Five Tips on how to identify a Scam
There are various forms of scams, these include age old dirty notes scam, lottery scams, Inheritance scams, Investment scams to job scams, marriage scams, organ donation scams, education and training scams. While each of the scam has some unique modus operandi but they also have certain common characteristics. I have listed down some and would be happy to update it based on inputs:
1- Scarcity - There would always be a scarcity of the item/service being offered. Be it a job or investment offer. This is used as a bait to get the target to act fast.
2- Confidentiality - Scamsters would want the target victim to keep the offer confidential, they don't want the victim to consult others.
3- Too good to be true - Target victim usually thank their "luck" and past "good karma/deeds" to be chosen for the offer, it is because the offer is so good, it's almost unbelievable; which it is.
4- Commitment - It may be financial/non financial and usually is notional, but once it is made, target has committed. More demands would follow soon for sure. For certain scams, targets are first offered some freebies and all they have do it commit their time; after that it's a matter of using social engineering to get the victims to pay up. Some classic include - certain type of immigration seminars/ "talent hunt"/holiday clubs etc. (Disclaimer : Some of these classics may not be fraud but a sales tactic)
5-Big Names - Scamsters use renown names to lure victims, sometimes it is plain impersonation at other times it's implied in a certain manner. They know that victims would search for those names on internet (usually google) & use relevant names. For elaborate scams, they even work to ensure only the right matches come up and negative ones are difficult to locate.
Wish you all scam free life, please feel free to add other characteristics...
1- Scarcity - There would always be a scarcity of the item/service being offered. Be it a job or investment offer. This is used as a bait to get the target to act fast.
2- Confidentiality - Scamsters would want the target victim to keep the offer confidential, they don't want the victim to consult others.
3- Too good to be true - Target victim usually thank their "luck" and past "good karma/deeds" to be chosen for the offer, it is because the offer is so good, it's almost unbelievable; which it is.
4- Commitment - It may be financial/non financial and usually is notional, but once it is made, target has committed. More demands would follow soon for sure. For certain scams, targets are first offered some freebies and all they have do it commit their time; after that it's a matter of using social engineering to get the victims to pay up. Some classic include - certain type of immigration seminars/ "talent hunt"/holiday clubs etc. (Disclaimer : Some of these classics may not be fraud but a sales tactic)
5-Big Names - Scamsters use renown names to lure victims, sometimes it is plain impersonation at other times it's implied in a certain manner. They know that victims would search for those names on internet (usually google) & use relevant names. For elaborate scams, they even work to ensure only the right matches come up and negative ones are difficult to locate.
Wish you all scam free life, please feel free to add other characteristics...
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