Spot a scam before it costs you

0 of 5 lessons answered correctly

1. Lesson 1

   A request for money

   The most common scam. It always starts with a story.

   After three weeks of friendly messages, a match tells you their mother is in hospital abroad and their cards are blocked. They ask you to send ₹50,000 or $800 and promise to repay it when they visit.

   What would you do?

   Send a small amount to show I care. I can afford to lose it.

   Say no, stop sending money of any kind, and report the profile.

   Ask for a bill first, and then decide.

2. Lesson 2

   The investment tip

   Romance first, then a “can’t-miss” opportunity.

   A match who lives overseas says they made a lot of money with a trading app and offers to show you how. They send a link and say you can start with a small deposit and withdraw anytime.

   What would you do?

   Try it with a small deposit. If I can withdraw, it is real.

   Do not open the link. Tell them you are not interested in investing, and report them.

   Ask them to invest for me, so I take no risk.

3. Lesson 3

   Pressure to hurry

   Scammers want you to act before you think.

   A match wants to move to a private chat app on day two, asks for your phone number, and says, “If you really care, you will not make me wait.”

   What would you do?

   Share my number. I do not want to lose them.

   Say I would like to get to know them here first, and take my time.

   Ignore the message and hope they stop.

4. Lesson 4

   Someone who is not who they say

   Photos and stories can be stolen.

   A profile has striking photos and says they are a doctor posted overseas. They never agree to a video call. Each time there is a reason: the network is bad, the hospital is strict, tomorrow for sure.

   What would you do?

   Keep waiting. They are busy, and good things take time.

   Tell them a short video call is needed before I go further. If they keep avoiding it, report.

   Ask for a copy of their passport to prove it.

5. Lesson 5

   Codes, bank details and documents

   Some requests are never normal.

   A match says they are sending you a gift parcel and that customs needs a fee. Then someone from “the courier” messages you asking for your bank login and a one-time code to “release” it.

   What would you do?

   Pay the customs fee, because the parcel might be valuable.

   Never share a one-time code or bank login. Stop replying and report the profile.

   Share only the code, not the password.