Scam Detective
Research desk · Reports series · Free to cite

The scam wave, in numbers — an ongoing series.

Each edition is a dated data drop from Scam Detective’s research desk: the scam patterns newly documented that week, the costumes they wear, and where the money exits — every pattern linked to its full verdict page. Free to read, and free to quote with attribution and a link.

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The series so far

2026-08-28This Week's Scam Wave, in NumbersThis week's scam wave in numbers: 8 net-new patterns documented — fake iCloud storage warnings, government grant calls, hostage-load movers, Cash App money flips.Latest edition2026-08-19This Week's Scam Wave, in NumbersThe August 15 wave hasn't crested — so this edition publishes the 10 scam scripts verbatim, word for word, with the 5 red flags and 3 steps for each pattern.Edition 62026-08-15This Week's Scam Wave, in NumbersThis week's scam wave in numbers: 10 net-new patterns documented — fake Coinbase withdrawal texts, QR-code password emails, deepfake boss video calls, Medicare impostor calls.Edition 52026-08-12This Week's Scam Wave, in NumbersThis week's scam wave in numbers: 10 net-new patterns documented — Bitcoin-ATM payment demands, sextortion with your real address, fake CAPTCHA malware, WhatsApp investment clubs.Edition 42026-08-09This Week's Scam Wave, in NumbersThis week's scam wave in numbers: 9 net-new patterns documented — closing-day wire fraud, Telegram task-job cons, hijacked search-ad support numbers, counterfeit livestreams.Edition 32026-08-02This Week's Scam Wave, in NumbersThis week's scam wave in numbers: 10 net-new patterns documented — fake jury-duty warrants, utility shutoff threats, flight-cancellation texts, Marketplace seller cons.Edition 22026-07-30This Week's Scam Wave, in NumbersThis week's scam wave in numbers: 10 new patterns documented — fake customs and DMV texts, wrong-number openers, deepfake celebrity ads, gold-bar couriers.Edition 1
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Every edition may be quoted with attribution to Scam Detective and a link to its page. Figures describe the mix of scam patterns our research desk verified and published that week — counts of documented patterns, not victim counts or loss estimates. Each edition carries its own methodology note.

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