Fake Government Grant Scams
Promises of free government grant money that require fees or bank details to 'release'.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
What this scam is
Fake government grant scams promise free grant money you 'qualify' for — for individuals or small businesses — but require processing fees or bank details to release funds that never come.
How it works
Often via social media or a hijacked account of someone you know, you're told about a grant program. To claim, you pay a fee or share bank login details, after which the money never arrives and your account may be drained.
Common red flags
- Unsolicited 'you qualify for a grant' offer
- Fee required to release 'free' money
- Message from a friend's account that seems off
- Requests for bank logins or gift cards
Sanitized example messages
Illustrative, sanitized examples. Personal details are replaced with placeholders such as [phone number] and [fake link].
I got a [amount] government grant — you qualify too! Message [agent] and pay the small clearance fee.
Payment methods used
- Fees
- Bank details harvested
- Gift cards
Who is usually targeted
- Small business owners
- People needing financial help
What to do immediately
- Don't pay fees for 'free' grants or share bank logins
- Verify grant programs on official government sites
- Warn the friend whose account may be hijacked; report it
Evidence to preserve
- The message and any 'agent' details
- Payment demands
- Screenshots
Where to report it
- Action Fraud (UK) — UK national fraud & cybercrime reporting centre
- FTC ReportFraud (US) — US Federal Trade Commission fraud reports
- FBI IC3 (US) — US Internet Crime Complaint Center
- Scamwatch (Australia) — Australian competition & consumer reporting
- Your bank's fraud line — Use the number on the back of your card or in your banking app — never a number the caller gives you
Always verify reporting routes and emergency contacts on the official government or agency website for your country.
Frequently asked questions
Do real government grants require upfront fees?
No. Legitimate grants are applied for through official programs and never require you to pay a fee or share bank logins to 'release' the money. Such requests are always a scam.