Paizo has issued a security warning to users on its official Discord server following an increase in targeted scams. On 30 June 2026, the moderation team confirmed that scammers are exploiting the server’s “Looking For Game” (LFG) channels. Bad actors are demanding that players pay specific artists for character art before they can join a session.
The scam relies heavily on social engineering rather than automated bots. In many cases, these scammers use direct messages to pose as down-on-their-luck artists, offering cheap commissions to manipulate players looking for a new game. Because the scammers operate as real people, they easily bypass Paizo’s standard security filters.
To stop the influx of fake accounts, Paizo has introduced a new barrier to entry. Users must now participate in the server-wide chat to access the LFG channels. The moderation team designed this activity requirement to be low enough to allow genuine players through while still deterring newly created scam accounts.
Recognising that many legitimate players visit the server strictly to find roleplaying games and avoid general chat, Paizo created a dedicated “No Access” channel. Genuine players can use this channel to request LFG access directly from the moderation team without meeting the chat requirement. To support these new measures, Paizo is currently accepting applications for new volunteer moderators.
While Paizo is focused on character art emotional blackmail, the more common Discord art scam generally involves someone who appears to be a down-on-their-luck artist and with a deal too good to be true. If you get any art in exchange for your kindness, then it may not of type you paid for.
The introduction of generative AI has fundamentally changed how scammers operate. Previously, bad actors had to rely on stealing existing artwork to build fake portfolios. Cautious players could often identify these fake portfolios through simple reverse image searches. Now, scammers use AI tools to instantly generate custom sketches based on a player’s specific character description. This allows them to quickly provide fake proof of work to secure upfront payments before they disappear entirely.
This tactic is particularly effective against players who ask for an initial draft before handing over cash. When the scammer delivers a fast sketch, it creates a false sense of legitimacy. However, these generated drafts often exhibit hallmarks of AI-generated content, such as mismatched armour or illogical clothing layers. As these tools become more accessible, the barrier to running these scams lowers. This leaves players to navigate an increasingly deceptive landscape when trying to commission art for their roleplaying games.
Quick Links
- Paizo’s Discord warning
