Common scams
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Search by scam type, a company or phone number, a date, or just describe what happened. Every entry is written in plain language and links back to a public source.
20 scams shown
| Scam | Type | Status | Reported | Region | What happens |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AI trading bot promises daily returns after small test deposit CASE-2026-0020 | Investment | Circulating now | May 20, 2026 | US | A trading-bot pitch claims artificial intelligence will produce fixed daily gains after the target funds an account. |
| Celebrity deepfake endorses fake investment platform CASE-2026-0019 | Investment | Circulating now | May 19, 2026 | US | A social ad uses an AI-generated celebrity clip to push a fake financial product or trading platform. |
| Pig-butchering contact builds trust before exchange deposit CASE-2026-0018 | Crypto | Circulating now | May 18, 2026 | International | A social contact moves the target from friendly chat to a private crypto exchange showing fabricated gains. |
| Crypto recovery firm guarantees stolen-wallet return CASE-2026-0017 | Crypto | Confirmed | May 17, 2026 | US | A recovery service contacts a prior scam victim and asks for an upfront fee to retrieve lost cryptocurrency. |
| Browser hijack freezes tab with ransomware warning CASE-2026-0016 | Tech support | Circulating now | May 16, 2026 | US | A malicious page locks the browser view, claims data will be destroyed, and routes the target to a fake support number. |
| Mystery shopper assignment converts fake check into gift cards CASE-2026-0008 | Employment | Confirmed | May 15, 2026 | US | A secret-shopper job sends a check, tells the target to buy gift cards, and asks for photos of the card numbers. |
| Apple storage notice asks for account login and card CASE-2026-0004 | Phishing | Circulating now | May 14, 2026 | US | A cloud-storage alert claims an Apple account is full or locked and asks the target to sign in through a phishing page. |
| Fake delivery address verification requests card data CASE-2026-0003 | Phishing | Circulating now | May 13, 2026 | US | A package notice says the address is incomplete and then asks for a credit card to cover a made-up delivery tax. |
| IRS balance text threatens same-day levy CASE-2026-0002 | IRS impersonation | Confirmed | May 12, 2026 | US | A government-imposter message says a tax balance must be paid immediately by gift card, payment app, or crypto. |
| Recruiter on job board asks for SSN before interview CASE-2026-0007 | Employment | Circulating now | May 11, 2026 | US | A fake recruiter claims to represent a known employer and pushes direct-deposit paperwork before any verified interview. |
| Fake assistant role uses home-office equipment vendor CASE-2026-0006 | Employment | Circulating now | May 10, 2026 | US | A polished job offer asks the target to buy office equipment through a named vendor using funds from a fraudulent check. |
| Customs payment text demands $3.99 to release delivery CASE-2026-0001 | Phishing | Circulating now | May 9, 2026 | US | A delivery-hold SMS asks for a small customs payment and routes the target to a lookalike shipping page. |
| Remote assistant offer starts with an overpayment check CASE-2026-0005 | Employment | Confirmed | May 8, 2026 | US | A remote assistant role sends a check for supplies, then asks the worker to return excess funds before the check fails. |
| Fake virus warning sells annual cleanup plan CASE-2026-0015 | Tech support | Circulating now | May 7, 2026 | US | A support imposter claims the device has severe errors and sells unnecessary cleanup software or a warranty plan. |
| Foreign investor romance pretext moves into crypto wallet CASE-2026-0012 | Romance | Circulating now | May 6, 2026 | International | A romantic contact builds trust, then introduces a private investment platform and asks the target to fund a wallet. |
| Wealthy widower profile asks for medical and visa payments CASE-2026-0011 | Romance | Confirmed | May 5, 2026 | US | A dating contact claims financial success but needs short-term help with medical, travel, or document fees. |
| Oil-rig worker needs equipment fee before visiting CASE-2026-0010 | Romance | Circulating now | May 4, 2026 | US | A romance contact claims to work offshore and asks for a fee tied to equipment, customs, or travel release. |
| Deployed soldier profile asks for emergency travel money CASE-2026-0009 | Romance | Circulating now | May 3, 2026 | US | A dating profile claims military deployment prevents a meeting, then asks for money tied to leave, travel, or documents. |
| Apple security call asks for remote access CASE-2026-0014 | Tech support | Circulating now | May 2, 2026 | US | A caller says Apple found malware on the device and asks the target to install a remote-control tool. |
| Microsoft-style popup locks browser and lists support number CASE-2026-0013 | Tech support | Confirmed | May 1, 2026 | US | A full-screen browser alert claims the computer is infected and tells the target to call a fake support line. |
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