53 Ridiculous Scam Messages That Will Make You Laugh Out Loud

Scammers are always finding new ways to trick people into handing over their hard-earned money. From fake emails to phony phone calls, these scammers are constantly evolving their tactics to make you think they are legitimate. However, some scam messages are so ridiculous that they’re impossible to take seriously. Below are some of the funniest scam messages that people have received.

1. “YOU HAVE BEEN CHOSEN TO RECEIVE $10,000!!!”

This is one of the most common scam messages that people receive. Usually, scammers will ask you to provide personal information or pay a small fee to receive your “prize.” However, this is purely a scam, and you should never provide your personal information or send money to a stranger.

1.1 How to spot this scam?

• You are asked to provide personal information, such as your social security number or bank account details.
• You are asked to send money or pay a fee to receive your prize.
• The email is not personalized and is sent from a generic email address.

It’s always best to ignore these scam messages and delete them immediately.

2. “Congratulations! You’ve won a free vacation!”

This type of scam message usually informs the recipient that they have won a free vacation to an exotic location. However, there’s just one catch – they need to provide their credit card information to pay for the “taxes” or “fees.” This is a common scam, and you should delete these emails or hang up the phone immediately.

2.1 How to spot this scam?

• The message asks you to provide your credit card information to pay for taxes or fees
• The travel company is unknown or unfamiliar
• You are asked to pay before you receive the vacation details

It’s always best to research the travel company before booking your vacation and never give your credit card information to strangers over the phone or email.

3. “We detected a problem with your account”

Many people receive scam emails or phone calls that inform them there is a problem with their account, such as a recent purchase or account suspension. They may ask you to provide personal information, such as login credentials or credit card information, to fix the “problem.” Remember, legitimate companies will never ask you for your personal information over the phone or email.

3.1 How to spot this scam?

• The message is from an unknown company or a company you don’t do business with
• You are asked to provide personal information, such as login credentials or credit card information
• The message is threatening or pressuring you to act quickly

If you’re unsure about the legitimacy of the message, always contact the company directly through their official website or customer service phone number.

4. “Your computer has a virus!”

This is a common scam message that alerts the recipient that their computer has been infected with a virus and that they need to call a tech support number to fix the issue. Once they call the number, the scammers trick them into allowing them to access their computer. They may then install malware or steal personal information.

4.1 How to spot this scam?

• The message is unsolicited or from an unfamiliar company
• The message is urgent or threatening
• The message asks you to call a suspicious phone number

Always be cautious when allowing strangers to access your computer and be sure to research the tech support company before giving them access to your personal information.

5. “You’ve won a free iPhone!”

Similar to the free vacation scam, scammers may also offer a free iPhone or another expensive device. However, the recipient is asked to provide their personal information or credit card information to receive the “free” device. It’s important to remember that if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

5.1 How to spot this scam?

• The offer is unsolicited or from an unfamiliar company
• You are asked to provide personal information or credit card information
• The offer seems too good to be true

Always research the company offering the free device and never provide your personal information to strangers on the internet.

6. “You’ve won the lottery!”

Many people receive scam emails informing them they have won the lottery, even though they never entered. These scam messages often ask for personal information or a small fee to receive the winnings. It’s important to remember that legitimate lotteries will never ask you to pay a fee to receive your winnings.

6.1 How to spot this scam?

• You never entered the lottery
• You are asked to provide personal information or a fee to receive your winnings
• The email is unsolicited or from an unfamiliar company

Always be cautious of unsolicited emails claiming you have won the lottery and never provide your personal information to strangers.

7. “Your account has been suspended!”

Scammers may send emails informing people that their account has been suspended due to suspicious activity. They may then ask the recipient to provide their personal information, such as login credentials or social security numbers, to restore their account. It’s important to remember that legitimate companies will never ask for your personal information over email.

7.1 How to spot this scam?

• The email is unsolicited or from an unfamiliar company
• You are asked to provide personal information, such as login credentials or social security numbers
• The email is threatening or urgent

If you’re unsure about the legitimacy of the email, always contact the company directly through their official website or customer service phone number.

