Scam Knowledge Graph

Phishing Scam

Fake emails or messages mimicking trusted sources to steal credentials.

Tech Support Scam

Fake tech support claiming your computer is infected.

Romance Scam

Fake romantic interest built to manipulate victims into sending money.

Crypto Investment Scam

Fraudulent cryptocurrency investment schemes promising guaranteed returns.

Gift Card Scam

Demands for payment via gift cards, which are untraceable.

Government Impersonation

Scammers posing as IRS, Social Security, or law enforcement.

Business Invoice Scam

Fake or altered invoices sent to businesses for payment.

Marketplace Scam

Fraud on platforms like Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, eBay.

Job Offer Scam

Fake job postings designed to steal personal info or money.

Rental Scam

Fake rental listings designed to collect deposits.

Package Delivery Scam

Fake delivery notifications with malicious links.

Account Takeover

Unauthorized access to your online accounts.

Charity Scam

Fake charities exploiting disasters or emotions.

Lottery / Prize Scam

Fake prize notifications requiring fees to claim.

Identity Theft

Stolen personal information used for fraud.

Gift Cards

Untraceable prepaid cards used as payment.

Cryptocurrency

Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other digital currencies.

Wire Transfer

Bank-to-bank wire transfers are hard to reverse.

Debit Card

Direct access to your bank account funds.

Credit Card

Credit cards offer stronger fraud protection.

Zelle

Instant bank-to-bank transfers that are hard to reverse.

Cash App / Venmo / PayPal

Peer-to-peer payment apps with limited buyer protection.

Prepaid Cards

Prepaid debit cards are difficult to trace.

Apple Pay / Google Pay

Mobile payment systems linked to your accounts.

Western Union / MoneyGram

Money transfer services popular with scammers.

Email

Phishing emails mimicking trusted senders.

SMS / Text

Smishing: scam text messages with malicious links.

Phone Call

Vishing: voice-based scam calls.

WhatsApp / Telegram

Encrypted messaging apps used for scam outreach.

Social Media

Fake profiles and ads on social platforms.

Dating Apps

Scam profiles on dating platforms.

Marketplace Inbox

Direct messages on buying/selling platforms.

Fake Website Pop-up

Browser pop-ups claiming your device is compromised.

Bank

Scammers posing as your bank.

Amazon / PayPal / Microsoft

Posing as major tech or retail companies.

IRS / Government

Impersonating the IRS, SSA, or other agencies.

Police

Pretending to be law enforcement.

Utility Company

Posing as electric, gas, or water companies.

Employer / Recruiter

Fake job offers or boss impersonation.

Family Member

Pretending to be a relative in trouble.

Military Member

Fake military identity used in romance scams.

Vendor / Supplier

Fake suppliers sending altered invoices.

Delivery Company

Posing as UPS, FedEx, USPS, etc.

Urgency

Creating artificial time pressure.

Fear

Threatening consequences to create panic.

Secrecy

Telling victims to keep the situation secret.

Romance / Affection

Building emotional bonds to exploit trust.

Greed / Investment Promise

Exploiting desire for easy money.

Scarcity

Creating false limited availability.

Authority Pressure

Using positions of power to intimidate.

Unusual Payment Request

Requests for gift cards, crypto, or wire transfers.

Suspicious Domain

URLs that don't match the claimed organization.

Poor Grammar

Unprofessional writing with errors.

Avoids Independent Verification

Person discourages checks through a contact method you already trust.

Moves Off-Platform

Wants to continue conversation elsewhere.

Requests 2FA Code

Asks you to share a verification code.

Requests Remote Access

Asks to control your computer.

Threatens Consequences

Uses threats to force compliance.

Guaranteed Returns

Promises of risk-free profits.

Contact Bank

Alert your bank to freeze accounts and dispute charges.

Freeze Card

Immediately freeze compromised debit or credit cards.

Change Passwords

Update passwords on all potentially compromised accounts.

Enable 2FA

Add two-factor authentication to all accounts.

Freeze Credit

Place a freeze with all three credit bureaus.

Save Screenshots

Document all evidence before it disappears.

Report to FTC

File a report at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Report to IC3

File with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.

Report Compromised Account

Notify platforms where accounts were compromised.

Scan for Malware

Run a full security scan on your devices.