Scammers will go to great lengths to convince you that a fortune awaits if you follow their instructions.

You may be introduced to a second or even third scammer – posing as a banker, TV channel representative or government official – to 'help facilitate the legal and financial aspects of the transaction’.

Some of the common scams include:

a)         Attempts to gain your personal information

Scammers use all kinds of approaches to steal personal details. Once obtained, they can use the stolen identity to commit fraudulent activities.

b)         Impersonating Banks/Organizations

Scammers impersonate genuine organizations such as banks/Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP)/ Ehsas Programme etc. A common fraud technique is that your “ATM has been blocked” and that you should call a number (listed in the message) to get your ATM unblocked.

Another technique used by scammers is to pretend to be representatives of PTA and ask for money in guise of registration of mobile device.

c)         Threats & extortion

Scammers try to steal identity or money – including threatening the life of the person they are calling. Popular technique used by scammers impersonating Pakistan Army.

d)         Cash Transfer/”Sending a code”

Scammers invent convincing and seemingly legitimate reasons to lull the receiver of message or caller into a false sense of security. For example: a popular technique is to send the receiver a message about transferring money into their Easy Paisa or other e-payment account by mistake and to send a certain “code” or “message” back to them.

e)         Prize/Lottery Scams

Scammers trick you into giving money or your personal information in order to receive a prize from a lottery or competition that you may have never entered. Such scammers usually impersonate popular TV game show programmes.