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Online Scams
paydesk has 18 reporters who cover Online Scams. Our journalists are already on location, all over the world, and ready to work at a moment's notice. Our top correspondents who cover Online Scams are Antoni Belchi and Seth Bokpe. Use our journalist directory to find an Online Scams member to work for you.
Journalists Who Cover Online Scams
Antoni Belchi
Antoni Belchi is a journalist based in Miami, United States of America. He moved from Barcelona to United States in 2010. As a graduate in journalism with over 12 years of experience at top tier international media outlets such as The Washington Post, EFE, AFP, France 24, CNN, Voice of America, etc ...
English
French
Spanish
Video Package (Web / Broadcast)
Vox Pop
News Gathering
+4
Business
Politics
Natural Disasters
+7
Jobs Completed 2
Usually Responds Within a few minutes
Related Articles
How to protect yourself from online scams at the start of the holiday season?
As the holiday shopping season begins, there is a rise in online scams and package thefts, affecting consumers in the United States and globally. Experts like Gilberto Cabrera from AARP and Alex Neuman highlight the increased risk due to sophisticated scammers and consumer urgency. They advise on measures to prevent fraud, such as avoiding unknown calls, not clicking suspicious links, and shopping on trusted websites. Package theft is also a concern, with recommendations to ensure someone is home for deliveries. Technological advances, including AI, complicate fraud detection, urging consumers to remain skeptical of unsolicited communications.
Balanced
Factuality Scale
Seth Bokpe
Seth Bokpe is an investigative journalist focusing on anti-corruption, environmental and health environmental reporting. A multiple award-winning journalist, he is a versatile writer with eye for details. He is passionate about Environmental, Health and Anti-Corruption reporting. He Fact-checks ...
English
Video Package (Web / Broadcast)
Audio package (Radio / Podcast)
Vox Pop
+9
Politics
Science & Environment
Health & Fitness
+5
Related Articles
Stay Vigilant: Here’s how cybercriminals compromise your safety
The article discusses various phishing techniques used by cybercriminals, including email phishing, spear phishing, vishing, smishing, pharming, pop-up phishing, and evil twin phishing. It highlights the dangers of these scams and how they can lead to identity theft and financial loss. Cyber experts have identified these methods as common ways attackers compromise online safety. Fact-Check Ghana advises the public to verify sources, check URLs, avoid providing personal information, look for typos, search for news or alerts, use official channels, install security software, and report suspicious messages to the Cyber Security Authority to enhance their protection against such threats.
Factual
Factuality Scale
Mattha Busby
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English
Feature Stories
Corporate Content
Research
+3
Politics
Current Affairs
Science & Environment
+10
Related Articles
Visiting America? Make Sure You Don't Fall Victim to This Scam
The article highlights the prevalence of online scams targeting travelers applying for ESTA and other official documents. It discusses a major UK case where fraudsters were sentenced for scamming consumers out of millions by operating copycat government websites. The piece criticizes Google for allowing such fraudulent ads to appear in search results and explains how urgency and lack of internet savviness contribute to people falling for these scams. Key figures involved in the prosecution and expert opinions on the psychology behind these scams are also featured.
Balanced
Factuality Scale
Călin Căciuleanu
Călin Căciuleanu is a freelance journalist whose long-form work has most recently appeared in Panorama.ro and PressOne. He has over three years experience in covering labour and the economy for Ziare.com and writing financial crime-oriented news articles and features for the UK-based Financial ...
English
Romanian
Spanish
Interview (Video / Broadcast)
Vox Pop
News Gathering
+7
Business
Finance
Politics
+7
Usually Responds Within a few days
Related Articles
Investment courses that promise to make you a millionaire through a magic formula. How 'stock betting' companies operate, whose owners film themselves in luxury planes for TikTok
The article investigates the operations of companies like Trading Busters and Funding Dynasty, which promise significant financial returns through investment courses and trading schemes. These companies, led by figures such as George Statie, are criticized for their aggressive marketing tactics and lack of proper authorization from financial regulatory bodies like the Autoritatea de Supraveghere Financiară and the European Securities and Markets Authority. The schemes often target young men with promises of high returns, but experts warn of the high risks and potential for financial loss, especially with products like CFDs. The article highlights the lack of transparency and potential for fraud, urging caution among potential investors.
Interpretive
Factuality Scale
Sebastián Calderón
Sebastián Calderón is a journalist based in Bogotá, Colombia. It's main expertise is in the automotive and aviation sector. Recognized motorsport journalist with more than 8 years of experience. Founder & editor of revistacarros.com.co and aviones.net.co
English
Spanish
Audio package (Radio / Podcast)
Interview (Video / Broadcast)
Feature Stories
+5
Technology
Science & Environment
Sports
+2
Related Articles
Are The Free Website Guys A Scam?
