There's a reason our parents warned us about talking to strangers—it was to keep us safe. Unfortunately, as we’ve grown older, we have often forgotten these warnings and tend to take our lives into our own hands when dealing with strangers. As it turns out, there's an entire industry dedicated to swindling unsuspecting and innocent people out of their hard-earned money.
We’ve found 40 examples of stranger danger turning into something much worse. These schemes would have fooled even the most intelligent of people! Think you know better? Do you want to stay on the edge when it comes to protecting yourself from bad actors?
Prepare to learn from the mistakes of others—take care of yourself and trust no one.
Scams in Dating Apps and Sites
There's no denying that dating can be challenging. Even for good-looking people, it’s incredibly tough to find a partner who ticks all the boxes—and someone who reciprocates your love. Luckily, there's an industry that focuses on helping people find each other online.
But here's where it gets dirty. Dating apps and websites are open to everyone, including scammers who purposely set out to trick their victims. First, they set up fake dating profiles and make you fall for them with false photos and information. Then, once they know that you're hooked, they will ask for money and use nasty manipulation strategies so that you can’t back away.
Unreliable WiFi Hotspot
People have become so dependent on the internet nowadays that it has become necessary to be connected at all times. So, of course, you've probably used a random WiFi hotspot to get online. However, you may have been scammed by someone when using public WiFi without even realizing it.
While the internet is ubiquitous these days, you should be aware that some scammers might have set up a fake WiFi hotspot in a public place to steal your data, money, and passwords. Getting a VPN is a good idea if you're concerned about your security when using public WiFi.
Fake Monk Mafia
Scammers are some of the worst folks out there. They trick you out of your money using evil manipulation schemes. For example, in Boston, a crew of scammers dressed up as monks to con people out of their money. They would start a friendly conversation and then ask for a donation.
Monks are considered sincere and trustworthy. They’re supposed to share their wisdom and never demand anything in return. However, dressing up like them to deceive others is a desperate move showing the lengths to which scammers go to make money. Even worse, Boston city officials had to post public notices to alert citizens of the scam. Sad to think that these heartless people have tarnished the reputation of monks.
The Shoe Shiner in Istanbul
Visitors in Istanbul should avoid shoe shiners—they could be con artists, targeting unsuspecting tourists. However, a traveler revealed his first-hand knowledge of this scam. And we are here to share it with you. According to him, the scam starts when a shoe shiner "accidentally" drops something.
Naturally, your first reaction would be to inform them; then, they will thank you for your kind gesture and clean your shoes—don’t let them. If they do, they will demand payment. Istanbul is a fantastic city, so don't worry if you wish to go there. Just be wary of the “flash drop” shoe shiners.
Be Careful Selling Online
Online commerce is booming right now. It’s successful because it is very convenient—but doing your shopping this way also opens you up to meeting a scammer. One of the most used “buy and sell” platforms is Craigslist, and sure enough, many scammers use it to lure unsuspecting victims into a trap.
This guy was selling his car on Craigslist, and someone asked him about the vehicle. Of course, he was happy to oblige. But the scammer inquired about the vehicle's “cleaning history” and even sent a URL he could use to obtain a report for $30. The car owner was about to give in and pay the $30 when he thought, "What if this is a scam?" Thankfully, he was right—his quick thinking saved him.
Fast Hands
Because some scammers are so skilled at what they do, we wonder if there is a school where people study how to con others. It's just too bad that they are using their talents for evil. This person was scammed when working at a convenience store that also processed money orders.
The scammer walked in for a money order worth $1,000. The cashier counted the money and discovered it was $20 short, so he informed the customer. The customer then took the cash, counted it himself, added $20 to it, and gave it back. Carelessly, the cashier didn’t make a recount. He was surprised when his supervisors told him they were $500 short the following day.
The $1 Reward
Ever received an email saying you'll win a sum of money if you click this or call this number to win money? If so, then you probably got scammed. Unfortunately, this is a familiar scam—some still cling to this type of deceit to make a dishonest living.
