Paying to get paid: gamified job scams drive record losses
Scammers pose as employers and offer easy online work involving simple tasks like liking videos or rating images. They trick victims into depositing money to unlock fake earnings that never existed.
You receive an unexpected text or WhatsApp offering vague online work with buzzwords like product boosting or app optimization. The scammer directs you to an app where you complete simple repetitive tasks and see fake earnings grow with each click. After a few small real payouts build your trust, the app demands a deposit to unlock your next task set or withdraw your supposed earnings. You deposit money expecting to get it back plus commission, but the earnings shown in the app are fake and your deposit is gone.
- Unexpected text or WhatsApp message offering a job with no specifics
- Work involves liking videos, rating images, or clicking buttons
- App shows earnings growing with every click or task completed
- You receive small payouts at first to build trust
- System demands a deposit to unlock earnings or complete the next set
- Scammer invites you to a group chat where fake workers share success stories
Do not deposit any money to unlock earnings or complete tasks. Hang up or ignore unsolicited job offers by text or WhatsApp. Real employers contact you through official channels with a specific job title and company name, never by random text. If you have already deposited money, stop immediately and report the scam to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to your bank or payment provider.