The article discusses the legitimacy of 'The Free Website Guys,' a company that reaches out via LinkedIn DMs. Despite numerous responses on Reddit, there is no factual information confirming whether the company is a scam. The text highlights the lack of concrete answers and the prevalence of similar inquiries.
Balanced
Factuality Scale
Ellen Chang
Ellen Chang, having pursued further studies in Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern and polished interpreting and translating skills at GITIS, NTNU, Taiwan, now works as an interpreter/ fixer/ translator/ copywriter in Taipei. Mom of three, loves jogging. 5+ years in digital media and 10+ ...
Chinese (Mandarin)
English
Content Writing
Research
Interview (Print / Radio / Podcast)
+1
Business
Finance
Politics
+10
Jobs Completed 5
Usually Responds Within an hour
Related Articles
Amazon Prime Day Shoppers: Beware of Scams While Hunting For Deals
Shoppers anticipating Amazon's Prime Day should be cautious of scams, including phishing emails and fake deals. Cyber criminals are using tactics like urgency and AI-assisted phone scams to steal personal and financial information. Experts advise verifying emails and texts directly through official websites, using credit cards instead of debit cards for better protection, and maintaining strong, unique passwords for online accounts.
Informative
Factuality Scale
Junaid Dar
I am a freelance multimedia journalist based in India. My areas of interest include Politics, Human Rights, Hate crimes, Development, Climate, and Social issues. My work has appeared in several national and international Publications including Voice Of America, TRT World, The Daily Vox, HuffPost, ...
English
Kashmiri
Urdu
Video Package (Web / Broadcast)
Audio package (Radio / Podcast)
Interview (Video / Broadcast)
+16
Politics
Technology
Science & Environment
+19
Usually Responds Within a few days
Related Articles
Online Fraud: 73-year-old man falls prey to online scammers acting as FedEx representatives and crime branch officials
A 73-year-old man in New Delhi was defrauded of approximately 8 lakh rupees by online scammers posing as FedEx representatives and Mumbai Police Crime Branch officials. The scammers deceived the victim by claiming his package contained illegal substances and coerced him into revealing his financial details. Despite assurances of fund verification, the victim's accounts were not restored, prompting him to seek help from the central Delhi cyber cell. This incident highlights a growing trend of similar fraud cases this year, with law enforcement facing challenges in resolving them.
Informative
Factuality Scale
Silvia Giannelli
Italian-based freelance journalist, I cover mainly environmental stories and human rights issue in Italian, English and Spanish. I primarily do print and photography but I also have experience in radio journalism. I worked for Al Jazeera English, La Stampa, Haaretz, IPS News, La Nación (Costa Rica) ...
English
Italian
Spanish
News Gathering
Feature Stories
Content Writing
+9
Fact Checking
Related Articles
How to Avoid Online Scams: The Police Guide
The Italian police's cyber security centers have released a guide to safe online shopping ahead of Christmas, offering practical advice to avoid scams. The guide highlights the importance of using updated software and browsers, preferring certified or official sites, verifying site references, reading user reviews, using official store apps, and employing rechargeable credit cards. It also warns against phishing and smishing scams and advises caution with overly attractive offers. The guide aims to enhance public awareness and safety in online transactions.
Informative
Factuality Scale
Dave Grunebaum
I'm a five-time Emmy nominated journalist with extensive experience in television, radio and multimedia news. I'm adept at live breaking news and packaged stories. My reports have been featured by Deutsche Welle, Reuters Broadcast, CBC, BBC, NPR, VOA and Time.com. I have my own equipment and can ...
English
Video Package (Web / Broadcast)
Audio package (Radio / Podcast)
Interview (Video / Broadcast)
+12
Business
Politics
Current Affairs
+6
Jobs Completed 4
Usually Responds Within a few hours
Related Articles
Philippine Lawmakers Target Online Casino Operators in Bid to Crack Down on Human Trafficking
Philippine lawmakers are targeting offshore gaming operators (POGOs) and their regulators to combat the country's growing network of cryptocurrency scams and human trafficking. A recent Senate inquiry highlighted a raid that rescued over a thousand trafficking victims from an accredited POGO site. Senators criticized the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) for corruption and inadequate regulation. Senator Risa Hontiveros called for a ban on POGOs to prevent further scams and trafficking. PAGCOR admitted to regulatory issues and canceled the accreditation of the raided site.
