Fake sugar daddy / sugar mommy allowance upfront-fee scam — fraudster poses as a wealthy benefactor offering a weekly or monthly allowance but demands gift-card codes, a commitment deposit, an overpayment wire-back, or banking/payment-app credentials before sending any money

Fraudulent "sugar daddy" or "sugar mommy" emails offering a weekly or monthly cash allowance in exchange for companionship or social media content — but requiring the recipient (the "sugar baby") to pay an upfront fee or provide financial details before receiving any money. The upfront demand takes several forms: (1) gift-card codes ("buy $200 in Amazon gift cards and send me the codes to verify your commitment"); (2) overpayment check fraud ("I'll mail you a $2,500 check; cash it and wire $500 back as a commitment deposit" — the check bounces days later, leaving the victim liable for the wired amount); (3) banking or payment-app credentials ("send me your bank account number and routing number, or your Venmo/Zelle details to receive your first payment"). Key facts: (1) FTC 2023: 70,000+ reports of romance/allowance scams costing victims $1.3 billion — median loss $2,400; (2) No genuine financial arrangement — regardless of how romantic or informal — requires gift cards, a commitment deposit, or account credentials as a condition of sending money; (3) These scams overwhelmingly target young adults (18–24) via Instagram, TikTok, and dating apps; (4) Gift-card payment is exclusively the payment method of scammers — no legitimate person or business requires it. Warning signs: unsolicited offer from someone you have not met, any gift-card or wire-back request before first payment.