Most scam victims don't think they're being careless, they think they're being normal. They reply to a message, click a link, or trust a familiar tone, only to discover later that they've been manipulated.
In Part One, we examined five clear scam techniques that even smart, cautious people fall for them. This second part outlines the other five signs that a scam is in progress, along with simple actions you can take to protect your information, and stay one step ahead of fraud.
6. SUSPICIOUS LINKS
Suspicious links look like:
- Links that don't match the supposed sender
- Shortened URLs (bit.ly) in official communications
- Links asking you to log in to view something
The link usually looks clickable and is typically from what seems to be a trusted sender.
How to escape: Hover over links before clicking (on desktop). On mobile, long-press the link to preview the URL. You can also go to the website directly, or use link checkers such as virustotal.com can scan suspicious URLs.
7. EMOTIONAL MANIPULATION
Emotional manipulation looks like:
- Weeks/months of online friendship or romance
- Sudden emergency requiring money
- I'll pay you back when I visit next month
- Refusal to video call or meet in person
Love (or the promise of it) makes us vulnerable, and when emotions are involved, logic often flies out of the window.
How to escape: Video call before sending money. If they refuse, walk away. If they send a picture of themselves, reverse image search their photos (drag photo into Google Images).
Someone who truly cared about you would not put you in such a position.
8. IMPERSONATION
With impersonation, the scammer hacks the account of your loved one and pretends to be them while attempting to seek favours from you. This looks like:
- Hacked WhatsApp accounts asking for urgent money
- Email from your boss requesting a gift
- Your cousin messaging from a new number
It works because we trust people we know. Scammers exploit that trust.
How to escape: Verify through a different channel.
Call them directly. Ask a question only the real person would know. Be suspicious of ANY money request via text, even from trusted contacts. Also, enable two-factor authentication on all accounts to prevent hacking in the first place.
9. UNEXPECTED CONTACT CLAIMING YOU HAVE WON
This looks like:
- Calls/texts about prizes, loans, or opportunities you didn't apply for
- You're pre-approved for a ₦500,000 loan!
- Your number was selected for a special promotion
How to escape: If you didn't apply, it's not real. No one randomly selects your number for free money. Google the phone number, and you will probably see that others have reported it as a scam.
10. REQUESTS TO KEEP IT SECRET
Scammers sometimes request that you keep the investment a secret. They may say:
- Don't tell your family about this investment
- This opportunity is confidential
- Your bank asked us not to discuss this with anyone
This secrecy prevents you from getting a second opinion. Scammers always attempt to isolate you from people who would stop you.
How to escape: Seek a second opinion. Always run financial decisions past someone you trust. Legitimate businesses always want you to get advice. If they demand secrecy, it's definitely a scam.
That's it. Now you know the signs.
If you or anyone you know receives messaging such as these, stop immediately and verify through official financial channels.
Stay safe online.
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