Job scam warning: Fraudsters on WhatsApp and Telegram preying on users with fabricated job opportunities requests
In the digital age, it's essential to stay vigilant against online scams, especially those that have recently surfaced on popular messaging platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram. These platforms are now being used to lure unsuspecting individuals with promises of easy money for simple tasks. Here are some common red flags to identify these scams:
- Unsolicited cold messages offering jobs or tasks, especially if you never applied or showed interest.
- Promises of high or too-good-to-be-true pay for very easy or unusual tasks like liking videos, adding items to carts, or sharing links.
- Requests for advance payment or investment before receiving any task or earnings, often framed as “VIP” access fees; once you pay, scammers block you or disappear.
- Payment methods that are untraceable or irreversible, such as cryptocurrency, PayPal, Venmo, gift cards, or wire transfers.
- Fake or generic recruiter profiles, with inconsistent or AI-generated images, mismatched display names/handles, recently created accounts with little activity, or fake contact details not matching official company information.
- No official job contracts, real company info, or formal communication channels, only polished chats or fake dashboards designed to earn trust.
- Pressure tactics or a sense of urgency, pushing you to act quickly, provide personal info, or send money.
- Sharing of fake earnings screenshots or testimonials designed to lure you into believing the scheme works.
- Communication exclusively via chat apps without verifiable identity or company backing.
- Avoid sharing sensitive data such as bank information, OTPs, or installing unknown apps linked by the scammers.
- Suspicious group chats or “giveaways” with admins having no profiles, renamed groups, or bots pushing scams.
- Additional caution about clicking suspicious links or downloading files from unknown senders to avoid malware risks.
To protect yourself, experts recommend never paying upfront fees, verifying recruiter identities through official company channels, and reporting suspicious contacts to cybercrime authorities. Using verified platforms like LinkedIn or company career pages is safer for job searches than social messaging apps.
Recent detailed analyses of active scams in WhatsApp and Telegram as of mid-2025 have revealed that these scams often impersonate legitimate firms, do not provide formal job contracts or emails, and use polished websites and conduct mock interviews. One tragic example is a 25-year-old private bank employee from Gujarat named Sorathia who died by suicide after losing Rs 28 lakh in such a scam.
It's crucial to remember that if a job offer seems too good to be true, it probably is. Always exercise caution, verify information, and avoid sharing sensitive data to stay safe online.
- In the digital age, it's not just smartphones that require our attention; cybersecurity awareness is key, especially when it comes to detecting scams on platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram.
- For those seeking education-and-self-development opportunities, be wary of job offers promising quick money for simple tasks, as they may be part of a crime-and-justice scheme.
- General news headlines highlight the need for diligence in the technology-driven world we live in, with cases like the unfortunate incident of Sorathia, a private bank employee who lost a significant sum to an online scam, serving as a stark reminder.
