For many people, games like Words With Friends are a relaxing way to pass the time. You play a few rounds, chat with opponents and enjoy a little mental exercise. But scammers have quietly turned these casual games into hunting grounds.

They look for players who appear friendly, are older, or are recently widowed. Then they start a conversation. At first, it feels harmless. A compliment. A friendly message. A question about where you live.

Weeks later, the conversation often shifts to money. Angela from Lake Mary, MN, recently wrote to us about a situation that has her entire family worried.

“My sister, who lost her Doctor husband of 56 years 1.5 years ago, is communicating with a man she met on an internet game, “Words with Friends”. She is buying him gift cards and giving him the number so he can cash them. My nephews took her to their local police dept and they told her it’s a scam! Dangerous and to STOP. She doesn’t believe anyone!!! Is there a way to find out where these emails and texts are coming from??? We are very concerned! Hope you have some advice.” Angela, Lake Mary, MN

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Angela’s situation is heartbreaking. Sadly, it is also very common. Authorities consider these romance scams. They cost victims billions each year. According to the Federal Trade Commission, romance scams remain one of the most expensive fraud categories reported by consumers.

NEW FBI WARNING REVEALS PHISHING ATTACKS HITTING PRIVATE CHATS

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How the Words With Friends scam usually begins

Scammers often start inside casual apps where conversation feels natural. Games like Words With Friends allow players to chat during matches. That simple feature creates the perfect entry point for criminals.

The pattern often follows the same steps. First, the scammer begins a friendly conversation during a game. Next, they ask to move the conversation to email, text or a messaging app. Then they begin building emotional trust. Many claim to be widowed, traveling for work or working overseas.

Eventually, a crisis appears. They claim they need help paying a bill, fixing a problem or buying supplies. Finally, they ask for money through gift cards. Once the gift card numbers are sent, the money is usually gone.

Why gift cards are a major warning sign

Gift cards are one of the biggest red flags in scams. Criminals prefer them because they are fast and difficult to trace. Once someone shares the numbers on the back of the card, the scammer can redeem the balance immediately.

There is almost no way to recover the money after that. Legitimate people do not ask strangers or online acquaintances for gift cards. If someone you met online asks for them, treat it as a serious warning sign.

Can you find where the emails or texts are coming from?

Angela asked whether it is possible to trace the messages. Sometimes it is. Often it is difficult. Scammers work hard to hide their identity and location.

They often use:

• VoIP numbers such as Google Voice
• Email accounts created specifically for scams
• VPN services that hide their true location

Because of this, a message may appear to come from the United States even if the scammer is overseas. Still, there are a few steps that can sometimes uncover clues.

Check the full email headers for clues

If the communication is happening by email, the full email header may reveal the route the message traveled. Headers sometimes contain the originating IP address. That address may show the country where the email began its journey.

Free tools such as Google’s Messageheader analyzer, MXToolbox and Microsoft’s Message Header Analyzer can break down email headers and show the path a message traveled across mail servers. 

While this information will not usually reveal the scammer’s true identity, it can sometimes indicate the network or country where the email originated. 

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Reverse search the photos

Romance scammers almost always steal photos from real people. Those photos often come from social media profiles or professional websites. You can upload the images to reverse search tools such as Google Images.

If the same photo appears under multiple names or accounts, that is strong evidence of a scam. Showing that proof sometimes helps victims reconsider what is happening.

Search the phone number or username

Another simple step is searching for the contact information online. Enter the phone number, email address or username along with words like scam or romance scam.

Many scammers reuse the same identity across multiple victims. In some cases, other people have already reported the same name or number. Finding those reports can help reveal the pattern.

Report the account inside the game

If the conversation began on Words With Friends, the account can be reported directly through the game. Companies investigate reports and often remove accounts involved in fraud.

That action will not always stop the scammer completely. However, it can prevent them from targeting additional players.

The hardest part of these scams

The emotional connection can be stronger than the evidence. Scammers spend weeks building trust. They learn about the victim’s life, their losses and their fears. Then they present themselves as someone who understands.

For someone who is grieving or lonely, that connection can feel very real. Experts often recommend approaching the situation carefully.

Avoid accusations or heated arguments. Instead, focus on protecting finances and calmly presenting evidence. 

Family members may also help by monitoring financial activity or encouraging a pause before sending money.

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How to stay safe from Words With Friends and romance scams

Romance scams continue to grow. A few practical steps can help reduce the risk.

1) Be cautious with strangers in online games

Friendly chat inside games can easily become manipulation. Be careful when strangers try to move the conversation elsewhere.

2) Never send gift cards to someone you met online

Gift cards are one of the most common tools used in scams. Treat any request for them as a warning sign.

3) Reverse search profile photos

Running a quick image search can reveal stolen photos used by scammers. 

4) Talk to family before sending money

A second opinion can stop a scam before it becomes expensive. 

5) Report scams to authorities

If you suspect fraud, report it to the Federal Trade Commission at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov.

Reports help investigators track organized criminal networks.

6) Keep conversations inside the game platform

Scammers almost always try to move the conversation to text, email or messaging apps. Staying inside the game platform makes it easier to report suspicious behavior.

7) Monitor credit and financial accounts

Some scammers eventually ask victims for personal details such as bank information or identification documents. Monitoring your credit reports and financial accounts can help detect suspicious activity early. See my tips and best picks on Best Identity Theft Protection at Cyberguy.com.

8) Reduce how much personal information appears online

Scammers often research potential victims through people-search websites and public records. Limiting the personal details that appear online can make it harder for criminals to target you. Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com.

