Common Scams You Need to Know

Scammers create fake profiles on dating apps, social media or send "wrong number" texts. They spend weeks or months building deep emotional trust before introducing a fraudulent crypto investment platform. Once significant funds are deposited, the platform disappears and all money is lost.

Unsolicited messages via WhatsApp or Telegram offer simple paid tasks — rating products, liking videos, completing surveys. Small initial payments build trust. Then "premium tasks" require a deposit. The account is frozen until more is paid. The cycle continues until victims stop paying.

Professional-looking trading platforms show guaranteed returns and impressive dashboards. All figures are fabricated. When victims attempt to withdraw, endless "tax fees," "verification fees" or "insurance deposits" are demanded. The platform eventually disappears, taking everything.

Fraudsters run paid advertisements on Meta (Facebook/Instagram), X (Twitter), TikTok and Telegram promoting "guaranteed high returns," "exclusive crypto trading pools" or "airdrop giveaways." Ads feature deepfake videos of real celebrities — Elon Musk, MrBeast, prominent investors — endorsing the scheme. Fake testimonials, professional-looking landing pages and urgency tactics ("only 12 slots remaining") drive victims to send cryptocurrency to a provided wallet address. Once the transfer is made, the transaction is irreversible and the scammer disappears.

Fake giveaways impersonating Elon Musk, Binance, Coinbase or other crypto figures promise to "double your crypto" if you send first. Others lure victims into connecting their wallets to malicious sites that drain all funds instantly. Some distribute fake tokens that appear valuable but are worthless.

Callers spoof official phone numbers to appear as police, HMRC, IRS, your bank, or government agencies. They claim your account is compromised, you're under investigation, or your money is at risk. Victims are pressured to move funds to a "safe account" or purchase gift cards immediately.

Fake pop-ups or calls claim your computer has a virus or has been hacked. Victims are directed to call a number or download remote access software (AnyDesk, TeamViewer). Once access is granted, scammers steal banking credentials, install malware, and drain accounts.

Fake emails or texts impersonate trusted organisations (banks, Amazon, HMRC, DHL, Netflix) to steal login credentials or card details. Links lead to convincing replica websites. Smishing (SMS phishing) surged with fake delivery notifications demanding a small redelivery fee.

Victims receive emails or messages claiming a large sum of money is available — inheritance, lottery winnings, business deal, or government funds — but requires a small advance fee to release. Each payment unlocks another fee requirement. Victims have lost millions chasing a payout that never arrives.

Fraudsters offer guaranteed loans regardless of credit history, or promise to eliminate debt for a fee. Victims pay upfront "processing," "insurance" or "administration" fees and receive nothing. The operation disappears after collecting fees from multiple victims simultaneously.

Scammers impersonate trusted brands (Binance, MetaMask, Coinbase, PayPal), family members, employers or friends. AI voice cloning is now used to fake phone calls from loved ones claiming emergencies. Fake Binance support agents contact users claiming their accounts are at risk and direct them to transfer funds to a "secure wallet" controlled by the scammer.

Attackers convince your mobile carrier to transfer your phone number to a SIM card they control — by impersonating you with stolen personal data. Once they have your number, they bypass SMS two-factor authentication on your email, bank and crypto exchange accounts, draining them before you notice your phone has lost service.

Fraudulent NFT projects or crypto tokens are launched with impressive marketing, celebrity endorsements and promises of utility or returns. Once enough investors have bought in, developers abandon the project and withdraw all liquidity — a "rug pull." The token value collapses to zero overnight.

Scammers copy legitimate property listings or create fake ones on Rightmove, Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace and similar platforms. They pose as landlords or agents and collect deposits and first month's rent before disappearing. Victims arrive to find the property is unavailable, already occupied, or doesn't exist as described.

Fake online stores, social media shops and marketplace listings sell goods that are never delivered, are counterfeit, or are significantly different from advertised. Victims pay via bank transfer or debit card and have little recourse. Facebook and Instagram ads increasingly promote these fraudulent stores.

Victims receive messages claiming they've won a lottery, prize draw, or competition they never entered. To claim winnings, they must pay taxes, release fees, or administrative costs. Each payment unlocks another fee requirement. Winnings are never paid — the prize does not exist.

A caller — or increasingly an AI-cloned voice — impersonates a grandchild or family member claiming to be in an emergency (accident, arrest, hospital). They beg the victim not to tell other family members and request immediate money transfer. A second caller then impersonates a lawyer or police officer to lend legitimacy.

Scammers gain access to your Instagram, WhatsApp or Facebook account through phishing links, credential stuffing or SIM swaps. They then use your account to scam your contacts — posing as you to ask for money, promote fake investments, or spread further phishing links. Victims often don't know they've been compromised until friends report receiving strange messages.

Fake event tickets sold on social media or classified sites using convincing screenshots. Payment via "friends and family" bank transfer provides no buyer protection. Gift card scams involve any situation where you're asked to pay for goods, services, fines or debts using iTunes, Amazon, Google Play or similar gift cards.