CS2 scams: the most common trade frauds

Steam scammers have used the same schemes for years. Once you know them, it is almost impossible to fool you.

🚩 1. "I accidentally reported you"

A stranger says they reported your account by mistake and gives you a "Steam Support" contact on Discord. Real Steam Support never messages you on Discord or asks you to move items.

🚩 2. "Vote for my team"

The link leads to a site with a "Sign in through Steam" button — it is a fake login window. Once you enter your details, the account goes to the scammer.

🚩 3. Trade offer hijacking

Using a stolen API key, the scammer cancels your trade and instantly sends a copy from a lookalike account with the same name and avatar. Always check the account's join date and level in the confirmation window.

🚩 4. "Let me check the skin"

A request to hand over an item "for checking" or "to see the float" is always a scam. You will not get it back.

🚩 5. Fake giveaways and cases

"You won a knife" messages and free-case sites that require Steam login are phishing.

🛡️ Safety rules

• Confirm trades only in the Steam Mobile app and check the recipient carefully.

• Do not open links from strangers, even if a "friend" sends them — their account may be hacked.

• Check steamcommunity.com/dev/apikey regularly.

⚠️ If you were scammed

Report the scammer's account in Steam and contact support via help.steampowered.com. Steam usually does not restore items you traded away voluntarily.