1. Rent-a-Bank-Account Scam

In this scam, fraudsters convince individuals to "rent out" their personal or business bank accounts. In return, victims are promised a cut—usually 1% to 5%—of large financial transactions or a one-time lump sum. These accounts are then used for illegal activities such as money laundering, stock manipulation, or online gambling.

Example: An individual may be promised ₹50,000 to let fraudsters use their current account for a few days. The account is then used to route ₹1 crore in dubious transactions. Once flagged, the account holder is liable for criminal investigation—even if unaware of the funds' origin.

2. Rent-a-LinkedIn-Account Scam

LinkedIn profiles are becoming another prime target for scammers. In this scam, individuals are offered weekly payments (e.g., $20/week) to "rent" their LinkedIn account. Once access is granted, scammers may change profile details and use the account for illegal purposes.

Example: A Bengaluru-based woman shared her experience on LinkedIn about being approached by a stranger offering money to rent her LinkedIn account. The offer included handing over login credentials and restricting password changes—red flags that indicated potential identity misuse.