📋 Scam Pattern Library
The 13 scam patterns our engine detects automatically — learn how each one works and how to dodge it.
When you run the AI Scam Checker, your input is matched against this library, so the more you know, the sharper your guard.
Fraud & payment tricks
Advance-fee / prepayment scam
You are promised money, a prize, a job, a parcel or an inheritance — but first you must pay a fee. The fee is the scam.
How to avoid: Never pay an upfront fee to receive money. Legitimate prizes, salaries and deliveries never ask you to pay first.
Detection keywords
processing fee, release fee, delivery fee, admin fee, activation fee, transfer fee, customs fee, clearance fee, shipping fee
Fake lottery / prize win
You "won" a lottery you never entered. To claim, you must pay tax, fees or provide banking details. All of it is fake.
How to avoid: You cannot win a lottery you didn't enter. Ignore and delete. Never send money or bank details to claim a prize.
Detection keywords
you have won, you won, winner, lottery, prize, congratulations, claim your prize, lotto, jackpot
Fake SASSA / grant scam
Fake SASSA messages offer grant increases or ask you to "re-register" and pay a fee or share your ID and banking details. SASSA never charges fees.
How to avoid: SASSA never asks for money. Verify only on the official SASSA channels (sassa.gov.za) and report to the SASSA fraud hotline.
Detection keywords
sassa, grant, srd, r350, re-register, grant increase, gold card, sassa card
Fake investment / crypto scheme
A "trader" or friend promises guaranteed high returns. You invest; profits appear on a fake dashboard; but withdrawing requires more fees — then the money vanishes.
How to avoid: No legitimate investment guarantees returns. Withdraw before investing. Verify the company with the FSCA.
Detection keywords
guaranteed returns, double your money, investment opportunity, crypto investment, mining pool, forex signals, passive income, get rich quick, withdraw your profit
Romance / love scam
A fake online partner builds trust over weeks, then needs money for an "emergency", travel, or to release a package — and disappears once paid.
How to avoid: Never send money or crypto to someone you've only met online. Video-call early and verify identity.
Detection keywords
my love, sweetheart, military, oil rig, ship captain, united nations, doctor, i love you, meet you in person, marriage
Fake tech-support scam
A pop-up or call warns your PC is infected and offers "help" — then demands remote access or payment for fake repairs.
How to avoid: Legitimate companies never cold-call about your PC. Close the pop-up, never grant remote access, and use your real antivirus.
Detection keywords
your computer has a virus, microsoft support, windows security, ransomware alert, remote access, pop-up, windows has been blocked, call this number
Fake job / salary scam
A "job" pays for easy tasks but requires an upfront fee, or "your salary" needs you to send money back — money laundering or fee theft.
How to avoid: Real employers never ask you to pay to be hired. Never send money to an employer.
Detection keywords
job offer, work from home, task scam, signing bonus, data entry, mystery shopper, salary advance, processing your salary, pay to start
Invoice / supplier fraud (BEC)
A fake invoice or email claiming to be from a supplier/vendor asks you to pay or change bank details — funds go to the scammer.
How to avoid: Verify any bank-detail change by phone using a number you already have on file. Confirm invoices with the supplier directly.
Detection keywords
invoice, outstanding payment, final notice, pay this invoice, updated bank details, re-route payment, settle account
Gift-card payment demand
Anyone demanding payment in gift cards, vouchers or airtime is a scammer — no legitimate company accepts them.
How to avoid: Gift cards are for gifts, not payments. If someone demands one, it's a scam.
Detection keywords
gift card, itunes card, steam card, pay with voucher, voucher code, airtime, scratch card, redeem code
Family emergency / hijack plea
A scammer pretends to be a relative in danger and urgently needs money. They exploit fear to bypass your judgment.
How to avoid: Call the relative on a number you know. Ask a question only they could answer. Verify before sending anything.
Detection keywords
your son, your daughter, in trouble, family emergency, help me please, i am in danger, send money now, arrested, kidnapped
Phishing & impersonation
Fake parcel / courier scam
A message says a parcel is held and you must pay a small fee or click a link to release or re-route it. It's a phishing attempt to steal card details or bank access.
How to avoid: Track parcels only via the official courier app or website you booked with. Never click SMS links for "delivery".
Detection keywords
parcel, courier, dhl, post office, sapo, package, delivery, tracking number, vat on parcel, re-route, redirect your parcel
Bank OTP / account takeover
Fraudsters call, SMS or email posing as your bank, claiming suspicious activity and asking for your OTP, PIN or to "verify" details. A real bank never asks for your OTP.
How to avoid: Never share OTPs, PINs or passwords — with anyone, ever. Hang up and call your bank on the number on the back of your card.
Detection keywords
otp, one time pin, one-time pin, verification code, confirm your card, unusual activity, your account is locked, account suspended, verify your identity, card blocked
Extortion & blackmail
Sextortion / intimate image scam
An email claims the attacker has intimate videos or recorded you browsing adult sites, and will leak them unless you pay in crypto. It's a mass-mailed bluff — usually no video exists.
How to avoid: Don't pay. Do not reply. Report to the police and to the platform. Block and ignore.
Detection keywords
webcam, intimate video, recorded you, sextortion, compromising photos, i have your photos, i recorded
🛡️ Stay sharp
Patterns evolve fast. Check recent community reports, set up a watchlist alert, and when in doubt, run the AI Scam Checker.