8. “You’ve been selected for a job opportunity!”

Scammers may send emails offering job opportunities to people who are looking for work. However, these job offers are usually too good to be true and often require the applicant to provide personal information or pay a fee to be considered for the position.

8.1 How to spot this scam?

• The job offer is unsolicited or from an unfamiliar company
• You are asked to provide personal information or pay a fee to be considered for the position
• The job offer seems too good to be true

Always research the company offering the job and be cautious when providing your personal information to strangers on the internet.

9. “Your account has been hacked!”

Scammers may send emails informing people that their account has been hacked and that they need to take immediate action to secure their data. They may ask for personal information or ask you to click on a link to reset your account password.

9.1 How to spot this scam?

• The email is unsolicited or from an unfamiliar company
• You are asked to provide personal information or click on a suspicious link
• The email is threatening or urgent

If you believe your account has been hacked, always contact the company directly through their official website or customer service phone number.

10. “You’ve been pre-approved for a loan!”

Scammers may send emails or make phone calls offering pre-approved loans to unsuspecting victims. However, these loans usually require the victim to provide personal information or pay a fee upfront to receive the loan.

10.1 How to spot this scam?

• The offer is unsolicited or from an unfamiliar company
• You are asked to provide personal information or pay a fee upfront
• The offer seems too good to be true

Always be cautious when considering a loan offer and never provide your personal information or pay a fee upfront.

11. “You’ve been selected to participate in a survey!”

Scammers may send emails providing a link to participate in a survey. However, these surveys usually require the victim to provide personal information or pay a fee to complete the survey. Once they have your personal information, the scammers may use it to steal your identity or sell it to other scammers.

11.1 How to spot this scam?

• The email is unsolicited or from an unfamiliar company
• You are asked to provide personal information or pay a fee to complete the survey
• The email seems too good to be true

Be cautious when participating in online surveys and never provide your personal information or pay a fee to complete a survey.

12. “You’ve won an all-expenses-paid trip to Hawaii!”

Scammers may send emails offering an all-expenses-paid trip to Hawaii or another exotic location. However, the recipient is required to provide personal information or pay a fee to receive the trip. It’s important to remember that if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

12.1 How to spot this scam?

• The offer is unsolicited or from an unfamiliar company
• You are asked to provide personal information or pay a fee to receive the trip
• The offer seems too good to be true

Always be cautious of unsolicited emails offering free vacations and never provide your personal information or pay a fee to receive a trip.

13. “You’ve been selected for a free trial!”

Scammers may offer people free trials of a product or service, such as diet pills or skincare products. However, the recipient is required to provide personal information or pay a fee to receive the free trial. Once they have your personal information, the scammers may use it to steal your identity or sell it to other scammers.

13.1 How to spot this scam?

• The offer is unsolicited or from an unfamiliar company
• You are asked to provide personal information or pay a fee to receive the free trial
• The offer seems too good to be true

Always be cautious of unsolicited emails offering free trials and never provide your personal information or pay a fee to receive a trial.

14. “You’ve won the Nigerian lottery!”

You may have received an email claiming that you’ve won the Nigerian lottery. The email is usually written in terrible English and is sent from an unknown or suspicious email address. The email will ask you to send money or personal information to claim your prize, but it’s all a scam.

14.1 How to spot this scam?

• The email is written in poor English
• The email is unsolicited or from an unfamiliar email address
• You are asked to provide personal information or send money to claim your prize

Always be cautious of unsolicited emails claiming you’ve won the lottery and never provide your personal information or send money to strangers.

15. “You’re the lucky winner of a new car!”

Scammers may inform people they have won a brand new car or another expensive prize. However, the recipient is required to provide personal information or pay a fee to receive the prize. It’s important to remember that if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

15.1 How to spot this scam?

• The offer is unsolicited or from an unfamiliar company
• You are asked to provide personal information or pay a fee to receive the prize
• The offer seems too good to be true

Always be cautious of unsolicited emails offering cars or expensive prizes, and never provide your personal information or pay a fee to receive your prize.

16. “Your account has been compromised – click here to reset your