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Sending money internationally has never been easier, but as digital payments become more popular, so do scams targeting unsuspecting senders. Fraudsters use various tactics to deceive people into transferring money, often pretending to be banks, employers, or even loved ones in distress.<\/p>
To help you stay protected, we’ve outlined some of the most common and most recent money transfer scams happening around the world and how you can avoid them.<\/p>
North America: Phishing Emails & Emergency Scams<\/h2>
On the rise in North America, phishing scams involve fake emails and texts pretending to be from your bank or a trusted company, urging you to take urgent action. These messages often contain links to fake websites designed to steal your login details.<\/p>
Another common scam is the emergency scam, where fraudsters pose as a relative or friend in distress, claiming they need immediate financial help. They might say they’ve been in an accident, lost their wallet or need urgent bail money.<\/p>
Tip:<\/strong> Always verify the sender’s identity before transferring money. Contact your bank directly if you receive an email or message about an account issue.<\/i><\/p>
South America: Money Laundering & Recruitment Scams<\/h2>
Fraudsters in South America often lure victims with \"job opportunities\" that involve handling money transfers. They ask individuals to send or receive money on behalf of others — without realising they are laundering stolen funds.<\/p>
How to stay safe: Never agree to move money for someone you don’t know. If a job sounds too good to be true, it probably is.<\/p>
Europe: Overpayment & Fake Job Scams<\/h2>
In overpayment scams, scammers send money to victims, then claim they \"accidentally\" sent too much and request a partial refund. But after the victim sends money back, the original transaction is reversed, leaving them out of pocket.<\/p>
Another common scheme in Europe is the fake job scam, where fraudsters post fake job listings that require applicants to pay a \"training fee\" or “visa processing charge.”<\/p>
Tip:<\/strong> Legitimate employers never ask for money upfront. Avoid sending refunds for overpayments — wait for the funds to fully clear before taking action.<\/i><\/p>
Africa: Lottery Scams & Advance-Fee Fraud<\/h2>
In Nigeria and other parts of Africa, lottery scams and advance-fee fraud remain common. Scammers claim you’ve won a big prize but need to pay a \"processing fee\" to receive it. Similarly, some fraudsters pretend to be officials promising inheritance payouts — if you just cover some minor costs first.<\/p>
Tip: <\/strong>If you didn’t enter a lottery, you didn’t win. Never pay upfront fees for winnings or unexpected “inheritances.”<\/i><\/p>
Asia: Investment Fraud & Crypto Scams<\/h2>
Scammers in Asia frequently target victims with fake investment opportunities. Promising \"guaranteed high returns\", fraudsters often lure people into Ponzi schemes or fraudulent cryptocurrency platforms, stealing funds once deposits are made.<\/p>
Tip:<\/strong> Always research investment platforms before sending money. If returns sound too good to be true, they probably are.<\/i><\/p>
Australia: Fake Charity & Donation Scams<\/h2>
Fake charity scams are particularly common in Australia, especially after natural disasters. Scammers pose as aid organisations, soliciting donations that never reach the intended cause. Tip: Only donate through verified charities. Check official websites before sending money.<\/p>
How to protect yourself from money transfer scams<\/h2>
No matter where you are in the world, these scams can strike when you least expect them. Here are some golden rules to keep your money safe:<\/p>
Only send money to people you know and trust.<\/li>
Be cautious of urgent or emotional requests. Scammers create a sense of panic to make you act fast.<\/li>
Verify sources before making a payment. Contact your bank, employer or the organisation directly.<\/li>
Need help deciding whether to send money abroad with Paysend? Then read on! We’ve put together a few of the most common FAQs to help you decide whether we’re the right money transfer service for you…
How much does it cost to send money with Paysend?
It costs just £1 or €1.5 to send money abroad with Paysend, no matter how much you want to transfer. This means that if you want to send £50 or £500 from the UK to India, it will cost you only 1 GBP either way.
Is Paysend safe?
Keeping you and your money safe is our top priority, and we do everything we can to keep your card details, personal information and transaction history as safe as possible. We have a dedicated in-house security team who work hard to keep all transactions safe.
Paysend uses industry-wide 3D-Secure protection, our own anti-fraud measures, and card verification technology to keep you safe at all times.
When will my money arrive?
Paysend money transfers are fast. We send your money to your recipient’s bank immediately, and 90% of our transfers arrive in 15 seconds or less.
Some transfers can take up to 3 days, but that’s because your recipient’s bank might not be as fast as us at processing payments!
Where can I send my money?
With Paysend, you can send money to 100+ countries worldwide. You can check out our receiving countries on our homepage.
Is Paysend trustworthy?
Paysend is trusted by more than 3.3 million people globally to deliver their money to their loved ones abroad. We have 20,000 reviews on Trustpilot, with 89% of customers giving us 5 stars. You can check out what some of our customers have said about us here.
How can I sign up with Paysend?
Getting started with Paysend is really easy. It takes just minutes to sign up, and you’ll have to give us a few details like your full name, phone number, address, date of birth and valid email address.
You can get started by downloading the Paysend app on the App Store or Google Play and following the in-app instructions, or by clicking the ‘Sign Up’ button on our homepage.
How do I send money with Paysend?
After you’ve completed your registration, simply head to the Paysend app or web platform, log into your account and press ‘Send money’.
You will then be able to enter payment details for yourself and your recipient, and send money abroad.
I need some help. What should I do?
For more FAQs and to speak to one of our friendly Support team, head to our Help Centre.