Medium riskSocial Media

Psychic Scam

In this scam, a self-styled psychic or spiritual healer messages you with a 'free reading', then claims you are cursed or in danger and demands escalating payments to remove the curse or grant blessings.

Quick verdict

Risk level
Medium risk
Scam type
Spiritual / emotional manipulation
Main red flag
A 'psychic' warns you are cursed and asks for payment to fix it.
What to do first
Do not pay. Stop contact and block; genuine help is not sold through fear.

What this scam usually looks like

In this scam, a self-styled psychic or spiritual healer messages you with a 'free reading', then claims you are cursed or in danger and demands escalating payments to remove the curse or grant blessings.

Social media scams spread through direct messages, ads, hacked friends' accounts, and fake profiles. They range from account-takeover phishing and fake giveaways to investment and romance fraud, exploiting the trust and reach of your own network.

The single clearest warning sign to remember is this: A 'psychic' warns you are cursed and asks for payment to fix it. Do not pay. Stop contact and block; genuine help is not sold through fear.

Not sure this matches what you received? Compare it with the Romance Scam DM or the Celebrity Impersonation DM Scam, browse the Social Media Scams guides, or paste the exact message into our free scam checker.

By the numbers

$1.4B
reported lost to fraud that began on social media in the US in 2023
Source: US Federal Trade Commission
Top channel
social media was among the most common ways scams reached people in 2023
Source: US Federal Trade Commission

Example message pattern

Example pattern, not a real report
Example pattern: 'I sense a dark curse on you and your family. Send $200 for materials and I will remove it before something terrible happens.'

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.

Why this is a red flag: A 'psychic' warns you are cursed and asks for payment to fix it.

Red flags to watch for

  • An unsolicited 'free reading' that turns to bad news
  • Claims of a curse, hex, or danger only they can fix
  • Escalating payments for 'materials' or rituals
  • Pressure and fear to keep you paying
  • Requests for personal details or photos

What to do

  • Stop contact and do not pay for curse removal or blessings
  • Block and report the account
  • Talk to someone you trust if you feel pressured
  • Be wary of unsolicited spiritual messages

If you already clicked or replied

  • Stop sending money, especially 'one more payment' to finish a ritual
  • If you paid by card, contact your bank to dispute it
  • Keep messages as evidence and report the account
  • Seek support if you feel manipulated or anxious

What not to do

  • Do not pay to remove a 'curse'
  • Do not send escalating payments
  • Do not share personal details or photos

Similar scams

High risk Social Media

Romance Scam DM

This scam builds an online romantic relationship through messages, then invents an emergency or investment to ask for money, while always avoiding meeting in person.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Medium risk Social Media

Celebrity Impersonation DM Scam

This scam uses a direct message from an account posing as a celebrity or public figure to build a personal connection with a fan, then asks for money, gift cards, a 'membership fee', or details for a fake meet-and-greet or giveaway.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Medium risk Social Media

Fake Charity Donation Scam

Fake charity appeals, often tied to disasters or medical causes, spread through social posts and DMs and push donations via untraceable methods to a cause that does not exist or never receives the money.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team

Frequently asked questions

Are these psychic offers ever genuine?
Scammers use fear of curses and danger to extract escalating payments. Genuine help is not sold by frightening you into paying to avoid harm.
Why do they message me out of the blue?
Unsolicited 'free readings' are a hook. Once you engage, the scammer introduces a curse or threat that only their paid ritual can fix.
I already paid. Will more payments end it?
No. The demands continue as long as you pay. Stop, dispute card payments with your bank, and block and report the account.
How do I protect vulnerable family members?
Talk openly about these tactics, encourage them to ignore unsolicited spiritual messages, and help them block and report such accounts.

Last reviewed June 2026 · Written & reviewed by the

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.