1. Introduction: Increasing Scam Risks for Teenagers
With the widespread use of the internet and social media, teenagers have become an indispensable part of the digital world. However, due to their lack of sufficient security awareness, teenagers have also become prime targets for many online scams. According to the latest data from 2025, the number and financial losses from scams targeting teenagers have been rising year by year. Scamming methods have evolved from simple frauds to complex, high-tech, multi-layered, and disguised schemes. Today, we will explore the top 10 most common scams targeting teenagers and provide practical tips to help both parents and teenagers build a “safety wall” against scams.
2. Types of Scams and Analysis
2.1 Social Media Scams: Impersonating Friends or Celebrities
Case Study
Zhang Xiao, a 15-year-old high school student with many followers on Instagram, received a private message from an account called “@superstar.” The message claimed to be from a famous celebrity who wanted to give Zhang Xiao a special gift but required a “processing fee” first. Zhang Xiao, excited by the opportunity, paid $300. Days later, he found that no gift arrived, and the account had disappeared.
Analysis
Social media scams often involve impersonating friends or idols to exploit teenagers’ interests and admiration for celebrities. These scams can be highly deceptive as the messages are crafted with convincing details, making them appear legitimate. To avoid falling for such scams, teenagers need to develop a strong sense of caution and understand the distinction between real and fake online content.
2.2 Online Game Scams: Fake Virtual Item Transactions
Case Study
Xiao Li, an avid player of a multiplayer online game, saw an advertisement in the game for a “VIP shop” claiming to sell powerful in-game items. Contacted by a “manager,” Xiao Li was asked to pay $50 to purchase the virtual items. However, after paying the fee, Xiao Li never received the items and found the shop was non-existent.
Analysis
Virtual item scams are popular among teenagers, especially in online gaming. Scammers impersonate game administrators to deceive players into paying high fees for non-existent virtual items. To prevent falling for such scams, teenagers should only make purchases through official channels and avoid trading with unverified “shops.”
2.3 Online Dating Scams: Pretending to Be a Dream Partner to Defraud
Case Study
Liu Tao, a 13-year-old, met someone on a dating app who claimed to be a foreign friend. They chatted daily, and the person expressed affection for Liu Tao. After several months, this “friend” claimed to have encountered an emergency while traveling and needed financial help. Liu Tao, feeling a deep emotional connection, sent several hundred dollars. Later, the “friend” could no longer be reached.
Analysis
Online dating scams exploit the loneliness and desire for relationships that many teenagers experience. Scammers gradually build emotional connections and, when trust is established, ask for money or other forms of support. This type of scam is difficult to identify due to the gradual emotional manipulation involved. Teenagers need to learn to recognize when online relationships are being exploited for financial gain.
2.4 SMS and Email Scams: Luring Victims to Click on Malicious Links
Case Study
Xiao Zhang received a text message claiming, “Your account has been upgraded to VIP status, click the link to receive your bonus.” Without thinking twice, Xiao Zhang clicked the link, only to later realize that his bank account had been drained after he entered sensitive information.
Analysis
SMS and email scams often appear as official communications from popular platforms, encouraging recipients to click on malicious links and steal sensitive information. Teenagers, lacking sufficient awareness, are more likely to trust these messages and fall into the trap. To avoid such scams, teenagers should refrain from clicking on links from unknown senders and be cautious when dealing with financial transactions via email.
2.5 Donation Scams: Impersonating Charitable Organizations to Collect Funds
Case Study
Wang Ting saw an advertisement on social media about a “donation campaign for poor children,” claiming that donations would help build schools and provide educational resources. Feeling it was a meaningful cause, she donated $200. Later, she discovered that the campaign was a scam, and the website was a fraudulent setup.
Analysis
Charity donation scams have become more common, particularly targeting teenagers. Scammers often impersonate legitimate charitable organizations and trick people into donating money. To avoid falling for such scams, teenagers should verify the authenticity of donation campaigns and only contribute to those that are recognized by reputable organizations.
2.6 Fake Online Course Scams: Charging for Nonexistent Classes
Case Study
Xiao Zhao found an ad online claiming to offer a highly promising coding course for just $300. Interested in learning programming, he signed up and paid. Weeks passed, and no course was held, and the contact details of the platform were nowhere to be found.
Analysis
Fake online course scams take advantage of teenagers’ interest in learning new skills. Scammers present an attractive course with a low price to entice students, then disappear after collecting the payment. Teenagers should carefully choose reputable educational platforms and avoid suspiciously cheap or unfamiliar courses.
2.7 Part-time Job Scams: Fake High-Income Job Offers
Case Study
Xiao Yang found a part-time job advertisement on a job portal, claiming that she could earn $50 per hour by posting ads and promoting products. She provided her personal information and paid an “onboarding fee,” but later discovered that the job was a scam.
Analysis
Part-time job scams often offer attractive pay rates to lure teenagers. After providing personal details or paying fees upfront, victims realize they have been scammed. Teenagers should be cautious when applying for jobs online and avoid paying for any jobs or internships.
2.8 Fake E-Commerce Scams: Impersonating Online Stores to Defraud Buyers
Case Study
Xiao Ling found a super-cheap phone on an unfamiliar e-commerce platform. She immediately purchased it but never received the phone, and the seller’s contact details were no longer available.
Analysis
Fake e-commerce scams use counterfeit websites resembling legitimate online shopping platforms. Teenagers may be enticed by ridiculously low prices, only to lose their money. To avoid this, teenagers should only shop on well-known and verified platforms and be wary of deals that seem too good to be true.
2.9 Mobile App Scams: Charging for Apps That Do Not Deliver
Case Study
Xiao Wang downloaded a photo editing app that appeared to be popular. After installation, the app asked for a monthly fee to access certain features. After paying, Xiao Wang found that the app didn’t improve its functionality but instead showed excessive ads.
Analysis
Mobile app scams often trick users into paying for features or services that do not exist. Teenagers should be careful when downloading apps and ensure they come from official app stores.
2.10 Fake Scholarship Scams: Impersonating Scholarship Organizations to Steal Personal Info and Tuition Fees
Case Study
Xiao Liu received an email that claimed he had been awarded a scholarship from his school but needed to pay a “registration fee” to claim it. He transferred the money, only to later discover that the scholarship was a fraud.
Analysis
Fake scholarship scams impersonate legitimate educational institutions to steal money or personal information. Teenagers should always verify scholarship offers through official school channels and never pay for scholarships.
3. How to Prevent Teenagers from Falling for Scams?
3.1 Raise Awareness: Educate Teenagers to Identify Scam Information
Teenagers should be educated by parents or schools about common scams and taught how to identify fraudulent online content. Regular discussions about online safety can help them recognize potential risks.
3.2 Use Security Software and Tools
Install antivirus software and anti-scam tools on devices. Enable two-factor authentication and other security features to safeguard sensitive information.
3.3 Set Family Rules: Use Family Devices Together
Parents should encourage teenagers to use family devices together, monitor their online activities, and set clear rules to minimize exposure to online scams.
4. Future Challenges in Protecting Teenagers from Scams
As internet technology continues to evolve, the risk of online scams targeting teenagers will likely increase. To protect the financial safety and psychological well-being of teenagers, it is crucial that both governments and companies collaborate, but equally important is active participation from every family. By enhancing online security awareness, teenagers can develop the skills to navigate the internet safely.
If you found this article helpful, please share it with your friends or leave a comment below to share your thoughts and experiences! Also, don’t forget to follow our latest posts for more practical safety tips and insights.
