Scam Types · 7 articles
Scam Categories
These pages document the scam categories GACS sees most often, with the specific phrases, channels, and patterns each one uses. Use them to recognise a scam in progress and to file a report that helps the next person.
Top 100 Scam Phrases in 2026
The phrases scammers actually send, ranked by 2026 frequency.
phrasesscriptslanguageWhatsApp Scams
Family-emergency, wrong-number, and recruiter scams on WhatsApp.
whatsappmessagingscamBitcoin Scams
Investment fraud, fake exchanges, and recovery-scam patterns in BTC.
bitcoinbtccryptoQuishing Scams: How to Spot and Avoid QR Code Phishing
QR-code phishing explained: fake parking stickers, restaurant overlays, email QR traps, delivery scams, and crypto drainer codes — plus how to scan safely.
quishingqr codephishingfake websiteHow to Report a Pig-Butchering Scam
Step-by-step report for romance-into-investment scams.
pig butcheringromanceinvestmentHow to Report a Scam Website
Where to file at Google Safe Browsing, registrars, and CERT.
websitereportphishingThe Global Scam Database
Public, searchable database of confirmed scams — permanent warning pages.
databaseblacklistsearch
Scam Types — Frequently Asked Questions
The questions readers ask most about scam categories. Each answer points back to the article in this category that covers it in depth.
What are the most common scam phrases in 2026?
The Top 100 Scam Phrases list is ranked by 2026 frequency — recurring openers include 'I'm reaching out from [exchange] support', 'I can help you recover funds', and 'wrong number, but you seem interesting'. Each phrase links to the scam type that uses it.
Read more: Top 100 Scam Phrases in 2026
How does a pig-butchering scam work?
It blends romance grooming with fake investment platforms. The scammer builds trust over weeks, introduces a 'proven' trading site, lets the victim withdraw a small amount, then traps a much larger deposit. The reporting guide covers evidence collection and the right agencies to file with.
Read more: How to Report a Pig-Butchering Scam
What makes WhatsApp scams different from SMS scams?
WhatsApp scams exploit the platform's contact-based trust model: family-emergency impersonation, fake recruiter pitches, and wrong-number openers that pivot to investment fraud. End-to-end encryption means platform reporting is limited; speed of victim education matters more.
Read more: WhatsApp Scams
How do I spot and avoid quishing (QR-code phishing) scams?
Quishing uses QR codes to bypass link scanners: fake parking stickers, restaurant menu overlays, email QR codes, and crypto airdrop flyers. Always preview the URL, check for sticker overlays, and confirm the domain before tapping Open. The full guide covers the six most common patterns and a safe-scan checklist.
Read more: Quishing Scams: How to Spot and Avoid QR Code Phishing
How do I check if a Bitcoin address is linked to known scams?
Paste it into the GACS wallet checker. The Bitcoin Scams page also catalogs the recurring patterns — fake exchange domains, recovery-scam wallets, and investment-fraud rotation addresses.
Read more: Bitcoin Scams, How to Verify a Wallet Address
Where can I search confirmed scams that GACS has already documented?
The Global Scam Database is fully public, searchable by handle, wallet, domain, phone, or email. Every confirmed entry has a permanent warning page so the next person who Googles it lands on the warning first.
Read more: The Global Scam Database, How to Report a Scam Website
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