
Job & Income ScamsBogus remote-work offers built around upfront fees, useless 'kits', or unpaid 'training'.
Auto & Vehicle ScamsA car dealer lets a buyer drive away with a vehicle on provisional financing, then contacts them days later to demand higher payments or the return of the vehicle — exploiting a financing shortfall that may never have existed.
Social Media & Account TakeoverEmails impersonating YouTube warn that a channel received a copyright or community-guidelines strike and will be terminated unless the creator logs in through a fake link, handing over credentials that lead to full channel takeover.
Finance ScamsScammers exploit Zelle's instant, bank-to-bank, near-irreversible transfers by posing as your bank's fraud team, sending fake payment requests, or trapping marketplace buyers and sellers. Once the money moves, it is usually gone for good.