Not all scams are created equal.
Some are annoying.
Some waste your time.
And then there are the truly evil ones — the scams designed to hit people at their most vulnerable moments and wipe them out emotionally, financially, or both.
These aren’t accidents.
They’re engineered.
Below are 10 of the cruelest scams, who they target, how they work, and why even smart, careful people fall for them.
1. Sextortion Scams
Who they target: Kids, teens, young adults — especially boys
How it works:
A scammer:
- Pretends to be a peer or romantic interest
- Encourages explicit photos or video
- Then threatens to send it to family, friends, or schools unless paid
Sometimes there was never a real person on the other end. Sometimes there was never real footage at all.
Why it’s evil:
It uses shame and fear — the two strongest silencers.
How it ruins lives:
Victims are often too scared or embarrassed to tell anyone. Some have been blackmailed repeatedly. Some have died by suicide.
Key truth:
Once they have money, they never stop asking.
2. The Grandparent Scam
Who they target: Older adults, especially loving grandparents
How it works:
A call comes in:
“Grandma, it’s me. I’m in trouble.”
The scammer claims:
- Jail
- An accident
- A lawyer needs money immediately
They beg:
“Please don’t tell Mom and Dad.”
Why it’s evil:
It weaponizes love, urgency, and secrecy.
How it cleans people out:
Victims drain savings, send cash, or wire thousands before realizing the truth.
3. Romance Scams
Who they target: Lonely adults of all ages
How it works:
A long emotional relationship is built online.
Then comes:
- A medical emergency
- A business problem
- A travel issue
Money requests escalate slowly.
Why it’s evil:
The loss isn’t just money — it’s trust, dignity, and emotional security.
Devastating reality:
Victims often send everything before admitting something’s wrong.
4. Government Impersonation Scams
Who they target: People who fear authority or rely on benefits
How it works:
Scammers pose as:
- The IRS
- Social Security
- Courts
- Law enforcement
They threaten arrest, fines, or benefit loss.
Why it’s evil:
Fear shuts down logic.
How it destroys finances:
Victims pay fake debts with gift cards, wire transfers, or crypto.
5. Tech Support Scams
Who they target: Older adults and less tech-confident users
How it works:
Fake alerts claim:
“Your computer is infected.”
The scammer:
- Takes remote control
- Installs malware
- Steals banking info
Why it’s evil:
It exploits trust in “experts.”
How bad it gets:
Victims lose bank access, files, and sometimes identity control.
6. Investment & Crypto Scams
Who they target: People worried about money or retirement
How it works:
Promises of:
- Guaranteed returns
- Insider knowledge
- Limited-time opportunities
Often paired with fake dashboards showing “profits.”
Why it’s evil:
It preys on fear of falling behind.
Outcome:
Victims invest more and more — until everything is gone.
7. Fake Kid-in-Trouble Scams
Who they target: Parents and caregivers
How it works:
A call or text claims your child:
- Has been arrested
- Is injured
- Needs bail or fees
Often spoofed from familiar numbers.
Why it’s evil:
Nothing overrides rational thinking faster than fear for your child.
8. Fake Charity Scams After Tragedies
Who they target: Compassionate people
How it works:
Scammers exploit:
- Natural disasters
- Mass shootings
- Medical crises
Using real photos and fake donation pages.
Why it’s evil:
It steals generosity during grief.
9. Child Identity Theft
Who they target: Children (and parents who don’t know to check)
How it works:
A child’s unused identity is used to:
- Open credit cards
- Take loans
- Build years of fraudulent history
Why it’s evil:
Kids won’t find out until adulthood.
Prevention miracle:
Freezing your child’s credit stops this cold.
10. Sexting Blackmail Without Interaction
Who they target: Teens and adults alike
How it works:
Scammers claim they have explicit images — even when they don’t — and threaten exposure.
Why it’s evil:
Fear works even without proof.
Important truth:
If they really had what they claimed, they would show it. They don’t.
The Common Thread in the Worst Scams
All of these rely on:
- Urgency
- Fear
- Secrecy
- Shame
- Love
They are emotional attacks, not technical ones.
What Actually Stops These Scams
- Talking openly about them
- Normalizing asking for help
- Removing shame from victims
- Teaching kids they won’t be punished for coming forward
- Using credit freezes and multi-factor authentication
The Most Important Thing to Remember
Scammers don’t target intelligence.
They target emotion.
If a situation demands:
- Immediate action
- Secrecy
- Payment through unusual means
That’s your sign to stop.
Final Truth Bomb 💣
If someone says:
“Don’t tell anyone.”
Tell everyone.
That one sentence breaks more scams than any software ever will.
The Family Safety Talk
(Two Versions: One for Kids & Teens, One for Adults Who May Be Vulnerable)
This isn’t a lecture.
It’s not scary.
And it’s not about blaming anyone.
