MEPX
Chapter 7 of 10All chapters
  1. 1The anatomy of a scam
  2. 2How pressure is manufactured
  3. 3Impersonation scams
  4. 4Buying and selling
  5. 5Romance and friendship scams
  6. 6Investment and money scams
  7. 7Texts, emails and calls
  8. 8What AI changed
  9. 9Protecting other people
  10. 10If it happens

Chapter 7 of 10

Texts, emails and calls

The small ask.

Small fee, big prize

Undelivered parcels, unpaid road tolls, tax refunds. The amount is deliberately trivial so you enter card details without thinking.

  • Never follow a link in an unexpected message about money.
  • Go to the organisation directly and check your account there.

The wrong number opening

A friendly message apparently sent to you by mistake, then conversation, then an investment. It is the first move of a long scam, not a coincidence.