Fake Job Scams Lure Victims with Cryptocurrency 'Earnings'

• Job Scams
• Cryptocurrency Fraud
• Online Safety

Scammers are posing as recruiters on social media and messaging apps to steal money and personal data via fake crypto job schemes.

Fake Job Offers Target Aussies on Social Media and Messaging Apps

Scammers are targeting job seekers by posting fake job ads on platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, and Telegram. These deceptive job offers often claim you can earn good money by completing simple online tasks in just a few hours each day—with no qualifications required.

How the Scam Works

These scams usually start with an unsolicited message on social media or messaging apps. The scammer may pose as a recruiter or supervisor and ask you to apply for an easy online job. You're then invited to a messaging app such as WhatsApp, Telegram, or Signal for further instructions.

Once you engage, the scammer helps you set up a cryptocurrency wallet and create an account on a scam website. They’ll ask for personal documents like your Medicare card, driver’s licence, or passport under the guise of job verification.

Too Good to Be True Job Offers

Scammers claim you can:

• Work from home with flexible hours
• Earn high commissions for easy, repetitive tasks
• Start without any experience or qualifications

To build trust, they’ll pay a small amount in cryptocurrency after the first round of tasks, making the scam seem legitimate.

The Real Trap: 'Recharge' Requests

As the scheme progresses, you’ll be asked to deposit your own money to “top up” your crypto account in order to receive your supposed earnings. You may also be offered “special” high-paying tasks that require even larger deposits.

Scammers manipulate fake dashboards on their websites to show inflated earnings and commissions, encouraging you to invest more. But despite the appearance of increasing wealth, you’ll never be able to withdraw any of your funds.

Fake Support Communities

To further the illusion, scammers might add you to a group chat where other “employees” boast about their success and earnings. These chats are often filled with bots and other scammers pretending to be happy workers, posting fake screenshots of their payouts.

How to Stay Safe

• Be suspicious of unsolicited job offers, especially on social media and messaging apps.
• Never share personal documents unless you’ve verified the legitimacy of the employer.
• Don’t set up crypto wallets or transfer money at the request of someone online claiming to be a recruiter.
• If it sounds too good to be true—like earning big money for simple tasks—it probably is.
• Report job scams to Scamwatch and stop all communication with the scammer immediately.

Always do your due diligence before accepting a job offer, especially if it involves cryptocurrency or personal information. Stay informed and protect yourself from employment-related scams that prey on those seeking flexible online work.