Blackmail emails that accuse you of a crime, fake job and apartment advertisements or fake love relationships and emergencies are also common scams to get your money. Our partners from Watchlist-Internet inform you.
This is how the scam works
- The victims are offered millions in winnings, cheap apartments, dream jobs or loans.
- Trust is built through intensive communication.
- The money, the apartment or the job are within reach.
- But then you find out that you have to transfer an amount of money first. These can be insurance fees, taxes or expenses, legal fees or contract establishment fees.
- The criminals promise you that you will get the money back.
- But anyone who transfers loses their money.
- The demands for money will continue until you realize it is a scam.
Be careful when requesting a copy of your ID
In many cases, criminals also request that a copy of your ID be sent to you. This will then be used for further fraud on your behalf.
Different forms of scams
Criminals use different ways to get you to pay in advance. Common stitches are:
- Love scam
- Blackmail emails and false accusations
- Promise of profit
- Fraudulent loan offers
- Fake apartment advertisements
- Job scamming
How to recognize scams
- Unrealistic offer: Offers that are too good to be true usually have fraudulent intent.
- Sudden win: Have you won something even though you haven't taken part in any competitions?
- Advance payment: You must transfer an amount of money in advance. The criminals give different reasons for this, which often even sound plausible.
- Blackmail: Are you accused of a crime and being blackmailed? Are you threatened with releasing intimate video material? All fake!
- Contacting strangers: Be careful if you write to unknown people on the Internet who, after a short time, talk about love, want to entice you into a sex chat or ask you for money, valuables or voucher codes.
- Manipulation, pressure and threats: Be careful if you are pressured or threatened if you do not transfer money. Break off contact and block the person.
Are you unsure whether the offer is serious?
- Do not trust strangers or organizations lightly. Research the situation, person or organization online. Use the search terms “fake,” “scam,” or “fraud.”
- Enter parts of the email or the subject into the search engine. You may already be warned.
- Do not dial a phone number provided in the email. These are often premium value added numbers.
- Criminals often send copies of ID cards to build trust. Be careful, these are stolen ID cards!
- Report dubious offers to the Internet Watchlist . The Internet Watchlist supports you in assessing dubious offers.
Source:
Watchlist Internet
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