Global Scam Watch

This is an interesting story, it has given me some ideas for a new article but in the meantime Kirsty's story provides some valuable insight into the psychological tactics used by scammers as well as some valuable information on how targets of scams can recover

A scammer used calculated, precise psychological manipulation in a six-month that dismantled Kirsty’s finances, her sense of self, and nearly her life.

This isn't a cautionary tale about carelessness. Kirsty was targeted by a criminal who studied her vulnerabilities and exploited them with the patience and precision of a professional.


https://vist.ly/56sfr

The Penticton South Okanagan Similkameen RCMP are investigating a new fraud in our area in which fraudsters target the elderly community.

Posed as public officials or trusted institutions, the fraudster calls the victim making up an elaborate scenario and asking the victim to assist in tracking down foreign scammers. The fraudster tries to convince the victim to donate money or gain access to personal information.

The RCMP encourages you to remind the loved ones in your life that the police, government offices or banks will never ask you for money or your personal information over the phone. If a caller is asking, hang up immediately and phone the police.

The Penticton South Okanagan Similkameen RCMP remind the public that legitimate agencies will never demand immediate payment, cash deliveries, or secrecy. If in doubt pause, verify, and report.

If you do fall victim to fraud, report the theft to police immediately by calling 250-492-4300.

𝗦𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗨𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗶 𝗧𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗲𝗼 𝗜𝗻𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗵𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗼 𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗨𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘀

There has been a recent surge in scams involving AI tools, and authorities are warning that scammers are now using a method called SEO injection phishing to push fake websites into search results and AI generated recommendations.

This is an evolution of existing scam tactics rather than something entirely new. Scammers have long used phishing emails, fake customer support pages, and cloned websites. What is changing is how they now influence what AI tools and search systems surface as trusted sources.

In these cases, scammers create or manipulate websites so they appear legitimate and closely match real banks, retailers, government services, and utility providers. When AI tools or search systems surface these links, users may assume they are safe and click through. Once personal or financial information is entered, scammers can steal credentials and use them for fraud or identity theft.

The concern raised by authorities is not only the fake websites themselves, but also the way manipulated search data can affect what AI tools recommend. When online information is distorted or artificially boosted, it can lead AI systems to surface unsafe links alongside legitimate ones.

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗧𝗼 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳

- Avoid relying on AI generated links for logins, payments, or account recovery.

- Type official website addresses directly into your browser instead of clicking suggested results.

- Check web addresses carefully for small spelling differences or unusual domain endings.

- Use official apps or bookmarked sites when dealing with sensitive accounts.

- Be cautious of urgent requests for payments, password resets, or personal details.

- Monitor bank and online accounts regularly for suspicious activity.

- Report suspicious links or fake websites to the service being impersonated.

AI tools are becoming part of everyday use, but scammers are adapting alongside them. Treat AI generated links and search results with the same caution as any other suspicious online message.

𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗦𝗰𝗮𝗺 𝗧𝗼 𝗔 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁

A friend sent me an email she received about the bread price fixing settlement. It is a reminder of how quickly scammers move in on any major news or payout event.

Phishing campaigns like this are not isolated. Criminal groups track public announcements such as class actions, rebates, and government payments, then build fake messages around them to trick people into handing over personal information.

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗦𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲

Scammers use emails, text messages, and social media ads that closely copy real organizations, law firms, or government agencies.

They rely on urgency and financial pressure to get people to click without thinking. Messages often claim limited time offers or unexpected payouts.

The links lead to fake websites designed to collect passwords, banking details, and other sensitive information.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗢𝗳 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴

The goal of these scams is to capture banking credentials and use them immediately.

In many cases, the fake website acts as a relay between the victim and the real bank.

As login details are entered, scammers attempt to use them on the real banking site at the same time

If a security code is sent for multi factor authentication, the fake site prompts the victim to enter it and forwards it instantly

Once access is gained, automated tools are used to transfer money out of the account within minutes

𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽𝘀 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗩𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

Protecting personal information requires caution with every unexpected message.

Never click links or open attachments from unsolicited messages

Go directly to the official website instead of using links provided in messages

Enable multi factor authentication on all important accounts

Use security software that helps detect and block malicious websites

𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆

Reporting suspicious messages helps reduce the impact of these scams.

