Wrong number text scam

A friendly 'oops, wrong person' text that slowly becomes an investment pitch.

How it works

A stranger texts as if they misdialed — 'Hi Anna, are we still on for tennis Sunday?' When you say wrong number, they apologize charmingly and keep chatting. Days or weeks of warm conversation build trust before they casually mention how well their crypto or gold trading is going and offer to show you. The trading platform they send you to is fake, and every dollar you 'invest' goes to them. This is one of the main doors into pig butchering.

Red flags

An attractive stranger who wants to keep talking after the 'mistake'
They quickly move the chat to WhatsApp or Telegram
Conversation always drifts to money, crypto, or 'opportunities'
They have a platform or mentor they want to introduce you to

Real-world example

"So sorry, I thought this was my colleague Sarah! You seem kind though — where are you from? I live in Singapore and trade gold futures."

What to do

01Don't keep chatting — friendly wrong-number texts from strangers are almost never mistakes.
02Never invest through a platform someone from a text recommends.
03Block and report the number as junk.
04If you already invested, contact your bank immediately and report to the FTC and FBI IC3.