The person promises to pay me back double if I lend money now. Is that a scam?
Yes. Nobody who can pay you back double next week needs to borrow from a stranger today. The promise exists only to make you send money now; once it is sent, there will be a delay, a problem and then silence.
The offer comes in many shapes: a businessperson whose funds are "frozen", a trader who needs a small amount to close a deal, a partner whose salary is held by the company. The bigger the promised return, the surer the scam. Real emergencies do not come with profit.
Signs to look for
- The return is unrealistic: double, triple, or a share of a big deal.
- The money is needed today, and the person is "not allowed" to use their own account.
- There is a document: a contract, a bank letter, a screenshot of millions. All easy to fake.
- Pressure and sweetness alternate: "I thought you trusted me".
- Check the person before you answer: photos, number, messages, and the name with "scammer".
Frequently asked questions
- The person signed a promissory note. Does that protect me?
- A note signed by a fake identity is worth nothing. If you do not know who the person really is, you cannot collect.
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