Employment scams are on the rise. Scammers are creating misleading schemes to tempt innocent victims into disclosing their personal information, resulting in the loss of their hard-earned money. And this time, they are doing it through WhatsApp.
The post-Covid phase has not been kind, especially to job seekers. The recent mass layoffs by some of the biggest names in the tech industry, like Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Yahoo, Zoom and more, have added to the problem.
Scammers are exploiting this vulnerable situation and indulging in employment scams by posing as recruiters, managers.
While many have fallen victim to this ongoing racket being conducted, majorly through WhatsApp, some were alert enough to spot the fraudulency and avoid being a victim.
Such employment scams are also being run through other social media platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, and Telegram.
The Cyber Express reviewed multiple incidents where individuals received texts linked to these employment scams, WhatsApp fraud and more.
Job seekers easy target in employment scams
This person claimed to be the part of OMD advertising and marketing media company, which is fake.
These people target people who are actively looking for a job,” read the caption of a post shared by a LinkedIn user, who shared her ordeal on the employment-focused social media platform.
In another incident, the individual received an offer for a “work from home” opportunity that paid a daily salary between 2000-9000.
The message, which was sent on WhatsApp, was shared along with a link for the individual to click on.
Many such employment scams and WhatsApp fraud incidents involve both auto-generated chatbot interactions and those with scammers, who often pose as recruiters or managers to offer part-time jobs at moderately to well known organizations.
Employment scams: How does a scammer approach you?
Most of the scammers will contact victims via WhatsApp. They pose as a representative of an organization that provides part-time promotional work and offers an attractive pay range for this task.
They provide work that includes liking, commenting, and subscribing to their clients’ YouTube channels. They also claim that it is an easy activity that can be completed quickly and that the remuneration is competitive.
The scammers will ask you for personal information, such as your name, email address, and phone number, to apply for the job. They can also need your bank information so they can transfer the money.
The scammers will offer you a link to a YouTube video or channel that needs to be promoted after they have your details.
You will be prompted to like, subscribe, and comment favorably on the video. When you finish the task, they will immediately send you the promised reward to gain your trust.
What are the signs to be aware of employment scams, WhatsApp fraud?
When it comes to the part-time promotional job scams, there are a few warning signs to watch out for. First off, it’s a dead giveaway that something is a fraud when it promises huge income with little work.
Second, scammers substitute general work names like “part-time promoter” or “digital marketing associate” for detailed job descriptions.
Thirdly, scammers will request bank account information and personal information up front, which is rare for a job application.
Finally, scammers could put pressure on you to finish the duties quickly so you can get the prize.
What action should you take when you encounter such activity?
If you encounter such a scam, it’s essential to be vigilant and report the incident to the relevant authorities. Don’t tell anyone your private information, like your name, address, phone number, or bank details.
You can report the scam to the cybercrime police in your area or contact your bank to block any suspicious transactions.
It’s also important to spread awareness about such scams and educate others on how to identify and avoid them.
In short, the part-time promotional job scam is a prevalent cyber fraud that preys on people’s desire to earn quick money.
By being vigilant and knowing the red flags, you can protect yourself from falling victim to such scams. Always keep in mind that if something looks too perfect or easy to be real, then it is most likely a scam.