diff --git a/_data/messages.yml b/_data/messages.yml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..642a7ac5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/_data/messages.yml
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+scam-banner: "**⚠️ Beware of Scams**: since Feb 2024, scammers are using [fake Scala websites to sell courses](https://www.scala-lang.org/blog/2024/03/01/fake-scala-courses.html), please check you are using an official source."
diff --git a/_includes/alert-banner.html b/_includes/alert-banner.html
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..46430e07
--- /dev/null
+++ b/_includes/alert-banner.html
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+{% comment %}use the variable 'message' to include markdown text to display in the alert.{% endcomment %}
+
+ {{include.message|markdownify}}