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- Asep Haryono | I Was Targeted by a PayPal Scam on X . Here's What Happened and What You Should Know - Powered by Blogger
I Was Targeted by a PayPal Scam on X. Here's What Happened and What You Should Know. In today’s digital world, scams are becoming smarter, and even regular social media users like me can be targets. Just tonight, I received a suspicious direct message (DM) on X (formerly Twitter) from someone claiming to offer me $5,000 through PayPal.
The account looked shady, and the conversation only confirmed my doubts. I’m sharing my full experience here to help others stay alert and avoid falling into similar traps.
The Message That Started It All
I received a DM from an account called @SteeleSwif96988, claiming to be named Debbie Steele-Swift. The profile was already suspicious: it had only 17 followers, had just joined in July 2025, and its bio read:
“Follow me and drop your Cashapp or PayPal and get spoiled with $5000 immediately with weekly allowance of $1,500 every weekly"
Here’s how the DM conversation went:
Debbie: Congratulations 🎉 you have been picked that will be getting $5000 from me for the ongoing giveaway program this is my way of thanking you for following me and participating in my promotion! Are you ready to claim ?? Reply if YES
Me: YES
Debbie: Does your PayPal work
Me: It does
Debbie: What’s your PayPal Gmail
Me: For what?
Debbie: To remove your payment. Or send your PayPal username.
Me: Not interested
Debbie: Why?
Me: It seems to me you are a robot or a scammer. I do not know you.
That was the end of it. I blocked the account immediately.
My Investigation
To confirm my suspicion, I consulted my friends for a second opinion.
Here's what I found:
The account was a typical scam setup: new profile, vague identity, and an unrealistic offer. Requesting PayPal info is a common trick used in phishing scams or fake payment frauds. Scammers may send fake screenshots of payments or claim you must “verify” your account leading to identity theft or stolen money.
I also sent one of my friends a screenshot of the profile photo and it confirmed the profile had all the signs of a scammer generic photo, fake bio, and manipulative language like “get spoiled.
What You Should Do If This Happens to You
1. Do NOT share your PayPal email or bank details with strangers.
2. If you get a DM like this, block and report the account immediately.
3. Enable two-factor authentication on your financial accounts.
4. If you already gave them your email, watch for phishing emails or fake PayPal notifications.
5. Always trust your gut if it feels off, it probably is.
Stay Safe, Be Cautious
I'm sharing this story not because I was fooled, but because I almost could have been. These scams are becoming more personal and well-disguised. It's our job to stay alert and educate each other. If you found this useful, feel free to share this post or drop your thoughts in the comments. Let’s help stop online scams one warning at a time..
Your Turn!
Have you ever received a suspicious message offering free money?
Share your story in the comments or help others stay safe by sharing this article on your social media.
The account looked shady, and the conversation only confirmed my doubts. I’m sharing my full experience here to help others stay alert and avoid falling into similar traps.
 |
| Be Alert @SteeleSwif96988, |
The Message That Started It All
I received a DM from an account called @SteeleSwif96988, claiming to be named Debbie Steele-Swift. The profile was already suspicious: it had only 17 followers, had just joined in July 2025, and its bio read:
“Follow me and drop your Cashapp or PayPal and get spoiled with $5000 immediately with weekly allowance of $1,500 every weekly"
 |
| Part One |
 |
| Part Two |
Here’s how the DM conversation went:
Debbie: Congratulations 🎉 you have been picked that will be getting $5000 from me for the ongoing giveaway program this is my way of thanking you for following me and participating in my promotion! Are you ready to claim ?? Reply if YES
Me: YES
Debbie: Does your PayPal work
Me: It does
Debbie: What’s your PayPal Gmail
Me: For what?
Debbie: To remove your payment. Or send your PayPal username.
Me: Not interested
Debbie: Why?
Me: It seems to me you are a robot or a scammer. I do not know you.
That was the end of it. I blocked the account immediately.
My Investigation
To confirm my suspicion, I consulted my friends for a second opinion.
Here's what I found:
The account was a typical scam setup: new profile, vague identity, and an unrealistic offer. Requesting PayPal info is a common trick used in phishing scams or fake payment frauds. Scammers may send fake screenshots of payments or claim you must “verify” your account leading to identity theft or stolen money.
I also sent one of my friends a screenshot of the profile photo and it confirmed the profile had all the signs of a scammer generic photo, fake bio, and manipulative language like “get spoiled.
What You Should Do If This Happens to You
1. Do NOT share your PayPal email or bank details with strangers.
2. If you get a DM like this, block and report the account immediately.
3. Enable two-factor authentication on your financial accounts.
4. If you already gave them your email, watch for phishing emails or fake PayPal notifications.
5. Always trust your gut if it feels off, it probably is.
Stay Safe, Be Cautious
I'm sharing this story not because I was fooled, but because I almost could have been. These scams are becoming more personal and well-disguised. It's our job to stay alert and educate each other. If you found this useful, feel free to share this post or drop your thoughts in the comments. Let’s help stop online scams one warning at a time..
Your Turn!
Have you ever received a suspicious message offering free money?
Share your story in the comments or help others stay safe by sharing this article on your social media.
A Message From Asep Haryono
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