Six signs an investing account you saw online is a scam
Teenagers are targeted deliberately, because the pitch works best on someone who has not seen it before. These six checks catch almost everything.
The six signs
Any one of these is enough to walk away. Two together is certainty.
A guaranteed return, or any specific percentage "per week".
Pressure to act now, or a spot that expires today.
Screenshots of profits as the main evidence — those take seconds to fake.
Payment by crypto transfer, gift card or a friend's bank account.
A person who will only speak in direct messages and avoids questions about regulation.
A promise that you can withdraw "after one more deposit".
The one question that ends most of them
Ask: "Which regulator are you registered with, and what is your registration number?" A real firm answers instantly and the number checks out on the regulator's own website. A scam changes the subject.
If it already happened
Tell an adult the same day, stop all contact and screenshot everything before it disappears. Report it to your country's fraud line and to the platform. Embarrassment is what scammers rely on to keep it quiet — it is not your fault.
The takeaway
Nothing legitimate needs urgency, secrecy or a guaranteed weekly return. Slow questions are your best protection.