Employment & Job Scams
A job offer that seems too good to be true — remote, flexible, high-paying — turns into an advance fee, a reshipping scheme, or a 'task' scam where you're asked to buy things with your own money that you'll 'never get paid back for'.
How it worksThe anatomy of the scam
Every case follows roughly the same playbook. Recognize the pattern, stop it early.
1. Unsolicited job offer
Via LinkedIn, WhatsApp, or a random text. No application required.
2. Quick interview
Often text-only, on Telegram or Signal. No real company conversation.
3. The twist
You're asked to pay for training, equipment, or tools that you'll 'be reimbursed for'.
4. The task scam variant
You're given simple 'product reviews' or 'app testing' tasks. Early tasks pay real money. Later tasks require you to deposit more — and the money never comes back.
Warning signsRed flags to watch for
If you're seeing two or more of these, assume it's a scam until proven otherwise.
Unsolicited offer
You didn't apply.
Text-only interview
No video, no phone, no actual people.
Asked to buy anything
Real employers never ask you to pay to start.
Cryptocurrency payments
Almost all legitimate payroll is in bank transfers.
Protect yourselfDo this. Not that.
✓ Do
Search the company's real website and apply directly through it. If the job isn't listed there, it's fake.
✗ Don't
Never pay for a job.
✓ Do
LinkedIn's company page shows employees — verify the person reaching out actually works there.
✗ Don't
Don't accept packages at home to reship — you're a money mule and it's a felony in most countries.
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