High riskBank & Payment Scams

Advance Fee Loan Scam

A lender guarantees approval for a loan regardless of your credit, then asks for an upfront 'insurance', 'processing', or 'first payment' fee before releasing the money. Once the fee is paid, the promised funds never arrive.

Quick verdict

Risk level
High risk
Scam type
Advance-fee scam
Main red flag
A guaranteed loan with no credit check that requires you to pay a fee before any money is released.
What to do first
Do not pay anything upfront. Genuine lenders do not require a payment before they advance a loan.

What this scam usually looks like

A lender guarantees approval for a loan regardless of your credit, then asks for an upfront 'insurance', 'processing', or 'first payment' fee before releasing the money. Once the fee is paid, the promised funds never arrive.

Example message pattern

Example pattern — not a real report
Example pattern: 'Congratulations, your $5,000 loan is APPROVED regardless of credit. To release the funds, pay the $250 insurance fee today via gift card or transfer.'

This is a fictional, anonymised example used to illustrate the pattern. It is not a verified real message, and any names are used only to show how the scam typically reads.

Red flags to watch for

  • A promise of guaranteed approval with no credit check
  • A demand for an upfront fee before the loan is paid out
  • Payment requested by gift card, transfer, or crypto
  • Pressure to pay quickly before the 'offer' expires
  • A lender that contacted you out of the blue with no proper paperwork

What to do

  • Refuse to pay any fee required before a loan is released
  • Check whether the lender is registered with your financial regulator
  • Search the company name alongside words like 'scam' or 'complaint'
  • Compare the offer with regulated lenders before committing to anything

If you already clicked or replied

  • If you paid by transfer, contact your bank immediately to try to recover it
  • If you paid by gift card, report it to the card's issuer as soon as possible
  • Report the lender to your financial regulator and national fraud centre
  • Stop all contact and ignore demands for further 'fees' to release the money

What not to do

  • Do not pay any upfront fee to 'unlock' a loan
  • Do not share bank login or card details with an unverified lender
  • Do not believe claims that a guaranteed loan needs payment first

Similar scams

High risk Bank & Payment

Fake Bank Alert Text Scam

This scam sends a text claiming suspicious activity on your account, then steers you to a fake login page or a 'fraud agent' who pressures you to move money.
High risk Government & Tax

Government Grant Scam

This scam uses a message, call, or social media post claiming you qualify for a free government grant, then asks for a processing fee or your bank details to 'release' money that does not actually exist.
Medium risk Text Message

Lottery Winner Scam

This scam tells you that you have won a lottery or prize draw you never entered, then asks for an upfront fee, tax payment, or personal details to release the supposed winnings.

Frequently asked questions

Do real lenders ever ask for fees before paying out?
Legitimate lenders deduct any fees from the loan or charge them later, not as an upfront payment to release funds. A demand to pay first is a common advance-fee scam sign.
They guaranteed approval with bad credit. Is that possible?
No responsible lender can guarantee approval without checking your circumstances. 'Guaranteed approval, no credit check' alongside an upfront fee is a classic warning pattern.
Why do they want gift cards or a transfer?
These payment methods are hard to reverse and trace, which is why scammers prefer them. Genuine loan fees are not paid this way.
I already paid the fee. Can I get it back?
Contact your bank or the gift card issuer immediately, report it to your regulator and fraud centre, and stop further payments. Quick action improves the chance of recovering funds.

Last reviewed: June 2026

Disclaimer: This page provides educational information only to help you recognise common scam patterns. It is not legal, financial, cybersecurity, or law enforcement advice, and it does not confirm whether any specific message, company, or person is genuine or fraudulent. When in doubt, contact the official organisation directly and report concerns to your local authorities.