MODULE 17 — Fraud, Money Safety & Financial Exploitation
From fake investments to deepfake voices – this mega module is your anti-scam armour.
💷 Why Money Safety Matters Online
Fraudsters don’t just target “rich people” or “stupid people”. They target busy, tired, kind and trusting people – which is nearly everyone at some point.
In this module you will:
- Spot fake investments & crypto fraud
- Recognise marketplace & charity scams
- Understand AI scams and deepfake voices
- Protect your cards, accounts & identity
- Defend teens, elders, work & family finances
Think of this as self-defence for your bank account. 🛡️🏦
🔍 The Big Four: How People Lose Money Online
1. Fake investments
“Risk-free returns”, “guaranteed profits”, “double your money fast”.
2. Crypto fraud
New coins, secret “insider” tips, pump-and-dump schemes.
3. Online marketplace scams
Fake buyers, fake sellers, fake payment proofs.
4. Fake charity & donation scams
Using disasters, illness or guilt to push fast payments.
Tap to see the golden rule
If someone is pushing you to move money quickly, in an unusual way, to somewhere you weren’t expecting…
Pause. Verify. Speak to someone you trust. Real opportunities survive double-checking. Scams do not.
🧪 Scam Detector Simulator
Pick the situation that looks most like something you’ve seen. We’ll show the scam pattern and the safest move.
Choose a situation above to see how a fraudster would work it – and how to shut it down.
🧨 Fake Investments & Crypto Danger Meter
Tap the risk factors you notice in an offer. Watch the danger level rise.
Risk Factors:
“Guaranteed” or “risk-free” returns
Pressure to invest today
Unknown or unregulated company
No clear paperwork or terms
Asked to pay in crypto only
Influencer pushing the scheme for “limited time”
You don’t understand how it makes money
Danger level: 0% – Looks calm, but always check independently.
Money Safety Law: If you don’t understand how the investment makes money, you’re not investing – you’re gambling into someone else’s pocket.
🛒 Marketplace Scam Game
We’ll show you a buyer or seller message. Decide if it’s Safe or Shady.
🎗️ Fake Charity & “Good Cause” Scams
Scammers love crises. The more emotional the story, the easier it is to push you past logic.
Tap to see common charity scam tricks
- Using real disasters but fake fundraising pages.
- Copying logos of well-known charities but changing the link.
- Pressure to donate right now via bank transfer or gift cards.
- No official receipt, charity registration or paper trail.
Safer charity checklist:
- Go to the charity’s official website yourself – don’t click donation links in DMs/texts.
- Check their registered status before giving large amounts.
- Be cautious of brand-new pages with no history or transparency.
📂 Real-Style Case Studies
These are realistic examples based on common fraud patterns many people fall for.
What happened:
Why it worked on them:
How it could have been prevented:
🤖 Deepfake & AI Scam Awareness
Scammers now use AI voices and deepfake videos to sound like your bank, your boss, or even your family.
AI Voice Scam – “It sounds exactly like my child!”
Scammers can clone a voice from a few seconds of audio online. They mix genuine details (school, job, family names) with fake emergencies to rush you into sending money.
Deepfake Video – “The celebrity said to invest!”
Videos of famous people endorsing crypto or schemes may be completely AI-generated. Check: is this on their official page? Is it reported by real news? If not, assume it’s fake.
AI Chat – “Bank chatbot” that isn’t real
Fake support chatbots can copy the look of real sites. Always type the bank’s official URL yourself, and never follow links from messages to access accounts.
Deepfake defence: Don’t trust sound or visuals alone. Verify by calling a known number, video-calling someone you know, or checking official channels you find yourself.
💳 Credit Card Fraud Simulator
Look at this mini bank statement. Which transaction is likely the test charge from a scammer checking if your card works?
• Supermarket – £64.30Normal
• Fuel Station – £40.00Normal
• “ONLINE CHECK” – £0.97❓
• Streaming Service – £8.99Normal
Why this matters: Many fraudsters test a stolen card with a tiny transaction first. If it goes through and nobody notices, they then attempt bigger purchases.
