Learn how to recognize intimidating messages, blackmail attempts, and advance-payment scams, and what to do if you're targeted.
- Scammers post fake ads to collect phone numbers, then send intimidating messages or threats of violence
- Never respond to these messages and never make a payment
- Collect evidence and report the incident to the relevant authorities right away
- Blackmail and advance-payment scams follow similar patterns and require the same caution.
How Fake "Hitman" Threats Work
Some scammers post fake ads with the sole purpose of obtaining the phone numbers of people who contact them. After collecting this data, they reach out via WhatsApp or other messaging services and send intimidating messages in which they:
- Pretend to be "hitmen" or contract criminals.
- Threaten to send violent people to your home or a family member's home.
- Demand payment to avoid alleged attacks or retaliation.
- Send graphic images or photos of weapons to instill fear and pressure you into paying.
These messages constitute a serious crime and are part of an extortion attempt.
What to Do If You Receive Such a Message
If you receive intimidating messages or threats from strangers via WhatsApp or other channels, follow these steps:
- Do not respond to the messages and do not make any payment.
- Do not share personal data, photos, or other information with the scammer.
- Collect and keep all available evidence: the phone number the message came from, screenshots of the conversation, any images or content you received, and the link to the ad, if there is one.
- Immediately file a report with the relevant authorities, such as the Police.
- Also contact our support team and send all the evidence you've collected.
This information is essential to identify those responsible, block the ads involved, and put security countermeasures in place.
How to Respond in Case of Blackmail
Blackmail is a criminal practice that involves threatening a person to obtain money or other benefits. The most common blackmail cases involve:
- Fake lawyers who threaten imaginary legal action and demand payment.
- Advertisers who threaten to publish your personal data or private photos online unless they receive money.
If you're facing blackmail, do not accept any payment requests. File a report with the authorities right away, and send us a report with all the evidence attached, including the phone number, ad link, and chat screenshots.
How to Recognize an Advance-Payment Scam
Another common type of financial fraud involves requests for advance payment for services that will never be provided. Typically, the scammer:
- Contacts the victim via WhatsApp after a response to an ad.
- Requests an advance payment for a service or appointment.
- Blocks the victim and disappears once the money is received.
If you encounter an advance-payment scam, don't send money before verifying the authenticity of the ad. If you've already paid, collect evidence and send us an immediate report, and file a report with the Police.
Common Issues:
❯ You received a threatening message from someone claiming to be a hitman → Don't respond, don't pay, and report the incident to the relevant authorities right away.
❯ Someone is blackmailing you by threatening to publish personal data → Don't accept any payment requests and send us a report with all the evidence.
❯ You paid in advance for a service and the advertiser disappeared → Collect evidence, file a report with the Police, and let us know right away.