Interpretive
Factuality Scale
Center-Left
Political View
Marta Kasztelan
Marta is a freelance journalist and documentary filmmaker covering Southeast Asia and Eastern Europe. She has been based in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, since 2012 but her work often takes her to neighbouring countries and to Poland, where she was born and lived until 2001. Her work has been published ...
English
French
German
+1
Video Package (Web / Broadcast)
Audio package (Radio / Podcast)
Interview (Video / Broadcast)
+10
Business
Finance
Politics
+13
Usually Responds Within a day
Related Articles
Online fraud: how Chinese nationals forced to run internet scams in Cambodia earn millions for their captors, sometimes paying with their lives
The article details the harrowing experiences of Chinese nationals, including teenagers, who were trafficked to Cambodia and forced into cyber slavery, perpetuating online scams targeting Chinese nationals. Guo Ying, a pseudonym for a young woman, was lured with the promise of a typing job and ended up imprisoned in a casino complex in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, where she was coerced into scamming users on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok. Despite earning more than she did in China, her salary was often docked for minor infractions. After a failed suicide attempt, Guo managed to escape and contact a Chinese volunteer group aiding trafficking victims. The article also discusses the broader context of the online scamming industry in Sihanoukville, which has grown alongside the city's transformation into a hub for Chinese investment and gambling. It highlights the challenges faced by victims and the efforts of volunteers and organizations to help them, amidst a backdrop of corruption and weak law enforcement in Cambodia.
Indrabati Lahiri
I am a finance journalist and editor, with almost 4 years' experience across full-time and freelance roles, based in London, United Kingdom. I've written about equitiies, commodities, finance, investing and emerging markets extensively. Currently, I'm a business reporter at Euronews. I've ...
Bengali
English
French
+1
News Gathering
Feature Stories
Content Writing
+4
Business
Finance
Current Affairs
+7
Jobs Completed 98
Job Success Rate 98%
Usually Responds Within a few hours
Related Articles
Black Friday Scams: How to Avoid Them?
Black Friday scams have surged, particularly in online commerce, due to accessible tools on the dark web and sophisticated techniques. Consumers, especially millennials and Gen Z, are more vulnerable to fraud, often through fake websites and emails. Companies like Temu and Shein are implicated in false discount practices. Experts advise consumers to be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true, verify URLs, and use credit cards for protection. The rise of AI has made scams more convincing, and the trend towards sustainable products has been exploited by fraudsters. Planning and critical evaluation of deals are recommended to avoid scams and overspending.
Balanced
Factuality Scale
Jason Law
Jason Law is a UK born English teacher and journalist currently based in Hanoi, Vietnam. Writing for The Vietnam Times, a news site catered towards expats, he enjoys writing about a variety of topics including but not limited to travel, culture, art, food, and social issues. Each article ...
English
Journalism
Politics
Current Affairs
Technology
+12
Related Articles
‘Reformed’ Nigerian scammer warns about 3 common Black Friday scams
Consumer advocates warn that online scams increase during Black Friday, with Massachusetts residents losing over $226 million to internet scams in 2022. Christopher Maxwell, a reformed scammer from Nigeria, collaborates with Social Catfish to educate consumers on avoiding scams. Key scams include fake stores, bogus gift cards, and phony shipping notifications. Social Catfish advises verifying URLs, performing reverse searches, and using official tracking websites to protect against scams.
Informative
Factuality Scale
Jean-Marc Manach
jean-marc manach is a french investigative & OSINT (data)journalist based in Paris, France, working on surveillance, privacy and intelligence issues (among other things) since the late 90s. He has written numerous information security manuals explaining how to protect ones sources and ...
English
French
Research
Investigative Journalism
Fact Checking
Technology
Investigative Reporting
Fact Checking
Usually Responds Within a few days
Related Articles
Online Scams: More Victims Among 30-49 Year Olds, Higher Losses Among Seniors
The latest annual report from the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) reveals that in the United States, individuals over 60 years old suffer the highest financial losses from online scams, while those aged 30 to 49 are the most frequently reported victims. In 2022, IC3 received 800,944 complaints, a 5% decrease from 2021, but the associated potential losses surged by 48% to $10.2 billion. Phishing remains the leading cause of complaints, followed by personal data breaches and non-payment or non-delivery issues. Investment frauds, particularly involving cryptocurrencies, have seen a significant rise, with losses increasing by 183% to $2.57 billion. The report also highlights the importance of multi-factor authentication and vigilance against fraudulent activities, especially targeting seniors through fake call centers and tech support scams.
