Historical List of Scam Companies

This page is dedicated to documenting historical scams and unethical practices in the technology sector worldwide. Each entry is categorized by country to help consumers make informed decisions and stay vigilant against fraudulent or unethical companies.

Disclaimer: The information provided here is based on publicly available data. It is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal accusations. All parties are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Here’s the updated list of known scam technology companies, complete with source links for further reference:

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United States

1. Meta Platforms (Facebook/Instagram)
   • Scam Type: Hosting scams on platforms like Facebook Marketplace and Instagram.
   • Description: These platforms were reported as hotspots for scams, such as unauthorized push payment fraud, happening every seven minutes in the UK.
   • Sources:
     • TechRadar Article
     • BBC Report
2. Theranos
   • Scam Type: Fraudulent medical technology claims.
   • Description: Falsely advertised revolutionary blood-testing technology. Founder Elizabeth Holmes was convicted in 2022.
   • Sources:
     • BBC News on Theranos
     • NPR Report
3. FTX
   • Scam Type: Cryptocurrency fraud.
   • Description: Mishandled customer funds and obscured financial losses, leading to bankruptcy in 2022.
   • Sources:
     • CNBC on FTX Collapse
     • Reuters Investigation
4. Robinhood
   • Scam Type: Misleading users about financial risks.
   • Description: Accused of nontransparent practices and fined by the SEC.
   • Sources:
     • SEC Settlement
     • The Verge Report
5. Enron
   • Scam Type: Financial fraud.
   • Description: Used deceptive accounting practices to hide debt, causing a historic corporate scandal.
   • Sources:
     • Investopedia on Enron
     • PBS Documentary

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United Kingdom

1. Meta Platforms (Facebook/Instagram)
   • Scam Type: Online marketplace fraud.
   • Description: Similar to the US, platforms were criticized for facilitating scams that preyed on vulnerable users.
   • Sources:
     • BBC Business News
     • Guardian Report
2. Cambridge Analytica
   • Scam Type: Unethical data harvesting.
   • Description: Misused Facebook data to influence election outcomes, leading to global controversy.
   • Sources:
     • The Guardian on Cambridge Analytica
     • NPR Feature
3. OneCoin
   • Scam Type: Cryptocurrency pyramid scheme.
   • Description: Lured investors globally, promising high returns without delivering legitimate services.
   • Sources:
     • BBC Coverage
     • Reuters Report
4. Ticketmaster UK
   • Scam Type: Data breach negligence.
   • Description: Exposed customer data during a cyberattack.
   • Sources:
     • The Register Report
     • BBC Technology News
5. Wirecard UK
   • Scam Type: Financial misconduct.
   • Description: Fraudulent financial reporting that led to its collapse.
   • Sources:
     • Financial Times Report
     • BBC Report

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Australia

1. Hi Mum Scams
   • Scam Type: Impersonation.
   • Description: Text-based impersonation scams targeting family members for quick money transfers.
   • Sources:
     • TechRadar Analysis
     • Scamwatch Australia
2. MyBudget
   • Scam Type: Financial mismanagement.
   • Description: Allegations of mishandling customer funds and misleading advertising.
   • Sources:
     • The Sydney Morning Herald
     • Choice Magazine
3. CrowdStrike Impersonation
   • Scam Type: Cybersecurity fraud.
   • Description: Scammers posed as CrowdStrike representatives to extract sensitive data.
   • Sources:
     • TechRadar
     • Scamwatch
4. Unpaid Toll Scams
   • Scam Type: Phishing.
   • Description: Fake messages about unpaid tolls tricked users into revealing personal information.
   • Sources:
     • ABC News
     • Scamwatch Australia
5. False Delivery Texts
   • Scam Type: Phishing.
   • Description: Impersonation of delivery services like Australia Post to steal user data.
   • Sources:
     • TechRadar Report
     • The Guardian Australia