How do scammers work?

Fraudsters use various methods and schemes to deceive people, steal money, data or other resources. Their activities are based on the manipulation of trust, the use of psychological tricks and the exploitation of vulnerabilities in security systems. Let's consider how fraudsters work, their main methods and ways to protect against them.

1. Basic principles of fraudsters' work​

1.1. Exploitation of trust​

• Fraudsters create the appearance of legality:
  • Imitate famous brands or companies.
  • They offer conditions that are too tempting (for example, low prices or high incomes).

1.2. Psychological manipulation​

• Use emotional triggers:
  • Urgency ("Offer valid today only").
  • Greed ("Earn 100% profit in a week").
  • Fear ("Your account will be blocked").

1.3. Adaptation to new technologies​

• Fraudsters are quickly mastering new tools:
  • Social media.
  • Cryptocurrencies.
  • Artificial intelligence for creating fake websites or messages.

2. Main methods of scammers​

2.1. Phishing​

• Scammers send fake emails or messages:
  • They imitate banks, payment systems or popular services.
  • They ask for bank card details, passwords or personal information.
• Example: "Your account has been blocked. Enter your recovery details."

2.2. Fake sites​

• They create websites that look like real ones:
  • Use similar domains (for example, "amaz0n.com" instead of "amazon.com").
  • They sell products that do not exist.
• Example: "Buy an iPhone with a 70% discount!"

2.3. False investments​

• They promise high incomes:
  • Fake cryptocurrency exchanges.
  • Pyramids and financial pyramids.
• Example: "Invest 100, get 1000 in a month."

2.4. Mobile scammers​

• Call or send SMS:
  • "You have won a car. Transfer the tax to receive it."
  • "Your relative is in trouble, transfer money urgently."

2.5. Social Engineering​

• They manipulate victims through personal communication:
  • They pretend to be bank employees or support service employees.
  • They use psychological pressure.

2.6 Gift Fraud​

• Offering "free" products:
  • They ask for prepayment for delivery.
  • The goods are either not shipped or are of poor quality.

3. How scammers disguise their activities​

3.1. Using anonymous tools​

• VPN, Tor and other technologies for hiding IP addresses.
• Anonymous wallets (eg Bitcoin).
• Temporary email addresses and phone numbers.

3.2. Frequent change of platforms​

• After being exposed, the scammers:
  • They change websites, domains and advertising channels.
  • They are moving to new platforms (for example, from Telegram to WhatsApp).

3.3. Using Bots​

• Automate sending messages or calls.
• They create fake accounts to promote schemes.

4. Examples of popular scammers' schemes​

4.1. Card fraud​

• They buy goods using stolen card data.
• They sell counterfeit cards through the darknet.

4.2 Rental Fraud​

• They post ads for non-existent real estate.
• They ask for advance payment for rent.

4.3. Job Fraud​

• They promise a highly paid job:
  • They ask for payment for "training" or "commission".
• Example: "Become a sales manager, pay $50 for training."

4.4 Cryptocurrency Scams​

• They promise quick income:
  • They are selling fake tokens.
  • They create fake exchanges.

5. How to protect yourself from scammers​

5.1. Be careful​

• Don't trust offers that are too good to be true.
• Check the websites and contacts of companies.

5.2. Data protection​

• Do not enter your bank card details on suspicious websites.
• Use two-factor authentication.

5.3. Verification of information​

• Look for reviews about a company or service.
• Check the website's domain name.

5.4. Secure payments​

• Use secure payment systems (eg PayPal).
• Avoid transfers to personal accounts.

5.5. Training​

• Learn about common scams.
• Inform your friends and family about possible threats.

6. What to do if you have become a victim of fraudsters​

6.1 Contact the bank​

• Block the card or cancel the transaction.
• Report suspicious activity.

6.2. Report to law enforcement​

• File a police report.
• Provide all available evidence (correspondence, receipts).

6.3. Inform others​

• Tell us about scammers on social networks.
• Add the website or phone number to the blacklist.

Conclusion​

Fraudsters are constantly improving their methods to deceive as many people as possible. However, most schemes are based on trust manipulation and psychological tricks. To protect yourself, it is important to be attentive, verify information and use safe payment methods.

