Avoid romance, investment and job scams

How these scams work

Unlike a quick phishing message, these scams invest time. Someone builds a relationship, a friendship, a romance, a mentor or an employer, and only later introduces money. The feelings and the opportunity are real to you; the person or scheme is not. The warning sign is not how you feel, but the request that eventually follows.

Romance and friendship scams

A new online partner who you have never met in person, moves the conversation off the dating app quickly, and later needs money for an emergency, travel, customs or a sure investment, is following a script. Never send money, crypto or codes to someone you have not met, and never forward money on someone else's behalf. A genuine partner will not pressure you or ask you to keep the relationship secret.

Investment, crypto and forex scams

Be wary of guaranteed or unusually high returns, pressure to act fast, and a "broker" who contacts you first.
A platform that shows growing profits but blocks or taxes your withdrawals is a trap.
Check whether an investment firm is licensed by the Capital Markets Authority before sending anything.
Be sceptical of schemes promoted by a celebrity clip or a friend's hacked account; both are easily faked.

Job and task scams

A legitimate employer does not ask you to pay for a job, a uniform, training or a "registration" to be hired, and does not pay you to like videos or complete tasks that then require a deposit to "unlock" earnings. Verify the company independently, and never hand over bank or mobile-money access as a condition of employment.

If you have already sent money

Stop all further payments and contact your bank or mobile-money provider immediately to ask about reversal and securing the account.
Keep the profiles, messages, transaction IDs and amounts, and report the scam through verified channels.
Do not pay anyone who contacts you promising to recover your lost funds; this is a follow-on scam.