Real Life Stories 

"I was in my final year of high school, trying to build my resume for uni and future jobs. When I came across an Instagram ad offering a remote graphic design internship for students, I was beyond excited. The ad looked professional — clean branding, great testimonials, and they even had a LinkedIn page. 

I applied through their website, and within two days, I got an acceptance email. They said I’d be working with real clients, learning industry software, and building a portfolio. The only catch? I had to pay $75 to access their "training portal," which they said was refundable after the first week. I felt a bit uneasy, but I didn’t want to lose the opportunity, so I paid. 

After that, everything changed. I received a few generic videos and PDFs — nothing that actually taught me anything new. Then the emails slowed down. When I followed up, I got no response. I tried calling the number on the website — disconnected. Eventually, I realised: the internship was fake. The website, the testimonials, even the company name — all part of the scam. 

I was devastated. I had told my parents, my friends — even added it to my LinkedIn. I felt embarrassed and stupid. But now I know: if a job or internship asks you to pay, it’s not legit. Real companies don’t make you pay to work. Since then, I’ve learned how to verify companies, check for reviews, and trust my gut when something feels off. "

"I had just hit 4K followers on TikTok and started getting more likes and DMs. One day, I got a message from a jewelry brand saying they loved my style and wanted to make me a brand ambassador. They said they’d send me free products and pay me commission if people bought through my discount code. 

It sounded like a dream. I told my friends, posted about it, and started picturing myself growing as a content creator. All they needed from me was to "cover shipping" — just $19.95. They sent me a link to a site that looked pretty legit. I paid. 

A few days passed. Then weeks. No tracking number. No reply. No posts from them. When I checked again, the brand had changed its username. I searched TikTok and found videos from other creators — all of us had fallen for the same scam. 

Turns out, the entire brand was fake. No real products, just a mass scam targeting small creators. I felt used, embarrassed, and honestly kind of heartbroken. I had trusted them because it felt exciting. 

Now, I know: if a brand wants you to promote them, they shouldn’t charge you first. And I always double-check their website, read reviews, and search for “[brand name] scam” before saying yes."

"This one happened fast. I ordered sneakers from an online store and accidentally got charged twice. I was freaking out — it was over $200 gone from my account. I tweeted at the brand asking for help, tagging their customer service. 

A few minutes later, I got a DM from an account that looked exactly like theirs — same logo, same bio, only a tiny difference in the handle I didn’t notice. The person was super helpful and said they could speed up the refund process if I verified my details and paid a $50 refundable processing fee. 

I was desperate. I paid them via bank transfer. They told me to wait 24 hours. But after that, nothing. I checked the real brand account — they replied to my original tweet saying “We don’t DM customers” and “Beware of fake accounts.” 

I felt sick. I’d been tricked in such a clever way. It wasn’t just about the money — it was how real it all looked. Their grammar, their logo, even the link they sent looked official. 

That moment changed everything. Now I’m way more careful. I don’t trust random DMs, especially those that ask for money. I’ve also set my accounts to private and check usernames properly. These scammers are slick — but I’ve learned to be smarter. "

"Crypto was all over TikTok, and everyone made it seem like the easiest way to make money. I started watching videos on trading and thought, "Why not me?" I followed this guy who seemed super successful — daily profits, screenshots, and even photos with celebrities. 

One day he posted a story: “DM me to join my mentorship. I’ll teach you everything — beginners welcome.” I DMed him, and he replied right away. He said I could join his private Telegram group for $300 and would get daily trading signals and 1-on-1 help. 

I didn’t want to miss out, so I paid him through PayPal — using the Friends & Family option, because he said it would be 'faster'. After that, he thanked me and said I’d be added to the group shortly. 

And then… nothing. An hour passed. Then a day. He stopped replying. The Telegram invite never came. I checked his account again — blocked. When I tried to report it, PayPal wouldn’t refund me because I sent the money as a 'gift.' 

It hit hard. I had saved up that money, hoping to make something of it. I realised I didn’t just lose $300 — I’d been emotionally manipulated by someone who knew exactly how to gain my trust. 

Now, I tell everyone: don’t trust financial ‘gurus’ online — especially if they ask you to pay upfront. Real mentors don’t ask for cash in your DMs. And never use Friends & Family for someone you don’t actually know."