InZOI Scams: Player Discovers New Patch Feature The Hard Way

InZOI's December update added lots of features, primarily focused on expanding a player's money-making options, fleshing out the darker sides of InZOI, adding winter activities and holidays, and general bug fixes to improve player experience. However, one player discovered a brand new feature not directly touched on; InZOI Scams! While players can run scams as a way to make money, leading their Zoi into a crime-riddled and shady lifestyle, they can also be targeted for those same scams!

New Feature: InZOI Scams

Patch Notes

Per the patch notes of InZOI's v0.5.0 Update, a multitude of new features were introduced, including the ability for player-controlled Zois to live a life of crime, build their own business, take on odd and shady jobs, and winter holiday events and weather changes. While player-controlled Zois can pursue crime through burglary or scamming, that doesn't stop in-game scams from targeting your Zois!

While this is a prominent feature, this is not the only feature related to crime. Players can also go through the process of becoming a burglar, working as an online scammer, or taking on shady jobs from "The Suspicious Job Agency" and their bulletin board job listings.

And while Zois can succeed in these shadier money-making options, they can also get the book thrown at them in the form of arrests, fines, criminal trials, and even prison sentences. Zois will have Crime Scores that indicate the severity of the crime if it is reported by a witness, can develop a wanted status for up to one day, and go through a lengthy trial process with a lawyer to hopefully get any charges overturned or a reduced sentence.

For more information on the crime features added in InZOI's December Update, v0.5.0, make sure to check out our Patch Notes article!

New Feature: InZOI Scams

Similar to real-life scams, the scam messages targetting your Zoi will show up at random on their phone, often promising easy wealth before swiping out your Zoi's money from under them, often leading to debt, despair, and an angry mood after the Zoi realizes what has happened and feels swindled.

Since so many legitimate game features are advertised to players via text messages, many players wouldn't think before agreeing to the scam, or just ignoring it. One thing of note is that the icon shown for "Smash Hit Investment Lab", the scammy "company" in questions, uses an image of a concealed person with a hood and mask behind a laptop, giving a hint as to their real intentions.

When your Zoi agrees to this investment, they lose money and often go directly into debt. This can cause stress when, typically two hours later, the scammer in questions reaches out and rubs it in your face that you lost that money to them.

Other Additions to the Crime System

Scamming isn't the only thing added in the updated Crime system. Zois can also become good old-fashioned Burglars, breaking into homes and businesses to steal items, dodging property owners, security cameras, and home alarm systems. Zois looking for something a little less hands-on can apply to new positions at the Shady Job Agency, taking on gig-style crimes posted by said agency.

Zois are able to witness crimes and report them, and this can lead to a developing Wanted Status. This status will only last for up to a day, but leads to any passing police officers making chase and fining or arresting the wanted Zoi. This often leads to trials and lawyers, and sometimes even prison or jail time if the crime warrants it.

Our full list of the patch notes, including fixes, new features, and expanded systems, can be reviewed here!

Have you gotten scammed yet in-game, run any scams yourself, or tested out other new crime features? Feel free to discuss, and we'll make sure to keep you updated on new InZOI Features and surprises at The Sims Community!