oBlue UT You will receive a call or text offering you a job opportunity. It seems enticing – it’s remote work, and you can potentially earn £800 daily. If you’re interested, just reach out to the sender through the provided WhatsApp number.
The tasks are quite simple. Typically, you’re asked to engage with TikTok content through likes and shares.
“Once you start liking and sharing, you’ll get a small payout. However, this is fraudulent funding tied to individuals involved in scams,” remarks Annya Burskys, head of fraud prevention at the National Building Association. “Then, you might be told that you need to pay a total to unlock greater profits, which could be framed as a training fee.
“Part of that money is used to compensate other victims, leading some into organized crime syndicates.”
Burskys highlights that this initial outreach is particularly enticing for many, especially students.
“We’re noticing an uptick in incidents, particularly within the 16-25 age group,” she says. “Previously, we didn’t receive such reports daily, but now we hear from individuals who have sent money or from banks alerting us about funds transferred to these accounts.”
In some instances, the victim might inadvertently become a “money mule.”
Beyond sharing funds or account details, victims may later discover that their bank and identity information have been exploited for additional fraud.
Typically, victims incur losses amounting to hundreds or thousands of pounds. “It’s far from a good deal. The concern lies in the volume,” she explains. “Events unfold swiftly. From initiation to the realization that you’ve been scammed, an investment fraud can occur over mere months or even years.”
As academic institutions close for the summer, students seeking employment should be cautious of potential scams.
What does fraud look like?
The £800 figure frequently appears in correspondence related to the scam. You will be prompted to contact via WhatsApp. Photo: Guardian
Messages often claim to originate from recruitment agencies, sometimes using legitimate company names or stating availability of work through TikTok. Some texts even reference your CV as if you’d submitted it. They promise earnings of hundreds of pounds daily (the £800 figure is a recurring theme).
Calls may bear similarities too. In a recent week, an automated voice falsely claimed to represent a recruitment agency, instructing recipients to contact via WhatsApp if interested in the job. The associated phone number typically appears as a regular UK mobile.
Some scams reference your CV as if you had submitted it. Photo: Guardian
What the message asks for
The initial message will prompt you to express interest in the position. The scammer will claim it involves work related to sharing content preferences (likely TikTok videos). When you register or when it’s time for payment, you may be asked for more personal information.
You might receive an initial “payment,” but then you will be requested to cover costs for training or to unlock access to higher earnings.
What to do
Be cautious of unsolicited messages that claim to offer job opportunities. This approach is not typical for genuine recruitment agencies. The agency asserts, “In fact, we don’t utilize our platform to directly contact job seekers for our employers to acquire new employees.”
Burskys recommends that if you receive messages from recruiters or companies offering jobs, investigate by “using the company’s home and researching on LinkedIn.” A company’s home page may provide insights into its operations, directors, and details regarding their legitimacy.
If you know the name of the employer, visit their site to see if the position is advertised.
In the UK, reports of fraudulent messages can be forwarded to 7726.
Numerous recruiters provide advice on safely conducting your job search, such as these tips.
Source: www.theguardian.com
