Medium riskSocial Media Scams

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.

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.

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

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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.
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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.
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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.

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

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.