They would send you letters saying you were part of a contest, and for you to win, you must call a particular number for only $2 a minute. It was pretty nasty that they kept the cheated “contestants” in the line for 10 minutes; that’s a $20 fraud!
The Gift Card Scam
Scammers will often find new ways to make money and scam people. This is the first time we've heard about this one, but apparently, people can even get scammed with gift cards. Who would expect that they'll be scammed with a gift card?
So here's a thing, always double-check if you receive suspicious behavior from online sellers. Make sure you're always one step ahead of the other party. A little caution won’t hurt, especially if it protects your hard-earned money. Always be vigilant, especially since scammers are getting more creative by the day.
Hey, It’s Me! A Rock!
We are confident that we would not fall for this type of scam. Getting a message from a famous person—who also happens to be very busy—simply wouldn't happen. At least, this is what we think. Maybe we would get too starstruck and believe these millionaires just need our money.
And while we are amazed by how skilled con artists can be at defrauding others, we are disappointed by this con artist's grammar. His scamming tactics are also a bit lame compared to the others on this list. Using a well-known celebrity to scam—we couldn’t be less impressed.
Used as A Trust Fund
Even if someone claims to be from your bank, don't just give them your account information. If you do, you'll find that one day, all of your money has vanished. Here's the thing: Going directly to the bank is the safest way to handle any banking activities.
This lady was tricked out of $150,000. And before you pass judgment on her, she wasn't that naive. Before she completed the bank transaction, she called the bank to ensure the person phoning was a bank employee, which he was. Sadly, this employee also conned a few other customers before escaping to another country.
Wrong Victim
Let's face it. Some scams are very convincing because they are well-planned, but not this one. In this case, the con artist was exposed right away. We think the con artist failed to assess his victim, which is pretty stupid for someone running this kind of scam.
This would-be scam victim was, fortunately, able to identify the caller as a phony. When they received a call from an unidentified number saying they would refund $350 to their credit card, they couldn't stop giggling. Why? They didn't even have a credit card!
Bad Romance
When we fall in love, we often lay a foundation of trust in that relationship, which can extend to bank information details. A bad breakup leads even sane people to do crazy things. And this person can vouch for that, but fortunately for him, luck was on his side.
After a bad breakup, this man's ex-girlfriend went to the bank to lock his account. Luckily, he made it in time to stop her. When the police showed up, she negotiated her way out of it. As long as the money was secure, it was okay.
The Fake Kidnapping Scam
Honestly, this is one of those scams that we wish didn't exist. We can't even start to imagine the agony a person must feel when someone calls to inform you that someone you care about has been kidnapped and that they will be killed if you don't pay. Unfortunately, someone had this experience, but thankfully they recognized the hoax immediately.
Someone called and claimed that the scammer had abducted two of his family members. He realized it was extortion, so he tried to fool the con man with some random names. When the con man fell for it, he said, "Kill them." Imagine the scammer's expression when he heard that!
Random Reward
What would you do if you received a random call informing you that you have won a hefty amount of cash? You'll be shocked, right? But this person was smart enough to know how to counter this kind of scam in a simple way.
The scammer informed their target that she had won $50,000 but had to send $1,000 to get it. She then instructed the con artist to send her the balance after deducting $1,000 from the $50,000. After hearing that, the con artist immediately hung up. Something tells us that her response was not part of the master plan.
Big-Brain Nuggets
The first thing to come to mind when you hear the words "I found a gold mine" might be “sign me up.” Well, this man seemed to try his hand at fishing for gold enthusiasts—it’s a long-standing American tradition, after all.
This man convinced people that he had discovered a gold mine in Borneo. But in reality, he just scraped bits from his wedding ring and scattered the contents around a sample of soil. As a result, his company's value grew so high he even floated it on the stock market!
