Spot the scam
Real message formats. Decide what is wrong with each one.
12 rounds · nothing is saved or sent anywhere
Spot the scam · WhatsApp
The ₹4,999 score-repair offer
Sir, I am Senior CIBIL Officer. Your score 568 is BLOCKED in the system. We can upgrade it to 790+ within 7 days, 100% guaranteed. Registration fee ₹4,999 to this UPI ID immediately. Offer closes today.
From Credit scores, decoded · Score myths, and the score-fixing scam
Spot the scam · Direct message
The mentor with the rented Lamborghini
Bro saw you liked my reel 🔥 I was broke like you 2 years back, now I trade 2 hrs a day from Dubai. My students made 4–8 lakh last month, screenshots on my story. Next batch closes tonight, only 3 seats left. ₹14,999 but for you ₹7,999 if you pay within the hour. Don't miss out on the life you deserve 💸
Spot the scam · WhatsApp
The landlord you can never meet
Hello dear, flat is available. I am army officer, currently posted in Leh, cannot come for showing. Flat keys are with security guard. Transfer Rs 20,000 booking deposit today itself, 6 families are in line for this flat. I refund fully if you don't like it. God bless.
From Renting in India, decoded · Deposits, verification, and moving in
Spot the scam · UPI request
The refund that is really a payment
Collect request · ₹24,500 "sir refund process ho gaya, bas apna pin daal dijiye 🙏"
From UPI and payment fraud · The one rule that defeats most of them
Spot the scam · WhatsApp
The pre-launch 'offer'
Sir, PRE-LAUNCH offer for select customers only. Book with ₹5 lakh token before RERA registration and get 20% below market rate. We also have assured returns scheme — 12% guaranteed returns till possession. Only 3 units left, price increases Monday.
From Buying a home without getting played · Builder red flags, and rent vs buy honestly
Spot the scam · SMS
Your points expire TODAY
MyBank Alert: Your 9,750 reward points worth Rs.2,437 expire TODAY. Redeem immediately at mybank-rewards.win or lose them permanently. Enter card number, CVV and OTP to claim.
From Credit cards without the trap doors · EMIs, rewards, and when a card is worth it
Spot the scam · WhatsApp
The onboarding message that is not from HR
Welcome to the team! This is Priya from HR, completing your PF activation. Please send the OTP just received on your phone and your UAN password so payroll can be processed today itself. This is urgent — salary processing closes at 5 pm.
From Your offer letter, decoded · Before you sign, and your first weeks
Spot the scam · Phone call
The 'helpful' agent
"Sir, smoking waala column blank chhod dijiye — premium 40% kam ho jayega. Medical test bhi skip karwa denge. Claim ke time koi nahi poochta, main hoon na."
From Term insurance: the cheapest big promise · Disclosure, Section 45, and the MWP shield
Spot the scam · WhatsApp
The triple-benefit pitch
Sir last week of March! 🎯 Tax bachao + insurance + investment — TRIPLE benefit ek hi plan me. Guaranteed return, market se zyada, FD se double. Sirf 2 din bache hain. Form main bhar dunga, aap bas sign kariye 🙏
From Insurance is not an investment · The pitch, and where to complain
Spot the scam · SMS
The refund that needs your 'verification'
Dear Taxpayer, your Income Tax refund of Rs. 16,490 has been approved. Your account details could not be verified. Update immediately at http://itr-refund-verify.in to receive credit within 24 hours.
From TDS, Form 16 and AIS: where your tax went · 26AS, AIS, and the mismatch drill
Spot the scam · WhatsApp
The message that finds everyone eventually
🚀 GOLDEN BULL TRADING CLUB 🚀 Our expert team delivers 24% GUARANTEED monthly returns via Nifty options. Principal 100% SAFE — zero risk strategy. Last month's profit screenshots attached 📈. Only 12 slots left, batch closes tonight. Send ₹4,999 registration to secure your spot!
From Risk, diversification and real returns · Real returns, and the most dangerous word
Spot the scam · Direct message
The 'free 18%' shortcut
bro just add 18% GST on your invoices even without registering 😅 clients never check, its free money. i've been doing it a year, one client even claims it back so everyone wins
From GST for freelancers · Rates, invoices and input tax credit