Financial scams are among the most common crimes. For example, in 2023, 15% of Americans said at least one member of their household had fallen prey to one, including 8% reporting that it had happened to themselves personally. (The latter figure translates into roughly 21 million U.S. adults.)

So we at Bored Panda decided to expand on the issue and asked our readers on Facebook to share what they believe to be the biggest frauds in the history of mankind. From the diamond industry to double taxation, here are the most popular answers that we've received.

#1

Without a doubt: Religion

Image credits: Petter Jakobsson

#2

Tax breaks for the wealthy

Image credits: Sabrina Toupe

#3

Privatized healthcare

Image credits: Jennie Thurber

#4

Hospital car parking fees

Image credits: Sharon Kaye Boskovich

#5

The idea that one group of people is innately better than another group of people

Image credits: Rebecca Furtado

#6

The diamond industry. Super corrupt and monopolized. Diamonds are great, but it's time to step away from them being the coveted stone.

Image credits: Sol-leks Swearingen

#7

Millionaires running their companies into the ground, filing for bankruptcy, then rinse and repeat.

Image credits: Susan McKissick Smith

#8

The 40 hour work week

Image credits: Destiny Lee Shastel Anderson

#9

Having to buy water to drink something that's already natural but it was never originally owned by anyone

Image credits: Katherine Lloyd

#10

Interest and credit scores.

Image credits: Dani Renfro

#11

The trickle down effect

Image credits: Lisa B. Whitaker

#12

That the rich deserve or are entitled to obscene wealth and privilege

Image credits: Sean Morrissey

#13

The banking system, particularly loans and especially mortgages. Diabolical, evil, criminal, sinful

Image credits: Dane Douglas

#14

Mega churches

Image credits: B-Rad Carithers

#15

Insurance of any kind. You use it, the rates go up. You don’t use it, the rates go up

Image credits: Tina Placek-Pelot

#16

That if we work hard we'll be able to live comfortably!! afford to buy a house, car, and holidays, when the reality is we can barely afford food and energy

Image credits: Vicky Mckenna

#17

the importance of politicians

Image credits: Aleksandar Stojanovic

#18

At this point in time subscription services. Everything is that way now and the monthly fees for each item adds up.

Image credits: Melissa Ryan

#19

Double taxation. I get being taxed for roads, services and schools (can’t have roads if there’s no money to build them and can’t have schools and teachers if no one pays for that) but we are taxed on our income, fine. Then with the money we got left over, we get taxed again on anything we buy that isn’t groceries. Buy a used car, that tax has already been paid but they tax each new owner for the same car.

Image credits: Rachel Pitre

#20

Government works for the people

Image credits: Brenda Kiehlmeier

#21

Anyone thinking they “own” land or homes. Try not paying your taxes and see how that goes. We are renting everything from the government

Image credits: Denise Knickerbocker

#22

Health insurance

Image credits: Carla Pickering Ochrin

#23

Schooling, judging by the number of people who "did their own research" with their conspiracy theory articles

Image credits: J.J. Chien

#24

Job agencies. The get about $5 an hour of your pay for you doing the same and more if you went for a job without them. It’s a dam wall restricting jobs and have removed all Human Resources from companies to help the employer to get away with treating people like s**t.

Image credits: Paul Kinder

#25

Adulting, it's really not all it's cracked up to be

Image credits: Suzanne McAleese

#26

Work / life balance

Image credits: R.H. Rhino

#27

Paying for [stuff] that grows on our planet for free

Image credits: Hiezer Montes

#28

College

Image credits: Marianne Sloan Hoffman

#29

Nutritional guidelines, ever notice in America diabetes and heart disease is worse after how many years of heart healthy diets yeah the same people who are making you sick are making the medication to treat you. It isn't about your health it's about profits

Image credits: Theresa M Housand

#30

Electric cars

Image credits: Dave Roberts

#31

Green energy

Image credits: Craig Bozek