The main conclusion: Be careful when communicating with strangers, making online purchases or investments. If something seems suspicious, it is better to double-check the information before making a decision.

Fraudsters use a variety of schemes to trick people into giving them money, data, or personal information. Here are the main methods they use and how to protect yourself from them:

1. Social engineering (manipulation of psychology)​

Fraudsters play on emotions: fear, greed, trust.

• Examples:
  • "Your bank account is blocked! Please provide your unblocking details immediately."
  • "You've won an iPhone! Transfer 10$ for delivery."
• Protection:
  • Never give out passwords, CVV codes, SMS codes by phone or in messages.
  • Check the information through official sources (bank website, service).

2. Phishing (fake websites and emails)​

Creation of fake pages similar to real ones (banks, social networks, government services).

• How it works:
  • You receive a letter: “Your account has been hacked, follow the link.”
  • The link leads to a fake site where the data entry is stolen.
• Protection:
  • Always check the URL (official domain - for example, https://www.bank.com, not bank-ssl.com).
  • Do not open attachments in suspicious emails.

3. Malicious software (viruses, trojans)​

• How to infect:
  • Through hacked programs, fake updates, pirated software.
  • The virus can intercept SMS, entered passwords, and card data.
• Protection:
  • Install antivirus (Kaspersky, Malwarebytes).
  • Do not download files from questionable sites.

4. Payment fraud​

• Schemes:
  • “Help, I urgently need money!” (fake requests from “friends” on social networks).
  • "Buy the product at a huge discount" (after payment the seller disappears).
• Protection:
  • Transfer money only to trusted people.
  • Buy on official platforms (Amazon).

5. Investment and cryptocurrency scams​

• Examples:
  • "Invest 1000 - get 1000 - get 5000 in a month!" (pyramids, fake crypto projects).
  • Fake exchanges with a "super rate" of exchange.
• Protection:
  • Don't trust promises of "guaranteed profits."
  • Check the licenses of companies.

6. SIM swapping (phone number interception)​

• How it works:
  • The fraudster transfers your number to his SIM card and gains access to bank SMS.
• Protection:
  • Enable additional authentication (not only SMS, but also Google Authenticator).
  • Set a PIN code for your SIM card with your mobile operator.

What to do if you have been deceived?​

1. Bank card:
   • Call the bank immediately.
   • Submit a request to cancel the transaction.
2. Online fraud:
   • Complain to the cyber police.
3. Save the evidence:
   • Screenshots of correspondence, phone numbers, details of scammers.

The main rule​

If the offer seems too good, it is 99% a scam.
Trust only verified sources and do not rush to transfer money to strangers.

If you need help checking a service/site, ask!

Fraudsters use various methods and schemes to deceive people in order to obtain money or personal data. Here are the main aspects of their work:

1. Basic methods of fraud​

• Phishing: Fraudsters create fake websites or send emails that look official to steal users' personal information. For example, they might send a link to a fake bank website where users enter their logins and passwords.
• False job offers: Fraudsters post job ads with tempting terms, but require prepayment for training or employment. Often, such companies turn out to be "one-day firms".
• Investment schemes: Fraudsters offer high-yield investments, promising quick profits. After receiving the money, they disappear, leaving the victims without funds.

2. Psychology of scammers​

Scammers often use psychological tricks to manipulate victims. They may create a sense of urgency or exclusivity, causing people to act quickly without thinking through their actions. For example, they may claim that an offer is limited in time or only available to a select few.

3. How to recognize a scam​

• Unrealistic Promises: If an offer sounds too good to be true, it's probably a scam.
• Lack of transparency: Scammers often hide their identity and contact details and do not provide clear information about the company.
• Pressure to make a decision: If you are being pressured to make a decision quickly, this may be a sign of a scam.

4. How to protect yourself from scammers​

• Do your research: Research a company or offer before making a decision. Use reviews and ratings.
• Don't share personal information: Never share your passwords or financial information with strangers.
• Be careful with advance payments: Avoid situations where you are asked to pay for services that should be free or paid only after the work is done.

Fraud is a serious problem and it is important to be alert and careful to avoid becoming a victim of fraud.