A. M. In a global context marked by the rising cost of living and predictions of a slowdown, it’s understandable that many people are looking for a side hustle or even a new, better-paying job. ESET, a leading proactive threat detection company, warns that scammers know this and are always ready to take advantage.
In 2024, fake job scams reported to the FBI earned fraudsters more than $264 million. Many of these fake jobs offer scams are so-called “task scams”, in which scammers offer a job that involves performing simple tasks, such as providing views to content creators on platforms like YouTube or TikTok, commenting on product posts (for example, on on Amazon or MercadoLibre), and promising tempting earnings.
“It all usually ends with a request to transfer money to the scammers, with the excuse that this step is necessary to “release” the supposed payment. It may seem incredible. But it is easier to fall into the trap than you think, and we have sometimes seen scammers make partial payments to convince the victim that the work is legitimate”, says Camilo Gutiérrez Amaya, Head of the ESET Latin America Research Laboratory.
Task scams are a specific type of job fraud that uses gamification techniques (the use of game dynamics to motivate or manipulate behavior) to deceive victims, and they are on the rise: The FTC recorded 20,000 cases in the first half of 2024 alone, up from 5,000 in all of 2023. They may differ in small details, but operate similarly:
1. Contact is made via an unsolicited text message (WhatsApp, Telegram, etc.), an SMS, or a message on a social media platform.
2. The scammer promises easy money by performing simple online tasks in exchange for good pay. According to the FTC, they may mention “product promotion tasks” or “app optimization,” but generally do not provide many details.
3. Upon signing up, they will ask you to perform mundane tasks, such as “liking” online content or clicking various combinations of buttons on a fake site or app. The site or app itself may even be a fake version of a legitimate website like Temu.
1. You’ll be able to see your “earnings” as you progress through the tasks.
2. Although these earnings will initially increase, there will come a time when the app or the scammer will ask you to “load” or “level up” your account, or to “unlock the earnings” by depositing money into the fund, usually through cryptocurrency.
3. This is what the entire scam is all about. Once the payment is made, the money is gone, and there’s no way to recover those fake earnings.
4. Reports suggest that, to persuade you to hand over cryptocurrency to the scammers, they may invite you to a group chat to hear from colleagues who have managed to earn money this way. In fact, these people are also scammers.
Task scams aren’t the only trick job scammers can play. According to ESET, it’s important to pay attention to the different ways cybercriminals try to get their hands on personal information and/or money:
• Fake job postings (sometimes on legitimate recruitment sites) designed to attract attention and attract applications. They seek personal information and may also request money for fabricated reasons, such as administration, training, police checks, etc.
• Unsolicited messages that arrive in the same way as the “task scam,” but with attractive job opportunities from someone posing as a recruitment agent. They will also try to extort personal information and money.
ESET shares some key points to keep scammers at bay, and shares the main warning signs:
• Never respond to unsolicited job postings. Legitimate recruiters will contact you through the appropriate channels.
• If they contact you after posting a CV on a job site, research the company/agent and look for any online mentions they may have of scams.
• Remember that if a job offer seems too good to be true, it probably is.
• If there’s no formal interview process, that should also raise red flags.
“Falling for a task scam may seem far-fetched, but the truth is that these scams often unfold over several days, and the gamification element can really hook you. It’s not uncommon for some victims to end up losing a fortune. Make sure you’re not one of them”, concludes Gutiérrez Amaya of ESET.
