Online Scam Awareness & Reporting

An online scam is a deceptive scheme carried out through the internet with the intent of obtaining money, personal information, financial credentials, or other valuable data. Cybercriminals use a variety of digital platforms—including email, text messages, social media, online marketplaces, messaging applications, gaming platforms, and fraudulent websites—to contact potential victims.

Modern scams are often carefully designed to appear legitimate. Criminals may impersonate banks, government agencies, technology companies, delivery services, employers, investment firms, charities, or even family members. By creating a false sense of trust or urgency, they attempt to convince victims to send money, reveal sensitive information, install malicious software, or provide one-time verification codes.

Some scams are highly targeted and rely on information gathered from publicly available sources or previous data breaches. Others are distributed on a large scale through automated phishing campaigns that reach thousands of potential victims simultaneously. Regardless of the method used, the objective is typically financial gain or unauthorized access to accounts and personal information.

Online scams continue to evolve as technology changes. Artificial intelligence, social engineering, fake customer support services, cryptocurrency investment schemes, romance fraud, and counterfeit online stores have made cyber-enabled fraud increasingly sophisticated. Remaining cautious, independently verifying unexpected requests, and protecting sensitive information are essential practices for reducing the risk of victimization.

If you believe you have encountered an online scam, preserve all available evidence—including emails, messages, screenshots, payment confirmations, website addresses, and transaction records—and report the incident as soon as possible. Timely reporting helps support intelligence analysis, identify emerging fraud trends, and assist appropriate investigative partners.

Step 1 — Initial Contact

Criminals initiate contact through email, SMS, advertisements, fake online stores, dating platforms, messaging applications, social media, or phone calls.

Step 2 — Building Trust

The scammer attempts to appear credible by impersonating a trusted organization or establishing a relationship over time. Professional branding, fake identification, cloned websites, and convincing language are commonly used.

Step 3 — Creating Urgency

Victims are encouraged to make quick decisions without verifying information. Fear, excitement, financial gain, or emotional manipulation are frequently used to influence behavior.

Step 4 — Obtaining Money or Information

The victim is instructed to transfer money, purchase gift cards, reveal passwords, install remote-access software, share one-time verification codes, or submit sensitive personal information.

Step 5 — Disappearing or Repeating the Fraud

After receiving money or valuable information, scammers often disappear, demand additional payments, or sell the victim's personal information to other criminal groups for future fraud attempts.

• Verify unexpected requests through official contact information before responding.
• Never share passwords, PINs, one-time verification codes, or authentication tokens.
• Enable multi-factor authentication whenever available.
• Keep operating systems, browsers, and applications updated with the latest security patches.
• Carefully inspect website addresses before entering personal or financial information.
• Avoid clicking links or downloading attachments from unknown or unexpected messages.
• Monitor bank accounts and online accounts regularly for unauthorized activity.
• Research unfamiliar companies before making purchases or investments.

• Email messages and full email headers
• Text messages and chat conversations
• Screenshots of websites or social media profiles
• Bank statements and payment confirmations
• Cryptocurrency wallet addresses
• Phone numbers and email addresses used by suspects
• Website URLs and domain names
• Shipping receipts or invoices
• Dates, times, and locations of relevant events
• Any additional supporting documents or images

Can I report an attempted scam?

Yes. Even if no financial loss occurred, reporting attempted scams helps identify emerging fraud patterns.

What evidence should I provide?

Include screenshots, emails, messages, payment records, website links, usernames, account numbers, and any information related to the incident.

Can I update my report later?

Yes. Keep your NCIC reference number available if you need to provide additional information.

Will NCIC recover my money?

Submission of a report does not guarantee financial recovery or investigation. Reports support criminal intelligence assessment and referral processes.