9) Watch for sudden emergencies or travel stories

Romance scammers often claim they are working overseas, stuck on an oil rig or deployed in the military. These stories are designed to explain why they cannot meet in person.  

Kurt’s key takeaways

Angela’s story shows how easily these scams can begin. They often start in places that feel harmless. A simple word game. A friendly chat. A conversation that slowly becomes personal. By the time money enters the picture, the emotional bond may already feel strong. That is why families must focus on patience and protection. Helping someone step back from a scam can take time, but support and evidence can make a difference.

If a friendly opponent in a simple word game started messaging you every day, would you recognize the moment when the conversation turns into a scam? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

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This weekend’s scheduled Blue Origin rocket launch is rather momentous. Success would signal an end to SpaceX’s monopoly on reusable orbital launch vehicles, and set up a three-way race to make that “No Service” indicator on your phone disappear forever.

On Sunday morning, Jeff Bezos’ massive New Glenn rocket is scheduled to launch with the first-stage booster that launched and landed on the program’s second mission last November. It’s a critical test, because cost-effective booster reuse is what’s made SpaceX’s Falcon 9 so dominate.

Amazon desperately needs a reusable rocket of its own to accelerate its Leo launches. Without one, it’s only been able to launch 241 Leo satellites, putting it well behind schedule. In that same 12-month time period, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket was able to deploy over 1,500 satellites to its Starlink constellation.

Sunday’s mission will carry AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird 7 satellite to low Earth orbit. Instead of blanketing the region with thousands of small satellites like Amazon and SpaceX, AST’s plan is to deploy fewer satellites that are much more powerful. Bluebird 7 features a massive 2,400-square-foot phased-array antenna, making it the largest commercial communications array ever deployed in low Earth orbit. It’s essentially a cell tower in space, and will be the second of the company’s “Block 2” next-generation satellites to launch.

The BlueBird 7 is designed to provide 4G and 5G broadband, at speeds exceeding 120 Mbps, to the phones we already carry. AST plans to have 45 to 60 satellites launched by the end of 2026. When AST lights up its service sometime this year, it will be in direct competition with Starlink’s direct-to-cell service, already operating with T-Mobile in the US, and Globalstar, the satellite network snapped up by Amazon that keeps iPhones and Apple Watches communicating in dead zones.

You probably think your messages are safe. After all, apps like WhatsApp, Signal and Telegram promote strong encryption.

But a new warning from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and the Federal Bureau of Investigation shows that attackers do not need to break encryption at all.

Instead, they are going after you.

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FBI WARNS ABOUT FOREIGN APPS AND YOUR DATA
 

What the FBI and CISA just revealed

According to the joint advisory, cyber actors tied to Russian intelligence are running large-scale phishing campaigns targeting messaging apps.

These attacks are not random. They have focused on high-value targets like government officials, military personnel and journalists. However, the tactics can easily spread to everyday users.

Here is the key takeaway: Hackers are not cracking the apps themselves. They are tricking people into giving up access. 

How these messaging app attacks actually work

This is where it gets interesting and a bit unsettling. Instead of breaking encryption, attackers use phishing to gain control of individual accounts. Once inside, they can:

• Read private conversations
• Access contact lists
• Send messages as if they were you
• Launch new scams targeting your contacts

It becomes a chain reaction. One compromised account can quickly lead to many more. In some cases, attackers impersonate trusted contacts. That makes the scam feel real and urgent.

Why encryption is not enough anymore

Encryption still matters. It protects messages as they travel between devices. But here is the problem. If someone logs into your account, they see everything just like you do.

That means even the most secure app cannot protect you if your login gets compromised. This is a shift in how cyberattacks work. The weakest link is no longer the technology. It is human behavior.

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Who is at risk from messaging app phishing attacks

While the advisory highlights high-profile targets, the tactics are not limited to them.

If you use messaging apps for:

• Personal conversations
• Work communication
• Sharing sensitive information

You are a potential target. Phishing works because it relies on simple mistakes. A quick tap on the wrong link is often all it takes. 

What this means for you

This warning highlights a bigger trend. Cyberattacks are becoming more personal. Instead of attacking systems, hackers are targeting people directly. That makes awareness your strongest defense. The more you understand how these scams work, the harder it becomes for attackers to succeed.

Ways to stay safe from messaging app phishing attacks

You do not need to be a cybersecurity expert to protect yourself. You just need to slow things down and follow a few smart habits.

1) Be skeptical of unexpected messages

If a message feels urgent or out of place, pause. Even if it looks like it came from someone you know.

2) Never click suspicious links

Avoid links sent through messages unless you can verify them independently. Strong antivirus software can help detect suspicious behavior after a compromise. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com.

3) Turn on two-factor authentication

Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds a second layer of protection even if your password gets exposed.

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4) Watch for login alerts

Many apps notify you when a new device signs in. Do not ignore these warnings.

5) Verify requests in another way

If a contact asks for something unusual, call them or confirm through another channel.

6) Use a data removal service

Limit how much of your personal information is available online. Data removal services work to delete your data from broker sites, making it harder for scammers to target you with convincing phishing messages. Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com.

7) Keep your device and apps updated

Install updates regularly. Security patches fix vulnerabilities that attackers can exploit after gaining access.

Kurt’s key takeaways

Messaging apps feel private. They feel secure. That sense of comfort is exactly what attackers are counting on. The technology is still strong. The real question is whether your habits are keeping up. So the next time a message pops up that feels slightly off, trust that instinct and take a second look.

Have you ever received a suspicious message that made you stop and question if it was real? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

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Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.