🏦 Bank vs Scammer – Who Sounds Real?
Compare the real bank style with typical scammer language.
Real Bank Usually:
- Asks you to contact them via official numbers.
- Warns you never to share codes or passwords.
- Doesn’t rush you to move money.
- Encourages you to hang up and call back if unsure.
Scammer Usually:
- Creates fear or panic: “Your money will be gone!”
- Demands secrecy: “Don’t tell anyone, not even staff.”
- Pushes you to move money to a “safe account”.
- Insists you stay on the line and act now.
Rule: Any “bank” that tells you to ignore official numbers and move money elsewhere is almost certainly a scam.
🎭 Impersonation Scam Simulator
Pick the type of message you receive. We’ll show the script most scammers use – and how to break it.
Choose a scam type above to see how they try to rush, confuse and scare you.
📨 Spot the Fake Message Gallery
Tap each message to reveal the red flags.
From: HMRC Refund Centre
Subject: URGENT TAX REFUND
You are owed £265.21.
Claim now: http://hmrc-refund-secure-payments.co.uk
Do this within 24 hours or your refund will be cancelled.
Red flags: Strange URL, time pressure, refund via link instead of official gov site.
RoyalMail: We tried to deliver your parcel.
Pay £1.30 to redeliver:
http://royalmail-track-update.com
Red flags: Fee to redeliver, non-official URL, unexpected parcel.
Hi Mum it’s me.
I dropped my phone in water and I’m using a friend’s.
Can you urgently pay this bill for me?
I’ll explain later.
Sort code: 00-11-22
Account: 12345678
Red flags: New number, emotional panic, direct bank details, no verification.
Safe habit: Instead of clicking links, go to the official website or app yourself and log in the normal way.
🏢 Workplace & Business Fraud
Fraudsters also target companies, charities and clubs – not just individuals.
Invoice fraud
Fake invoices that look like real suppliers. They count on busy staff paying without checking.
Fake invoices that look like real suppliers. They count on busy staff paying without checking.
CEO / Manager impersonation
Emails or messages pretending to be senior staff asking for urgent payments or gift cards.
Emails or messages pretending to be senior staff asking for urgent payments or gift cards.
Supplier bank detail changes
Scammers email “new bank details” so future payments go to them instead.
Scammers email “new bank details” so future payments go to them instead.
Payroll & HR scams
Fake forms asking staff to update bank details or share payslip logins.
Fake forms asking staff to update bank details or share payslip logins.
Workplace defence: Any change to payment details should be verified via a trusted phone number or face-to-face, not just email.
🧱 Identity Theft Wall
What scammers can do with different pieces of your information – and how to block them.
Your email address
Risk: Password reset attacks, phishing, account takeover.
Defence: Strong unique password + 2FA; don’t reuse passwords.
Risk: Password reset attacks, phishing, account takeover.
Defence: Strong unique password + 2FA; don’t reuse passwords.
Your phone number
Risk: SIM swap, WhatsApp hijack, fake “verification” calls.
Defence: PIN on SIM, careful with sharing number, extra security with your provider.
Risk: SIM swap, WhatsApp hijack, fake “verification” calls.
Defence: PIN on SIM, careful with sharing number, extra security with your provider.
Your address
Risk: Fake credit, deliveries, identity docs sent and stolen.
Defence: Shred documents, update addresses promptly, watch your post.
Risk: Fake credit, deliveries, identity docs sent and stolen.
Defence: Shred documents, update addresses promptly, watch your post.
Full name + DOB
Risk: Identity checks passed, dodgy accounts opened in your name.
Defence: Limit public sharing, consider credit checks, lock your credit file if needed.
Risk: Identity checks passed, dodgy accounts opened in your name.
Defence: Limit public sharing, consider credit checks, lock your credit file if needed.
🚪 Fraud Escape Room Mini-Game
You have £1,000 in your account. 3 scammers will try to take it. Choose the safer option at each step.
🧾 Scam Keyword Pattern Detector
Tap the phrases you see in scam messages all the time. Notice the pattern.