It’s about giving people permission to pause, ask for help, and not feel embarrassed — because scams work best in silence.
You can read these word-for-word, or use them as a loose script.
PART 1
The Safety Talk for Kids & Teens
(Phones, Games, Social Media, and the Internet)
Start like this (seriously — this matters)
“You are not in trouble.
You will never be in trouble for telling me something that makes you uncomfortable or scared.”
Say it out loud.
Mean it.
Most online harm continues because kids think they’ll get punished.
The Three Rules That Beat Almost Every Scam
Rule #1: No Secrets From Adults
If anyone online says:
- “Don’t tell your parents”
- “This is just between us”
- “You’ll get in trouble if you tell”
👉 That’s a red flag. Full stop.
Good adults don’t ask kids for secrets.
Rule #2: No Sending Pictures or Videos — Ever
Even if:
- They say they’re your age
- They say everyone does it
- They say they won’t save it
- You’ve talked for weeks or months
Once something is sent, you can’t control it.
And here’s the most important part:
If someone already has a picture or claims they do —
Tell an adult immediately.
You are not in trouble.
They are.
Rule #3: If It Feels Weird, You Stop
You don’t need proof.
You don’t need a reason.
You don’t need to be polite.
If something feels:
- Pushy
- Scary
- Gross
- Confusing
You stop and tell an adult.
Your instincts are allowed to be loud.
Let’s Talk About Sextortion (In Plain Language)
This is when someone:
- Pretends to be a friend or crush
- Asks for pictures
- Then threatens to share them
Important truths kids need to hear:
- Paying never fixes it
- They don’t stop asking
- Adults can help stop it
- You are not the only one this has happened to
If this happens:
- Stop responding
- Save messages (don’t forward them)
- Tell a trusted adult immediately
This is a help situation, not a punishment situation.
Quick Reality Checks for Kids
- Real friends don’t pressure you
- Real adults don’t flirt with kids
- Real prizes don’t require photos
- Real games don’t ask for passwords
- Real problems don’t require secrecy
If anyone online says:
“You’ll ruin everything if you tell”
That’s the scam talking.
End the Kid Talk Like This
“You can come to me for anything.
Even if you made a mistake.
Even if you’re scared.
Even if you think I’ll be mad.”
That sentence alone protects kids more than any app.
PART 2
The Safety Talk for Adults Who May Be Vulnerable
(Loneliness, Authority, Urgency, and Trust)
This talk is about respect, not capability.
Smart, capable adults get scammed because scammers target emotion, not intelligence.
Start with dignity
“Scams today are designed to fool good people.
Asking for help isn’t weakness — it’s protection.”
Never frame this as:
- “You might mess up”
- “You’re not good with technology”
Frame it as:
“This stuff has changed fast, and nobody got a manual.”
The Four Danger Signals to Memorize
1. Urgency
“If you don’t act right now…”
Scammers rush so you don’t think.
2. Authority
Claims to be:
- Government
- Police
- Bank
- Court
- Tech support
Real institutions do not threaten or rush by phone or text.
3. Secrecy
“Don’t tell your family.”
That sentence alone is enough to stop and call someone.
4. Unusual Payment Requests
- Gift cards
- Wire transfers
- Crypto
- Zelle for emergencies
Those are scam payments.
The Grandparent / Family Emergency Script
If you get a call saying a loved one is in trouble:
- Hang up
- Call another family member
- Call the person directly
- Verify before sending money
Real emergencies allow verification.
Scams demand silence.
Romance Scams: The Hardest Talk
This is about connection, not foolishness.
Key truths:
- Scammers build emotional intimacy first
- Crises come later
- Money requests escalate slowly
If someone:
- Won’t meet in person
- Has constant emergencies
- Needs financial help
You stop and talk to someone you trust.
Love does not require secrecy or wire transfers.
Technology Rules That Protect You
- Never click links in unexpected messages
- Never give codes over the phone
- Never trust caller ID alone
- Always verify independently
- Use credit cards, not debit cards
And most importantly:
It is okay to hang up.
It is okay to say no.
It is okay to check with family.
The Permission Statement (This Matters)
Say this clearly:
“If you ever feel unsure, embarrassed, or scared — call me first.
I won’t be mad. I’ll help.”
That sentence prevents more financial devastation than any antivirus software.
Family Agreement (Highly Recommended)
Create a shared rule:
No one in this family sends money, codes, or personal information without checking with another person first.
This removes shame and replaces it with teamwork.
The Big Truth for Everyone
Scams succeed when people feel:
- Alone
- Rushed
- Ashamed
Families beat scams by:
- Talking openly
- Removing blame
- Encouraging questions
And remembering this:
Scammers are professionals.
Asking for help is not failure — it’s defense.
I scrolled the different examples of scams. I am so ashamed I fell for the Romance scam. To be it was as a good friend.