A rise in online job scams targeting vulnerable individuals has been identified by cybersecurity experts at Proofpoint. These scams, known as “job scamming,” have been on the rise and are a new tactic that aims to prey on financially struggling individuals seeking remote work opportunities.
Unlike traditional scams that target individuals with significant investment funds, these job scams target a broader audience by offering enticing remote job opportunities in various industries such as music streaming, product reviews, and hotel ratings. The scammers typically pose as recruiters on messaging apps and social media platforms, luring victims with promises of simple, paid tasks.
Once victims register on fake job portals, they are instructed to complete multiple job actions, such as product ratings or music reviews. However, technical issues arise, preventing them from completing the tasks and leaving them with a negative account balance. To address the balance, victims are urged to make deposits with the promise of unlocking high earning potential. This cycle repeats, with victims losing significant amounts of money to these fraudulent platforms.
Proofpoint’s analysis also uncovered the role of social proof in these scams. Group chats on platforms like Telegram or WhatsApp are used to create the illusion of legitimacy, with other “workers” (often the scammers themselves) sharing success stories to pressure victims into continuing with the scam. Some of these scams have generated over $300,000 in Bitcoin and Ethereum in just a few months, with funds often flowing into larger fraud networks.
Key findings from the report include fake websites impersonating legitimate brands like Temu, TikTok, and the Hotel Association of Canada, maintaining high engagement levels with victims to reinforce commitment to the job, and rapid accumulation of funds by fraudsters through cryptocurrency wallets.
As a defense against these scams, Proofpoint advises caution when receiving unsolicited job offers on any platform and warns against making any payments under any pretext. It is crucial for individuals to remain vigilant and verify the legitimacy of job opportunities before proceeding.