Field guide · four patterns

Common fraud types

Nearly every fraud story follows one of a handful of scripts. The scripts below cover the large majority of the reports we receive. For each one: how it works, the red flags, a typical case, and the first thing to do.

Romance fraud

The relationship that needs money

How it works

Contact starts on a dating app or social media. Weeks of warm, daily messages build an emotional bond before money is ever mentioned.
Then comes a crisis: a hospital bill, a blocked account, a customs fee, a business deal that needs paying.
A very common variant: the "partner" also teaches you to invest on a platform they control.

Red flags

Never meets in person Asks for gift cards or crypto Sudden emergency

Typical caseA widower, 68, corresponded for four months with a "nurse working abroad". Requests began at €300 for a phone, grew to €4,500 for hospital bills, and ended with €18,000 to "release an inheritance" that never existed.

Do this first

Stop sending money — every payment has been part of the script.
Keep the chat and the payment receipts; note the account names used.
Report it. You are not the first, and the earlier it is reported the fewer people the same account can reach.

Impersonation

Police, bank or tax office on the line

How it works

The call looks genuine: the caller ID can show your bank's real fraud line or a police number.
A calm "officer" or "security analyst" explains that your account is compromised and that the money must be moved to a safe account today.
Some variants insist on secrecy, or ask you to install remote software so they can "secure" the device.

Red flags

Urgency, today only "Don't tell anyone" Safe account

Typical caseA man of 74 took a call that displayed his bank's fraud number. A "security officer" told him an employee was stealing from his account and that €31,000 had to be transferred to a holding account within the hour. He did — and the number was spoofed.

Do this first

Hang up. Wait a minute, then call your bank on the number printed on your card.
Never transfer money because a caller asks you to. No real bank or police service does this.
Report the number and the account you were asked to pay.

Job & task fraud

"Get paid for liking, reviewing, booking"

How it works

A friendly recruiter on WhatsApp or Telegram offers easy paid tasks: likes, reviews, app testing, hotel bookings.
The first small commissions are paid, on purpose — they turn a stranger into a trusted employer.
To unlock better-paid tasks you must first "top up" your balance. The balance then exists only on their dashboard, and withdrawals need one more deposit.

Red flags

You pay to work Recruiter only on chat apps VIP task levels

Typical caseA student earned €30 for the first nine reviews, then was invited to a "VIP level" requiring a €600 deposit. Her dashboard showed €2,400 in profit. Withdrawal required a €900 "verification deposit" — and then a €1,500 "tax" payment.

Do this first

Stop paying. The early payouts exist to make the trap believable.
Keep the chat, the group link, the wallet or IBAN you paid into.
Report it and warn your group: the same people usually keep recruiting from the same account.

Tech support

The "engineer" who fixes your computer

How it works

A full-screen warning appears, or someone calls about "unusual activity" on your device.
A "technician" guides you into installing remote-control software and shows you a scan full of invented threats.
Either a large repair fee is charged, or the remote access is used while you log into your bank "to complete the security check".

Red flags

Pop-up with a phone number Remote software Payment by gift card

Typical caseA pop-up claiming a virus was found came with a support number. The "engineer" installed remote software, then asked the customer to log into her bank "so the security scan can finish". €7,400 left the account during the session.

Do this first

Hold the power button and shut the computer down; do not call the number on the screen.
Remove the remote software with help, then change your bank and email passwords from a different device.
Call your bank and report it.

Back to the report form

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