Informative
Factuality Scale
Umesh Kumar Ray
I am freelance journalist based in Patna, India. I write in English. I have so far written for Forbes India, The Wire, Firstpost, M3 India. Newslaundry and others. I can also work as a fixer for correspondents who want to do stories in Bihar.
English
Hindi
Feature Stories
Interview (Print / Radio / Podcast)
Fixing
+1
Politics
Current Affairs
Natural Disasters
+1
Jobs Completed 1
Usually Responds Within a few minutes
Related Articles
Bihar's 'Farmville': How Locals Lost A Fortune To An Online Ponzi Game
In February 2022, a rumor about a man winning 20 lakh rupees through a mobile game led to a widespread scam in a village in Bihar. Villagers, mostly from the marginalized Musahar community, invested their hard-earned money in the Smile Rancher app, which promised daily returns for buying virtual animals. The app, which operated like a pyramid scheme, eventually became inaccessible, causing significant financial losses. Bhishma Pratap, a local youth, is accused of spreading the rumor and facilitating the scam. The scam extended beyond Bihar to Assam, affecting many. Despite the losses, no police complaints have been registered. The implicated company, Sewing SKY India Pvt Limited, has not responded to inquiries.
Balanced
Factuality Scale
Ken Sweeney
Ken Sweeney is a freelance journalist based in Dublin, Ireland. Ken is a founding editor of Europa United which is an online magazine featuring opinion and analysis on current affairs and political issues with regards to Europe and the European institutions One of Ken's passions is classic ...
English
Interview (Video / Broadcast)
Vox Pop
Feature Stories
+6
Business
Politics
Current Affairs
+9
Related Articles
Becky Holmes
Becky Holmes, an influencer and author, works to expose online romance fraudsters who use fake relationships to extort money. Through social media, she raises awareness by sharing her interactions with these scammers. In a podcast interview, Becky discusses her campaign, the challenges she faces, the role of police in handling such fraud, and her forthcoming book 'Keanu Reeves Is NOT In Love With You'. The conversation also covers the evolution of scams with modern technology and advice for avoiding them.
Balanced
Factuality Scale
Sarah Thust
Sarah Thust studied Journalism and Psychology in Leipzig, Germany. Since her studies she works as freelance journalist within a broad range of media and subjects. Sarah spent three years in Cambodia as a freelance reporter. She worked for German newspapers & radio stations, English newspapers & ...
Arabic
English
French
+2
Audio package (Radio / Podcast)
Interview (Video / Broadcast)
News Gathering
+7
Business
Current Affairs
Technology
+11
Related Articles
No Playhouse to Win: How to Recognize that this Facebook Page is Untrustworthy
A Facebook page is falsely advertising a playhouse giveaway to lure users into sharing, commenting, and following the page. This is identified as a scam, similar to previous fraudulent giveaways involving e-bikes and tiny houses. The page, named 'Fantastische Produkte,' lacks transparency and legal compliance, such as providing an imprint and clear terms of participation. The article highlights the legal requirements for legitimate giveaways and warns users to be cautious of newly created pages with minimal content. The consumer protection agency of North Rhine-Westphalia and fact-checking organizations like CORRECTIV and Mimikama have reported on these deceptive practices.
Informative
Factuality Scale
Lancelot Tucker
Lancelot Tucker is a journalist based in Spanish Town, Jamaica. He loves to write about all things. He enjoys reading, researching, writing, and browsing the internet in his free time.
Irish
Feature Stories
Content Writing
Research
+2
Business
Finance
Science & Environment
+9
Related Articles
Five Signs Your Online Investment is a Scam
Online investment scams have evolved significantly, with the unregulated binary options industry being particularly dangerous. These scams are sophisticated, often involving elaborate trading platforms that appear legitimate. Financial fraud expert Austin Smith highlights five red flags to watch for: suspicious locations, aggressive closing tactics, unsolicited contact from multiple companies, unrealistic earnings promises, and the importance of doing thorough research. The article emphasizes the need for caution and skepticism when dealing with online traders.
Informative
Factuality Scale
Steven Winkelman
Steven Winkelman is a journalist.
Related Articles
How to avoid getting scammed on Zelle
Scams are prevalent in the online world, particularly with payment apps like Zelle. Zelle, supported by major U.S. banks, offers a secure way to send and receive money but is not immune to fraud. The article provides tips to avoid Zelle scams, such as sticking to transactions with friends and family, being cautious of urgent requests, setting up two-factor authentication, and considering alternative apps like Venmo. It also outlines common scams like phishing, fake invoices, and Facebook Marketplace fraud. If scammed, users should report the incident to their bank and the FBI. Despite the risks, being vigilant can help users stay safe.
Balanced
Factuality Scale
Left
Political View