Have you ever fallen for a scam in your life? If you have, it feels pretty terrible. Afterward, you might feel like kicking yourself. In retrospect, maybe you should have realized something about the situation didn’t feel right.
You shouldn’t feel bad if a scammer tricks you, though. Spotting likely scams sometimes only comes through life experience. If you lose a little money once, that will probably teach you a valuable lesson. In the future, you will exercise a lot more caution.
In this article, we’ll talk about a few common scams that have been around for a while but that people still fall for today.
Catfishing Scams on Dating Apps:
Some skills only come with time. They’re like recognizing the hallmarks of an effective attorney or knowing what projects you should DIY versus ones you should hire a professional to handle.
Spotting a scam can feel the same way. It is a behavior you learn. If you know a scam’s basic structure, you can usually start to sense it when a scammer feels they have you on the line and they start reeling you in.
Dating apps often have more than their fair share of scammers on them. Some of them can come up with elaborate scenarios that might sound plausible to an individual who doesn’t do much online dating.
Usually, the catfishing scam begins when someone contacts you via a dating app. They start messaging you directly. They might claim to be a person who lives somewhere far from you, like in another state across the country or in an international location.
They might send you images, starting with less racy ones and then becoming more intimate with the pictures and messages if they feel you’re taking the bate. Eventually, they will express affection or even love for you.
At that point, they will usually ask for money. They’ll say it’s so they can buy a plane or bus ticket so they can come and see you. Once you send them the money, they never show up, and they never contact you again. Alternatively, they might ask for funds to pay for a sick relative’s operation or something similar.
The Nigerian Prince:
The Nigerian prince scheme has been around for decades, but someone who doesn’t go online much might still fall for it every once in a while. Someone will send you an email. You won’t recognize the address, but if you open the email and look at it, it will say it’s from a Nigerian Prince or some other highly placed individual.
They will ask for a relatively small amount of money so they can free up a much larger sum. They will promise you a tenfold return on that investment or more. Of course, if you fall for the scam and send the money, you will never see it again or any of the additional funds that this person promised.
The Relative in Jail:
The relative in jail scam usually happens over the phone. Someone will call your phone. You won’t recognize the number, but they impersonate a police officer or someone similar if you pick up.
They will tell you that you have a relative in jail. If you’re a parent, they might say it’s your son or daughter. If you’re a grandparent, they might claim it’s your grandson or granddaughter who’s behind bars.
They will demand money for them to release your relative. To make the scam seem more convincing, they might actually have your relative’s real name. They mat know your name as well.
Don’t buy the act, even if they have some of the details of your life right. You can find out information relatively easily if you do a little online research. Often, these scammers target older adults who they feel present more tempting or gullible targets.
IRS Scams:
IRS scams sometimes happen over email, like the Nigerian prince act, or they sometimes occur over the phone. Usually, someone says they’re from the IRS. Again, they might know your name and even your address in some instances. They can easily get that information via the dark web or through other sources.
They will say you didn’t pay enough in income taxes and that they’re going to take some sort of action against you, like putting a lien on your house or repossessing your car. To stop them from doing that, you must send money, usually to a post office box. Needless to say, it’s not the real IRS, and you’ll never see that cash again if you send it.
Money for a Bus Ticket:
As for in-person scams, you might have someone approach you on the street who says they need money for a bus ticket. Usually, they will have a long, sad story of some kind.
They might say they must get home as quickly as possible so they can help a sick relative who just got out of the hospital. Perhaps they’ll say there’s some other sort of family emergency that demands their attention.
You might hear different variations of this scam. Often, these scammers will concoct a sob story and try to pull at your heartstrings by trying to make themselves and their situation sound as pathetic as possible. They may also count on you looking at their shabby appearance and feeling sympathy for that reason.
If you run into any of these scams, it’s best not to engage. Don’t open emails from individuals or addresses you don’t recognize. Do not answer phone calls from any numbers you don’t know.
If you run into someone on the street who’s probably running a scam on you, they will probably use the money for drugs if you give them any. Even if you feel bad for them, pulling out your wallet comes with its own set of dangers. You never know if this person might try to snatch your wallet or purse once they see you’re carrying cash.
Disclaimer:
CBD:
Qrius does not provide medical advice.
The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (NDPS Act) outlaws the recreational use of cannabis products in India. CBD oil, manufactured under a license issued by the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, can be legally used in India for medicinal purposes only with a prescription, subject to specific conditions. Kindly refer to the legalities here.
The information on this website is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
Gambling:
As per the Public Gambling Act of 1867, all Indian states, except Goa, Daman, and Sikkim, prohibit gambling. Land-based casinos are legalized in Goa and Daman under the Goa, Daman and Diu Public Gambling Act 1976. In Sikkim, land-based casinos, online gambling, and e-gaming (games of chance) are legalized under the Sikkim Online Gaming (Regulation) Rules 2009. Only some Indian states have legalized online/regular lotteries, subject to state laws. Refer to the legalities here. Horse racing and betting on horse racing, including online betting, is permitted only in licensed premises in select states. Refer to the 1996 Supreme Court judgment for more information.
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