“Urgent”
“Act now”
“Do not tell anyone”
“Safe account”
“Limited time offer”
“Verify your account”
“Click this link”
“Pay with gift cards”
“I’m your son/daughter, new number”
“Guaranteed returns”
Tap phrases above to see how scammers repeat the same tricks again and again.
🔐 Account & Device Protection
Stopping fraud isn’t only about spotting scams – it’s also about locking your digital doors.
2FA on everything
Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) for email, banking, socials. This makes accounts much harder to steal.
Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) for email, banking, socials. This makes accounts much harder to steal.
No password reuse
If one site gets hacked, reused passwords open all your other accounts to criminals.
If one site gets hacked, reused passwords open all your other accounts to criminals.
Updates & antivirus
Keep your phone and laptop updated. Old software is easier to break into.
Keep your phone and laptop updated. Old software is easier to break into.
App permissions
Check which apps can see your contacts, messages, camera or location – remove what you don’t need.
Check which apps can see your contacts, messages, camera or location – remove what you don’t need.
🧸 Kids & Teens Money Safety Zone
Simple rules to protect younger users from losing money or getting dragged into crime.
For Kids & Teens 🎮💳
- If an adult online asks you to buy gift cards, send codes or move money – tell a real-life adult immediately.
- Never share card details, bank info, or login codes – even if they say “I’m from the game company”.
- On games or marketplaces, only trade through official game systems – not random links or “secret deals”.
- If a friend asks you to “hold money” in your bank for them, talk to a parent/guardian – this can be money muling.
Big rule: If money moves, a trusted adult should know about it.
👵 Elder Mode – Protecting Older Family Members
Many scams are aimed at older people on the phone or at the door.
- Rule 1: They never have to decide about money on the spot. They can always say “I’ll speak to my family and call you back.”
- Rule 2: Real banks, police and councils will never tell them to move money to a “safe account”.
- Rule 3: No-one should pick up bank cards, pins or cash from their home.
- Rule 4: Help them keep a list of official numbers by the phone so they can hang up and call back safely.
Sit down with elders and go through 2–3 example scam calls together. Practise them saying “No, I will call back on the official number.”
🧑🎓 Teen Money Safety Game
Three quick scenarios. Tap the safer choice.
📊 Red Flag Danger Meter
Tap the red flags you can see in a situation. The danger meter will show how risky it is.
Emotional pressure:
Fear (“You’ll lose everything!”)
Guilt (“If you cared, you’d help.”)
Fake emergencies
Payment red flags:
Gift cards or vouchers
Cryptocurrency only
Bank transfer to stranger
Secrecy & speed:
“Don’t tell anyone.”
“You must do this now.”
Danger score: 0 – looks calm, but still think before you pay.
🧠 Why Smart People Fall for Scams
Scammers hack your psychology – not your intelligence.
Authority bias
We tend to obey people who sound important (bank, police, boss). Scammers copy logos, titles and formal language to trigger this.
Urgency & scarcity
“Last chance”, “account closing”, “fine increasing” – these phrases pull you into fast decisions instead of slow thinking.
Emotional hijack
Fear for your money, family or reputation shuts down logical reasoning. Scammers aim for emotional overload before they ask for money.
Sunk cost fallacy
Once you’ve given some money or time, you feel pushed to give more to “get it back”, even when the scam is obvious.
Knowing these tricks helps you pause and say: “This feeling might be engineered – let me slow down.”
🛡️ Fraud Prevention Toolkit
These habits make you a much harder target.
Verify on another channel
If a “bank” messages you, call the number on the back of your card – not the number in the message.
If a “bank” messages you, call the number on the back of your card – not the number in the message.
Slow everything down
Scammers love speed. Say, “I don’t move money on the spot. I’ll call back.”
Scammers love speed. Say, “I don’t move money on the spot. I’ll call back.”
Never share one-time codes
Banks will never ask you to read out full passwords or security codes sent to your phone.
Banks will never ask you to read out full passwords or security codes sent to your phone.
Use protected payment methods
Avoid bank transfers or gift cards for strangers. Use secure platforms with buyer protection.