Any phishing attempts, suspected fraud, or compromised accounts should be reported to the appropriate cybercrime reporting channels, financial institutions, or local authorities as soon as possible.

Quick reporting helps identify patterns and shut down fraudulent systems before more people are affected.

The Vancouver Police Department as well as several other Police Department's are warning the public of the resurgence of the Blessing Scam, which primarily targets seniors. Read more about the scam here:

www.globalscamwatch.org/scams/blessing-scam

𝗦𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗙𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗲𝘁 𝗨𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗜

Lately I have been seeing warnings about this scam popping up around the world, and it is not new. This scheme has been targeting pet owners for some time, and it keeps coming back. If your dog or cat goes missing and a stranger contacts you with a photo as proof, stop before you send a single dollar. The image may be entirely fabricated using AI tools applied to photos you posted yourself.

The scam begins when a pet owner posts about a missing pet on social media. Scammers monitor those posts, steal the photos, and use AI image generators to produce realistic-looking pictures showing the pet injured inside what appears to be a veterinary clinic or emergency facility. The owner is then contacted by someone claiming the pet has been found but needs immediate medical treatment, and payment must be made before treatment can begin.

Victims have been targeted across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, and the problem is spreading globally. UK police have reported dealing with hundreds of cases. A family searching for their missing dog received a convincing AI-generated photo of the pet along with a demand for thousands of dollars for its safe return. In Alabama, a man posted about his missing Chihuahua on a Monday. By Tuesday morning, a caller told him the dog had been hit by a car and was in surgery. He paid $900 before the call ended. His dog was later found safe. One nonprofit organization in California reports receiving around 20 calls per day from people reporting similar incidents.

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳

Do not send any money until you have your pet physically in front of you. Photos and even real-time video can be faked using deepfake technology, so visual proof alone is not enough. Check any image you receive carefully, as AI often struggles with paws, fur edges, and natural textures, and tends to produce overly shiny or unnatural-looking eyes. Call any veterinary clinic named using a number you find yourself to confirm the pet is actually there. Be especially suspicious of anyone who refuses to let you verify their location independently or who pressures you to pay immediately through cryptocurrency, gift cards, or e-transfer.

If you are targeted, report it to your local police and to the fraud reporting agency in your country. Share this post so other pet owners know what to watch for before it happens to them.

Here's an older article on this scam
www.globalscamwatch.org/scams/missing-pet-scams

This is an interesting low tech scam which seems to be going around. The simple solution is to wait for your receipt before you drive off, so you don't get screwed at the pump twice.

𝗪𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴: 𝗣𝗲𝘁 𝗣𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗰𝗮𝗺 𝗧𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗢𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲

Artists on social media are being targeted by a scam making the rounds, and I want other creatives to recognize the pattern before they get hurt.

The approach is a textbook version of a well-documented con. The scammer finds artists through social media platforms, moves communication to email and WhatsApp, and requests a custom painting of a deceased pet. The emotional hook of a beloved animal who recently passed is deliberate. It builds rapport and makes the artist less likely to question what follows.

This is a variation of an old overpayment scam. The con artist reaches out requesting a portrait commission, usually of a pet, and often offers a flat fee higher than what would normally be charged. Once the painting is complete and shown to the client, the conversation shifts to a non-standard payment platform.

If an overpayment is involved, the scammer sends more than the agreed amount and then asks the artist to reimburse the difference. The original payment is fraudulent, meaning the artist ends up sending real money while receiving nothing.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗹𝗮𝗴𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗳𝗼𝗿:

- Contact initiated through social media by a stranger
- Communication quickly moved off-platform to email and WhatsApp Business
- Emotional backstory involving a recently deceased pet
- Daily check-ins to maintain pressure and build false trust
- A non-standard payment platform introduced only after the work is completed

Artists who do pet portrait commissions are disproportionately targeted by these scammers. Genuine clients discuss what they want even when giving creative freedom. They do not simply leave everything to the artist and then immediately steer the conversation toward payment.

If you have encountered this pattern, do not send payment or refund any overpayment. Report it to your local police or your government's official anti-fraud organization. Be aware that recovery scammers actively target fraud victims by impersonating these very organizations, so verify any contact independently before engaging.