Scammers rarely look like scammers. They look like opportunities. Here are five patterns to recognise, and questions to ask before your money leaves your hands.
1. The guaranteed investment
Any scheme promising fixed, guaranteed high returns with zero risk is lying. Real investments can lose value, and honest promoters say so plainly.
2. Money doubling and transfer tricks
Send 10,000 and receive 20,000? The only person guaranteed to profit is the sender of that message. Never send money to make money this way.
3. The urgent processing fee
You won a grant, a contract or a job, but you must pay a fee today to release it. Genuine organisations deduct fees from your payment, not before it.
4. Goods too cheap to be true
Suppliers offering prices far below market often vanish after receiving payment. Verify business identity, ask for references, and pay in stages you control.
5. The pay-to-work job
Real employers do not charge you for training kits, uniforms or registration before you have earned anything.
Three questions that expose almost any scam
- Can I verify this person or company independently?
- Why is speed being used to pressure me?
- Who exactly keeps my money if this fails?
If you cannot answer all three comfortably, walk away and talk to someone you trust before sending anything.
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