Avoid bank transfers or gift cards for strangers. Use secure platforms with buyer protection.
Search before you send
Type the company/number + “scam” into a search engine. Often, other victims have already reported it.
Type the company/number + “scam” into a search engine. Often, other victims have already reported it.
Talk to someone
Run it past a friend, family member or colleague. Fresh eyes = fresh logic.
Run it past a friend, family member or colleague. Fresh eyes = fresh logic.
🚨 Ultimate Red Flag Checklist (50 Signs)
Tap each heading to expand a category.
1. Language & Tone
- “Urgent” / “Act now” / “Last chance”.
- Overly formal or robotic language that doesn’t sound like your real bank.
- Spelling mistakes, odd grammar, strange phrasing.
- Threats of fines, jail or account closure if you don’t act immediately.
- Requests to keep the conversation secret.
2. Payment & Money
- Asked to pay with gift cards or vouchers.
- Asked to pay in cryptocurrency only.
- Bank transfer to a person you don’t know.
- Requests to move money to a “safe account”.
- Offers of guaranteed high returns.
3. Technical & Website
- Strange or misspelled web address (URL).
- No padlock/HTTPS on payment pages.
- Pop-ups claiming your device is infected with a loud alarm.
- Sites that look like a copy of a real brand but with slight differences.
- Login pages reached only via email/text links, not official apps/sites.
4. Behaviour & Pressure
- Someone rushes you and refuses to let you think or call back.
- You’re told not to speak to friends, family or staff.
- The person becomes angry or aggressive when you ask questions.
- They insist you stay on the line and don’t hang up.
- You feel panicked, guilty or bullied.
5. Personal & Identity
- Requests for full passwords or security codes.
- Requests for scans/photos of passports, driving licences or ID without clear reason.
- Someone asks to use your bank account “to hold money”.
- Unexpected credit checks, loans or letters in your name.
- Friends saying they received strange messages from “you”.
6. Investment & Crypto
- Guarantees of profits in a short time.
- Pressure to invest before a countdown ends.
- Complex jargon used to shut down questions.
- No clear explanation of what the project actually does.
- No regulation, no transparency, anonymous founders.
7. Romance, Friendship & Family
- Online partner repeatedly asking for money or “help with bills”.
- Someone you’ve never met in person wants financial help.
- “Mum/dad it’s me, I changed my number” followed by a payment request.
- They avoid video calls or meeting face-to-face.
- Stories full of drama and emergencies that only money can solve.
8. Charity & Good Causes
- Fundraisers that appear immediately after big news events.
- Charity pages with no history or clear contact details.
- Pressure to donate right now or “people will suffer”.
- Requests to donate to personal bank accounts.
- Lack of official registration details where you’d expect them.
9. Work & Business Red Flags
- Emails changing supplier bank details without proper verification.
- “CEO” asking for secret urgent payments or gift cards.
- Invoices that look slightly different to usual.
- Requests to bypass normal finance procedures.
- Staff login pages reached from random email links.
10. Gut Feeling & Intuition
- You feel rushed, confused or manipulated.
- Something feels “off”, even if you can’t explain why.
- They become annoyed when you slow down.
- You would be embarrassed to tell a friend what you are about to do.
- Your body feels tense – tight chest, knot in stomach, racing heart.
You do not need all 50 flags to say no. One or two strong red flags is enough to slow down, check and protect yourself.
🧠 Fraud & Money Safety Mega Quiz (20 Questions)
Test yourself on scams, red flags, crypto, marketplaces and money safety habits.
🏅 Module Complete – Money Safety Defender
You’ve earned the “Money Safety Defender” badge!
You’ve just trained in fake investments, crypto fraud, marketplace and charity traps, AI scams, identity theft, teen & elder protection, workplace fraud and more.
Remember:
Remember:
- Scams depend on speed, secrecy and pressure.
- Your best weapons are time, verification and a second opinion.
- Stopping for 60 seconds can save you years of stress.
You can retake this module, replay the games and quiz, or move on to the next Aware360 Pro topic.
