Iceland (IS)

Fake job advertisements targeting people seeking work in Iceland are posted on international job sites, Facebook, and LinkedIn. The "employer" requests upfront payment for visa processing fees, training materials, work clothing, or a security deposit. Some schemes are covers for labour trafficking, with victims arriving in Iceland to find conditions very different from what was promised.

While outright fraud is rare, some rental car companies and tour operators have faced criticism internationally for confusing or undisclosed pricing. Car rental counters may add fees not in the original online quote, push unnecessary insurance add-ons, or not clearly disclose the consequences of different insurance levels for Iceland's unique terrain (gravel roads, river crossings, volcanic ash). This is a civil consumer matter more than a criminal scam, but losses can be significant.

With ongoing volcanic activity on the Reykjanes Peninsula since 2021, criminals and pranksters have circulated fake evacuation notices and emergency alerts via social media. These cause panic and potentially dangerous movement of people toward or away from hazard zones without any official basis.

Criminals create convincing fake profiles on dating apps and social media, building relationships with Iceland-based users over weeks before requesting money — typically for a medical emergency, a flight to visit you, or an investment opportunity. Older Icelanders and newly arrived expats (who may be socially isolated) are disproportionately targeted. This is sometimes combined with crypto-investment fraud.