Sugar-Daddy/Mommy 'Allowance Verification' Advance-Fee
A 'benefactor' promises a weekly allowance for little in return, but first you must 'verify' by paying a fee or sending a payment they'll 'refund.'
Think a message like this reached you? You can check it right now.
What this scam is
Someone offers to pay you a generous weekly allowance as a 'sugar daddy/mommy' with no real strings. To start, they say they must 'verify' your payment method, or they send you a fake payment and ask you to send part back or pay a small activation fee. The allowance never materializes; the fee or 'refund' is the scam, and any check or transfer they send will bounce. It is an advance-fee con dressed as easy money.
What it usually looks like
- An offer of a large weekly allowance for little effort.
- A requirement to 'verify' your payment app or card.
- A payment sent to you with a request to send some back.
- A small 'activation' or 'verification' fee.
Common warning signs
- Being asked to pay or send anything to receive an allowance.
- 'Verification' that costs you money.
- Payments you must partly return.
- Pressure and flattery.
Example wording scammers use
“I'll pay you $800/week — first, verify by sending a $50 gift card so I know you're real.”
“I sent your first allowance; just return $200 as the activation fee.”
These are illustrative examples written by ScamSplain, not real messages.
What the scammers want
- An upfront 'verification' or 'activation' fee.
- You to send back part of a fake payment.
- Your payment details.
What to do
- Never pay to receive money; that is always a scam.
- Do not 'verify' by sending gift cards or payments.
- Ignore allowances that require anything from you first.
- Block and report.
What to do if you already responded
- Contact your bank/app about anything you sent.
- Keep the messages as evidence.
- Report at reportfraud.ftc.gov.