The Hotel Room Scam
We are now convinced that scammers are everywhere—even in the walls! Well, maybe not in the walls. But even a peaceful stay in a hotel room isn’t safe from the schemes of scammers. This guy went on vacation to relax, but on his trip, he found himself at the receiving end of a nasty scheme.
This person was relaxing in his hotel room when he received a call from "reception" asking for confirmation of his card information. Sadly, he believed them and went on to relay his information, only to discover that he had become a victim of Ukrainian scammers.
The Greatest Airport Scam
Admit it—going to the airport isn’t fun. You go there only to take a plane and leave. But, the man who committed this scam loves going to the airport, not because he loves traveling or is an employee, but because he benefited so much from going there.
He purchased a first-class ticket on a carrier that allowed him access to a lounge where he could get complimentary food, and he went there every day for lunch. Then, because he had first-class privileges, he would simply inform the staff that he couldn't catch his flight, and they would refund it without charge. We’re kind of impressed.
Once Is Enough—Twice Is Too Much
Getting scammed once is enough to make anyone cynical about people. However, this person is different. Their faith in people is so strong they were fooled twice by the same con! What happened? Well, a kid started talking about his life and why he was selling a magazine subscription.
Of course, the story was touching; after hearing it, she placed an order. Unfortunately, she never got her magazine, nor did she hear from the kid again. Years later, a different child with the same story visited their house. And guess what? They fell for it once more, with the same results.
Answering Surveys For Free Gifts
Another tip that might save you from getting scammed is this: never share your credit and debit card information with anyone. Make it a habit never to let anyone know your bank information. For example, this man received a call saying he would receive free gifts if he answered a survey.
Since he was young, he accepted it, not knowing it was a scam. Once he finished, the scammer asked him for other stuff like his debit card information, and sadly he shared it. He didn't know he was being conned until they asked for his social security number, at which point he hung up. The bad news is that they had already charged him $80 and put him into overdraft.
Fake Audition
Scammers do not care if you are rich or not. They will scam you if you give them half a chance. This person almost got scammed by a fake audition. These con artists were very well organized and created fake auditions for a well-known TV show.
Luckily, she made the right decision in researching the studio holding the audition and learned that they scammed many people. They would demand weekly payments from amateur actors to use the studio until they informed them that the director wouldn't be there. And because a contract bound them, they could not get their money back.
Album For $10
When you visit the Times Square area, we advise you to be cautious about someone asking you to buy an album for $10—it is a scam. Of course, some of you might say, “Oh! An album for $10! But if you’re willing to take a chance on it, you’d better have sharp eyes and even faster feet.
When this man visited New York, he was approached by a man that offered to sell him his original CD for $10. The scammer was lucky because the tourist was a "music nerd" who turned to speak to his friend. After handing over the money, the man vanished without giving him a CD.
The IRS Scam
Most of us become anxious when a government official calls us, right? Even if we didn't break the law, we feel like we did when we receive calls from an agency. Sadly, scammers know this and will use it to mess with their victims. Here’s such a story of this.
This student got a call claiming he owed the IRS hundreds of dollars and would be arrested if he didn't deliver the money. Who wouldn't feel anxious about that? He almost got fooled by the scammer, but he noticed it was a fraud. Thankfully, his quick thinking helped him escape the cheat.
Fake Products
There are many fake goods available all around the world. So, if you're a traveler and want to go on a shopping spree abroad, always go to the official store of the product you want to buy—especially if you're purchasing a product from a well-known brand. If you're not careful, you can get swindled.
This guy thought he bought a brand new “Coach” purse and “Timex” watch in Seoul. But they turned out to be fake. After careful inspection, he realized that the watch’s brand was actually "TimeMex" and the purse was a "Goach." He got an unlikely souvenir—something to remind him to be less trusting of random street vendors.
Beware When Shopping at Aldi
When you shop in Aldi, you will see that, to use the carts, you need to insert 25 cents into the slot. Once you return the cart, you will get back. Seems fair and straightforward enough, right? You just need 25 cents—that's it.
