Online scams are more sophisticated than ever, targeting people through emails, fake websites, online marketplaces, social platforms, and even dating apps. At SEAGM, we believe that awareness is your best defence. Here’s a breakdown of common scam tactics, real-life examples, and simple tips to help you stay safe.
🚨Common Scam Tactics
1. Phishing Emails or Texts
Scammers send urgent messages pretending to be from trusted companies, tricking you into clicking malicious links or sharing personal information.
🔍Example:
Subject: Urgent: Your account has been locked!
Dear User,
Due to suspicious activity, your account has been temporarily locked. To restore access, please verify your identity immediately by clicking the link below:
[Fake Link]
💡Tip: Remember, legitimate companies won’t ask for sensitive info through unsolicited emails or texts; always verify through official channels. Never click links or download attachments from unknown or suspicious messages.
2. Fake Website
Scammers create websites that look almost identical to real ones, from banks to popular online stores. The URL might be off by just one character or symbol, making it easy to miss. These fake sites are designed to steal your login credentials or payment details.
🔍 Example:
✅ Official link: https://www.seagm.com
❌ Fake link: https://www.seagm-com
💡Tip: Always double-check the website address and look for the secure padlock🔒icon in the browser bar before entering any sensitive information.
3. Online Shopping Scams
These scams often appear on social media or online marketplaces, where fraudsters offer high-demand items, such as concert tickets, electronics, or rare collectibles, at suspiciously low prices. They may create a sense of urgency, claiming they need to sell quickly due to an emergency and push for payment through untraceable methods. Once you pay, the item never arrives.
🔍 Example:
You come across a Facebook post offering ABC concert tickets at half the original price. The seller claims they had a last-minute emergency and can’t attend the show. To make the deal quick, they ask for $200 via a cryptocurrency gift card. Wanting to act fast, you buy the gift card from SEAGM and send them the PIN.
After that? Silence. The seller stops replying, deletes their account, and the tickets never arrive. With no way to trace the gift card or get a refund, your money is gone.
💡Tip: Stick to reputable sellers or official platforms, especially for high-value or time-sensitive purchases. Avoid paying through untraceable methods like wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency.
4. Imposter Scams
Fraudsters pretend to be official authority figures, like police officers, bank staff, or company representatives and pressure you to hand over money or personal information. They often use fake badges, caller IDs, or emails.
🔍 Example:
Situation 1:
You receive a call from someone claiming to be from your bank’s fraud department. They say your account has been compromised and urge you to urgently transfer funds to a “safe” account. They may even know some of your details. In reality, it’s a scammer, and once you transfer the money, it’s gone.
Situation 2:
You receive a call from someone claiming to be a local police officer. They say there’s a warrant out for your arrest either due to unpaid fines or a hit-and-run involving your vehicle. To “resolve the matter quickly,” they demand immediate payment via prepaid gift cards or bank transfer, and warn that if you refuse to comply or tell anyone, you'll face immediate arrest.
Panicked and unsure, you follow their instructions, only to later realize it was a scam. The caller had no connection to law enforcement, and the phone number they used was fake, making it impossible to trace.
💡Tip: Always verify independently. Hang up and call the organisation or company using an official number, or go in person if possible.
5. Romance Scams
Scammers create fake online relationships to build your trust, then exploit it by asking for money, often claiming emergencies like medical bills, travel expenses, or other urgent needs.
🔍 Example:
You meet someone on a dating app who quickly expresses strong feelings and talks about a future together. Then they claim they’ve been stranded overseas and urgently need money to pay for a flight home, resolve a legal issue, cover an urgent surgery, or book a flight to visit you. They might ask you to purchase digital gift cards like RazerGold, cryptocurrency cards, or similar. Once you send the money, they disappear or keep asking for more.
💡Tip: Be cautious about sending money to people you haven’t met in person, no matter how convincing their story is.
6. Pig Butchering / Investment Scams
These scams promise guaranteed, high returns with no risk. This involves scammers convincing you to invest in fake cryptocurrency or trading platforms. You’re encouraged to invest more and more until the scammers disappear with your money.
🔍 Example:
You connect with someone on WhatsApp who claims to be a successful crypto trader. They guide you to a professional-looking trading site and say you need to "top up" your trading account using gift cards like razergold.
You purchase $200 worth of cards from SEAGM and send them the codes. Your account appears to grow in value [fake profit], so you keep sending more. Eventually, the platform locks you out, and your “mentor” blocks you. The gift card balances were drained immediately after you sent them.
💡Tip: Legitimate investments don’t involve gift cards or guaranteed returns. “Guaranteed returns” or “zero risk” claims are classic red flags.
7. Employment Scams
Scammers often post fake job offers promising high pay or easy remote work to lure victims in. Once they’ve gained your trust, they may ask for upfront payments, personal information, or unusual favours that cost you money or risk your identity.
🔍 Example:
Situation 1:
You receive a job offer to work as a remote personal assistant to a CEO, earning $8,000 per month. It sounds like a dream job. For the first week, you carry out simple tasks and communicate regularly with your “boss.” Then, they mention that the company’s annual dinner is coming up and ask you to quickly purchase digital gift cards for a lucky draw segment, stressing urgency and professionalism. They assure you that the cost will be fully reimbursed with your first paycheck.
Trusting the process, you buy the gift cards and send them the PINs. But shortly after, your “boss” disappears. The job was fake, and your money is gone.
Situation 2:
You get offered a high-paying remote admin job from a company that looks legitimate online. After a quick chat interview, you’re hired immediately. Then, they ask you to buy “work supplies” from their “authorised vendor” using prepaid gift cards purchased through platforms like SEAGM, promising reimbursement in your first paycheck. Without hesitation, you buy and send the codes, but communication fades, and payment never arrives. Later, you discover the company was fake, the gift card balances are gone, and your personal info is compromised.
💡Tip: Scammers often gain your trust first, then make unusual requests involving gift cards or bank transfers. Always verify company details, check for a legitimate employment contract, and never pay for company expenses out of pocket, especially if you’ve never met your employer in person.
🚩Some Red Flags That Signal a Scam
Payment requests via untraceable methods
Urgency or threats
Requests for personal or financial information
Deals that seem too good to be true
Requests to keep it secret
Lack of verifiable information
Too much flattery or emotional manipulation
💡 Remember: When in doubt, take a step back, verify independently, and never rush into sending money or sharing personal information.
✅Stay Safe, Stay Smart
Pause: Don’t act on impulse. Take a moment to breathe before responding to urgent requests.
Verify: Always confirm the legitimacy of messages by contacting the company or authority directly through official channels.
Protect: Secure your accounts by changing passwords regularly, enabling two-factor authentication, and monitoring frequently for any unusual activity.
If you feel unsure or spot something fishy, don’t hesitate to chat with us anytime via LiveChat. We’re here to support you. Your safety is our top priority.
Thank you.
Visit the SEAGM Support site for quick answers and guides.
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