On a quiet evening in Ontario, John M., a 30-year-old construction worker, accepted what appeared to be a harmless Facebook friend request. Within minutes, he received a message from the new contact claiming he had just received $50,000 from Facebook as part of a compensation program.

For many aspiring models, influencers, and creatives, social media represents hope for a path to opportunity, fame, and career success. Dreams of walking the runway, starring in campaigns, or building a professional portfolio can feel within reach. Scammers know this.

Fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes are no longer limited to obscure websites or isolated email campaigns.

People around the globe are receiving calls from scammers claiming to work for major mobile carriers. The fraudsters often advertise “exclusive promotions” on the latest iPhones or premium models.

Here is how it typically works:

🐖 The “Pig Butchering Scam” has become one of the fastest-growing and most destructive fraud schemes worldwide. Its chilling name comes from the way criminals “fatten up” their victims with affection, trust, and false promises before financially “slaughtering” them.

💉 The “tattoo volunteer” deposit scam is not new. Scammers have been recycling identical posts across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and other platforms, pretending to be tattoo artists offering free or discounted tattoos and cover-ups.

Scammers are exploiting desperate renters, especially in hot housing markets. They create fake listings, collect deposits, then vanish leaving victims out of thousands of dollars. 

🌍 Real-World Rental Deposit Scam Cases

🇬🇧 United Kingdom (London)

What Is Pretexting?

Pretexting is a social engineering scam where criminals invent a false story or identity (a “pretext”) to trick victims into handing over sensitive information, money, or access. Unlike phishing emails that rely on mass distribution, pretexting is often targeted and tailored, exploiting trust, authority, or fear.

🚚 What Are Mover Scams?

Relocating should be a fresh start, not a financial trap. Unfortunately, mover scams have become a global problem, with fraudulent companies preying on families, students, and businesses.