However, this person had a bad experience in the store. She was approached by a woman offering her a cart for a quarter. It seemed like a fair deal, but when she tried to get her money back from the cart, there wasn’t any there. Yes, 25 cents may not seem like much, but a scam is still a scam.
No More Ticket
Trust us when we say that using Craiglist requires caution. There are a lot of scammers on that site—and some of them have had years to hone their craft. It may be difficult to spot, but you need to know that many con men on the platform are trying to take advantage of others.
This person was looking for a Shawn Mendez ticket online and stumbled upon someone selling it on Craigslist. He paid for it immediately, but the seller claimed that the transaction did not go through and asked that they send the payment again to a different account. When he saw that he had been scammed, he reported it to the police. But it was too late; he had already lost $340.
Christiano, Who?
Using famous personalities to scam other people is rampant nowadays. It's just like what happened to this person. This scammer used Christiano Ronaldo, a famous soccer player, to scam their victim, asking to borrow his debit card to buy a pair of shoes. Does someone as rich as Christiano Ronaldo really need to borrow a random person's debit card?
In some cases, scammers will use people that you may know (or know of) to target your emotions. It's okay to double-check the identity of a person asking for your money. Refrain from assuming they are legit—never give them your money without confirming who they are.
Gasoline Station Scam
When we say some scammers try to weaponize kindness, it's true. Take this scam, for example. This man was at a gas station filling his tank when a young man walked up to him, asking him for a few bucks because he didn't have gas money. He told a story about being jobless for months and was on his way to a job interview.
This man had the best of intentions of assisting a person in need, but it turned out to be a scam. For the following three months, the same man was seen doing and telling the same tale to other people while dressed in the same suit and tie. It’s sad that someone would resort to pretending to be going through some of the worst experiences a human being can experience just to scratch up a little cash.
The "Armani" Jacket
If you think an offer sounds too good to be true, STAY AWAY! Most of the time, people sell goods that aren’t what the seller claims to be—they’re scams, pure and simple. It won't hurt to double-check what you're paying for to limit the chances of getting tricked.
Unfortunately, this guy paid $300 to a stranger for two "Armani" jackets. Unfortunately, he didn't notice that the label read "Armitage" rather than "Armani" until he arrived home. Scammers will use a brand name to rip people off, and they love to target gullible people.
Another Credit Card Scam
By now, we already know the most used and abused scam technique. Most scammers target people's debit and credit cards. That's not strange since money is inside, which is the most important thing to a scammer.
This credit card scammer used a link to an IQ test as bait. Answering the quiz was free, but you had to input your credit card to get the results. Unfortunately, it happened to an 11-year-old girl, and we can imagine she learned her lesson after she told her parents.
eBay Scam Tactic
Even if eBay is considered one of the largest buying and selling platforms, it isn’t necessarily 100% safe. Scammers infest the platform, so you must be careful with every transaction you make there—even when the seller has good ratings.
This customer didn't hesitate before purchasing a PS4 from a seller with a 99% rating. However, they decided to investigate the seller's account when the delivery date passed with nothing to show for it. They soon realized they had been scammed. Thankfully, the buyer got back their money.
Keep Your Wallet Close
Scammers will not only hide in front of their computers—some actually have the guts to scam other people face-to-face. Their favorite target? Tourists! When this person was 19 years old, she traveled to Paris and became a victim of three separate scam attempts using the same premise.
These scammers distract you by dropping something valuable in front of you; if they are successful, they will then try to steal your wallet. Thankfully, even though it happened to her three times, the scammers were unsuccessful. She seems to be a hard nut to crack.
Fake Tech Support Scam
Another popular scam is the fake tech support gig. Most people, especially the elderly, seem to fall for this. It all begins with an unexpected phone call from a person acting as Microsoft or Windows tech assistant, and it only goes downhill from there.
They will inform you that your computer has a virus and that they will help you remove it. Next, they will ask you to download a specific program. Once you've finished, a fake screen will appear and claim that the viruses have been removed. The truth is that the con artists are stealing your data from the computer, including your usernames and passwords.
