The Fraud Codex
Your comprehensive encyclopedia of scams, fraud schemes, and deceptive tactics. Learn how they work and protect yourself.
Pig Butchering Scam
Long-con investment scam combining romance and crypto fraud where scammers "fatten" victims before "slaughtering" them financially.
Ponzi Scheme
Fraudulent investment scheme where returns for existing investors are paid using funds from new investors rather than legitimate profits.
Forex Trading Scam
Fraudulent foreign exchange trading platforms or "experts" who promise guaranteed profits from currency trading.
Tech Support Scam
Scammers pose as Microsoft, Apple, or other tech companies to convince you your computer has a virus and charge for fake repairs.
Geek Squad / Best Buy Scam
Fake emails claiming your Geek Squad subscription auto-renewed for hundreds of dollars, prompting you to call for a "refund."
Government Impersonation Scam
Scammers pose as IRS, Social Security Administration, Medicare, or law enforcement to demand immediate payment or personal information.
Amazon Impersonation Scam
Scammers pose as Amazon customer service claiming there's a problem with your account, order, or Prime membership.
Bank Impersonation Scam
Scammers pose as your bank's fraud department claiming suspicious activity on your account, then trick you into moving money to "protect" it.
Utility Company Scam
Scammers pose as electric, gas, or water companies threatening to shut off your service unless you pay immediately.
Grandparent Scam
Scammers call pretending to be a grandchild in trouble — car accident, jail, hospital — urgently needing money and secrecy.
AI Voice Cloning Scam
Scammers use AI to clone the voice of a family member, then call claiming to be in an emergency and needing money immediately.
Deepfake Video Scam
AI-generated videos impersonating celebrities, executives, or trusted figures to promote fake investments, crypto scams, or giveaways.
AI-Enhanced Phishing
Highly personalized phishing emails written by AI that are more convincing and harder to detect than traditional phishing attempts.
Toll Road Text Scam
Fake text messages claiming you have an unpaid toll and must pay immediately to avoid late fees or license suspension.
Package Delivery Scam
Fake texts claiming USPS, FedEx, or UPS couldn't deliver your package and asking you to click a link to reschedule or pay a fee.
Bank Alert Text Scam
Fake fraud alert texts pretending to be from your bank, asking you to confirm transactions or click links to "secure" your account.
Wrong Number Text Scam
A "friendly" wrong number text that leads to ongoing conversation, building rapport before eventually requesting money or pushing investment scams.
Romance Scam
Scammers create fake profiles on dating apps or social media, build romantic relationships, then ask for money for emergencies or investments.
Military Romance Scam
Scammers pose as deployed military service members, using stolen photos and stories to build romantic relationships and request money.
Sextortion Scam
Scammers threaten to release intimate images or videos unless you pay them, whether or not they actually have any such material.
Cryptocurrency Investment Scam
Fake crypto trading platforms, signal groups, and investment opportunities that steal your cryptocurrency deposits.
Crypto Giveaway Scam
Fake cryptocurrency giveaways promising to double your crypto if you send some first — often using fake celebrity accounts or deepfake videos.
Rug Pull Scam
Developers create a new cryptocurrency or NFT project, hype it up, attract investment, then abandon the project and disappear with investor funds.
Job Scam
Fake job listings that steal personal information, charge upfront fees, or trick you into money laundering or check fraud schemes.
Task Scam
Fake work-from-home jobs where you complete tasks for "commissions" but must pay deposits that you never get back.
Fake Online Store
Fraudulent e-commerce websites that take your payment but never deliver products, or send counterfeit/inferior goods.
Marketplace Scam
Scams on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and similar platforms — fake listings, payment fraud, and counterfeit goods.
Lottery / Sweepstakes Scam
Fake notifications claiming you've won a lottery, sweepstakes, or prize — but must pay fees or taxes before receiving your "winnings."
Inheritance / Nigerian Prince Scam
Emails claiming you've inherited money from an unknown relative or foreign dignitary, requiring fees to release the funds.
AI Girlfriend/Boyfriend Scam
Fake romantic partners powered by AI chatbots that build emotional relationships, then manipulate victims into sending money, gifts, or cryptocurrency.
Deepfake CEO Fraud
Criminals use AI-generated video or audio of company executives to authorize fraudulent wire transfers, often targeting finance employees in real-time video calls.
Virtual Kidnapping Scam
Scammers use AI voice cloning to fake a kidnapping, calling parents with their child's cloned voice crying for help and demanding immediate ransom.
Fake AI Tool Malware
Malicious software disguised as popular AI tools like ChatGPT, Midjourney, or DALL-E that steals data, credentials, or installs ransomware.
AI Trading Bot Scam
Fake "AI-powered" trading bots that promise guaranteed returns using artificial intelligence but are actually Ponzi schemes or outright theft.
QR Code Scam (Quishing)
Malicious QR codes placed on parking meters, restaurant menus, flyers, and fake packages that lead to phishing sites or malware downloads.
SIM Swap Attack
Criminals convince your phone carrier to transfer your number to their SIM card, then intercept 2FA codes to drain bank accounts and crypto wallets.
Synthetic Identity Fraud
Criminals combine real and fake information to create new synthetic identities used to open accounts, build credit, and commit large-scale financial fraud.
Password Extortion Scam
Emails claiming "I have your password" and threatening to release embarrassing webcam footage unless you pay Bitcoin — usually a bluff using passwords from old data breaches.
Fake Data Breach Notification
Phishing emails disguised as legitimate data breach notifications that trick you into entering credentials on fake "identity protection" or "password reset" sites.
Typosquatting Scam
Fake websites with URLs similar to legitimate sites (like "arnaz0n.com" or "paypa1.com") designed to steal credentials, distribute malware, or harvest payment info.
Brushing Scam
Receiving unsolicited packages you didn't order — sellers use your address to create fake "verified purchases" for fake reviews, but indicates your data has been compromised.
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