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Advance-Fee Fraud

Recognising and Avoiding Upfront Payment Scams

Advance-fee fraud is a scam where victims are promised a large sum of money in return for a small upfront fee...

Diagram showing money flowing to a scammer upfront with no return

Things to Be Careful About:

  • Requests for Upfront Payment: Be highly skeptical...
  • Too-Good-to-Be-True Offers: If an offer seems too lucrative...
  • Pressure to Act Quickly: Scammers often create a sense of urgency...
  • Confidentiality Requests: Be cautious if you're told to keep the deal a secret...

Actions That Can Be Taken:

  1. Verify the Offer: Do independent research...
  2. Consult with Trusted Individuals: Talk to friends or family...
  3. Report the Scam: Report to local law enforcement or consumer protection agencies...
  4. Educate Yourself: Learn how to identify common red flags...

Advance-fee fraud preys on hope and financial desperation...

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