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Types of Scams & Case Scenarios

Scams come in many forms, but most follow similar patterns: trust-building, emotional manipulation, a staged opportunity, then a demand for money or assets. Below are the most common scam types, each with examples that illustrate how they unfold.

Romance Scams

Fraudsters pose as potential partners on dating apps, social media, or messaging platforms. They invest weeks or months building a romantic bond. Once trust is secured, they create an urgent financial need.

  • Case 1 — Emergency Appeal

    A woman chats with a man on a dating site who claims to be an engineer abroad. After weeks of affectionate exchanges, he says he’s stuck in customs and urgently needs $3,000 to release equipment. She wires the money, only for more “emergencies” to follow.

  • Case 2 — Crypto Investment Through Romance

    A victim meets a “successful trader” on a dating app. After flirting for weeks, the scammer introduces crypto investing. They provide access to a professional-looking site where the victim deposits funds. The site shows large “profits,” and the victim is even allowed to withdraw a small sum, creating trust. Later, when the victim invests larger amounts, withdrawals are blocked, and requests for “taxes” or “fees” begin — all fake.

Pig Butchering Scams

Pig butchering scams combine elements of romance and investment fraud. The scammer (“butcher”) cultivates the victim (“pig”) over weeks or months, slowly “fattening” them with attention, affection, and trust before the financial “slaughter.” This method is one of the fastest-growing global scams, especially in crypto. It often begins on dating apps, social media, or even unsolicited WhatsApp/Telegram messages.

Scammers use scripted conversations, stolen photos, and even live video calls (sometimes deepfakes) to appear genuine. Once trust is built, they introduce an “exclusive investment opportunity” — typically a cryptocurrency trading platform.

Key Tactics:

  • Fake exchanges & apps: Victims are sent links to convincing but fraudulent trading websites or apps, often with names resembling legitimate exchanges.
  • Staged profits & small withdrawals: Victims are encouraged to invest small amounts. At first, the platform shows profits, and sometimes allows a small withdrawal to prove legitimacy.
  • Escalating deposits: Scammers then persuade victims to deposit larger amounts, claiming higher returns, time-limited opportunities, or “VIP tiers.”
  • Exit scam: When the victim tries to withdraw significant funds, they’re blocked. Often, fake “taxes” or “fees” are demanded first — if paid, the scammer disappears.

  • Case 1 — Quick Profits

    Michael, 42, met “Lily” on a language-learning app. They chatted daily, exchanging photos and voice messages. After two months, Lily mentioned she made consistent profits trading cryptocurrency and offered to teach him. She sent Michael a link to a professional-looking platform showing live prices and account balances. Michael deposited $1,000 and within a week saw it grow to $1,500. Lily suggested he withdraw $200 to “prove the system worked.” The money arrived in his bank account, convincing him it was legitimate. Encouraged, he deposited $200,000 from his savings. The balance showed $270,000 after two weeks. When he tried to withdraw more, the platform claimed he had to pay a “15% tax” first. Michael paid the “tax” — but the withdrawal never came. The site then vanished, and Lily blocked him.

Investment & Crypto Scams

Fraudsters promise high, low-risk returns through trading platforms or crypto investments. They often impersonate legitimate firms, build convincing websites, and may let victims withdraw small amounts at first to build trust.

  • Case 1 — The Fake Exchange

    A man is invited to join an “exclusive trading group.” He’s directed to a sleek platform that looks real. The scammers may recommend a currency merchant to change the victim’s fiat currency into crypto. He deposits $5,000 and within days sees his balance grow to $8,000. He’s allowed to withdraw $1,000. Convinced, he invests $200,000 more. When he tries to withdraw, he’s told he must pay a 20% “tax” upfront. Once he pays, both his funds and the site disappear.

  • Case 2 — Impersonating a Major Platform

    Victims receive links to what looks like major platforms, with identical branding and login screens. They create accounts and deposit crypto. Unknown to them, the site is fake. Their funds are siphoned into scammer wallets.

Impersonation & Business Scams

Fraudsters pose as officials, delivery companies, or employers. They pressure victims with authority or opportunity.

  • Case 1 — CEO Email Scam

    An employee gets an urgent email from the “CEO” requesting a confidential wire transfer for a deal. The email address is subtly altered, but the tone and signature match perfectly. $50,000 is wired to a fraudster-controlled account.

  • Case 2 — Package Delivery Fraud

    A text arrives saying a package is held until a small “customs fee” is paid. The victim clicks a link, enters card details, and loses money through repeated unauthorized charges.

Tech Support Scams

Scammers cold-call or use fake pop-ups claiming a victim’s device is infected. They demand remote access, install malware, and request payment for fake “repairs.”

  • Case 1 — Pop-Up Alert

    While browsing, a victim sees a full-screen warning: “Your PC is infected! Call Microsoft now.” Panicked, they call the number. A “technician” takes remote access, plants files, and demands $400 in gift cards to fix it.

  • Case 2 — Phone Call Threat

    A scammer calls pretending to be technical support, warning of a “breach.” They persuade the victim to reveal their OS login details, which are then used to steal data and money.

Lottery, Prize & Inheritance Scams

Victims are told they’ve won a prize or are heirs to a fortune but must pay “fees” to claim it.

  • Case 1 — Lottery Fee Scam

    A man receives an email congratulating him for winning $250,000. To release funds, he must pay a $1,200 “processing fee.” He pays, but no winnings arrive.

  • Case 2 — Fake Inheritance

    A woman is told she’s the beneficiary of a wealthy stranger’s estate. She pays multiple rounds of “legal fees” before realizing no such inheritance exists.

Recovery Scams

These prey on victims after the initial fraud. Criminals pose as law firms, investigators, or recovery specialists. They claim they can retrieve lost funds but demand upfront fees. Often they are the original scammers.

  • Case 1 — Fake Law Firm- unsolicited contact

    A victim of a crypto scam is contacted by “Global Legal Recovery.” They show fake documents and claim they can recover $50,000 for a 15% advance fee. Once paid, the group disappears.

  • Case 2 — Second Scam on Social Media- unsolicited contact

    A victim posts about being scammed in a forum. Someone messages offering recovery services. They promise quick results, request a deposit, then vanish — leaving the victim doubly defrauded.