The Multi-Level-Marketing Scheme
If you think this scam is not around anymore—think again. It is one of the most used scam techniques out there. There are many multi-level marketing companies, and you must be sharp enough to catch them in the act. Unfortunately, we believe this will continue as long as there are naive people in the world.
This man was searching for a job and got a call from an unknown number. The caller offered him work. Of course, for someone who is looking for a job, this was the sweetest sound he could have heard. He went to the interview location but discovered it was an MLM operation. Stay away at all costs!
Social Media Scam
Have you ever received a message saying you need to click the link or something similar? If yes, then probably that was a trick to get you scammed. For example, there is a social media scam that is very popular wherein scammers will try to snatch all of your data.
If you click on their link, they will have access to your information. And they will use it for their gain and your loss. In most cases, scammers will message the accounts on your Friends list asking for money because you're sick or your mother is ill. Or even blackmail other people.
The Fake Aptitude Test
We are concerned that some people use their design skills for selfish ends. For example, this person saw an advertisement for a test to become an air traffic controller while looking for a job on Craigslist. He spent $200 on the aptitude test.
Let's say there were 100 “candidates” that day, and they had to pay $200 each. That’s a lot of money. Many people will fall for this type of scam, especially those desperate to find a job. We hope everybody will be cautious about this and always double-check before paying this amount of money.
Scammer Getting Owned
We know that only some scammers are intelligent, while most are too lazy to think about a good plan, so they resort to the stupidest tactics. This would-be scam victim chose to play along when he received a strange message from "his diplomatic agent," who was meant to deliver his cash consignment box from the UK.
The scammer was so dim-witted that when asked where they should meet, the best response he could give was to ask for the victim’s name. As a diplomatic agent, it’s your job to know your client’s information. The person then used the opportunity presented by the scammer's lame justification to end the conversation.
The Well-Thought Scam
Good scammers are masters of deceit and manipulation and are not telling the truth when they say they're just trying to help you. You might think that scammers only exist in movies like "The Call," but sadly, these criminals are extremely common!
This man’s sister was taking care of the house while he was on vacation. She got a call from someone informing her that her brother would be detained the following day for an undisclosed offense unless she paid $900 to have the charges dropped. Because he was on vacation, he wouldn't pick up when she tried to call him. Sadly, she paid the $900 and got tricked by the scammer.
Paying For A Free Parking Spot
As we mentioned, a scammer’s favored victim is the tourists. Locals scammed this person and his father in Austin, asking for $7 for a parking spot. The tourist didn't mind, though, because they had no way of knowing that it was out of the ordinary.
When they returned to the parking area, they were surprised that the man wasn't there anymore. His chair had been blocking the "Free Parking" sign. If you think about it, $7 isn't that much, but it must add up to a hefty sum if he scammed many people.
Targeting The Elderly:
We hate that scammers tend to scam older people. We get it. They can be easy targets, especially with technology evolving so quickly—but it’s so evil. They are old enough and incapable of working, and you plan to demand money from them?
For this elderly lady who got a call from an unknown person who just said "Grandma" to her, she naturally assumed they were family. The con artist demanded $10,000 urgently, or awful things would happen. She dialed her bank in a panic and, fortunately, the teller asked her why she was withdrawing such a significant sum of money and called the police before anything worse happened.
The Not-So Scam
The first scam we ever encountered wasn’t the one that stripped us out of our savings; it was before we even acknowledged the existence of money. When your mom says she won't be mad if you tell the truth—most of the time—she will get mad. It is unlike other scams, but we could probably categorize it as one.
They would constantly assure us that if we told them the truth, they wouldn't be angry. But since we were young, we would believe her and confess. But she automatically got mad and scolded us when we admitted the truth. Mom, what happened to the "I will not be mad" part? It is even more ironic because the more you reveal, the worse your mom will get mad at you.