Job scams are on the rise. Scammers trick victims into giving up money, personal details, or financial information by offering unsolicited job opportunities. They often promise easy work, high pay, or “guaranteed” ways to make fast income — all designed to lure you in and take advantage.

Defrauding Trick

During the pandemic-driven downturn, scammers targeted job seekers looking for extra income. The ADCC found fraudsters posting fake job ads via SMS, social media and messaging apps.

These ads recruited "likers" or "operators" with ads citing “no experience needed”, “work from home” and “high pay.” To stay hidden, scammers provided only a social media account or messaging app as their contact info.

Our Advice

• Be extremely cautious if a recruitment ad claims to offer quick money with no skills or experience needed.
• Think twice if a potential employer does not disclose their company information in the recruitment ad, or only provides a social media account or messaging app as their contact info.
• Do not let strangers or employers use your bank account, and do not apply for a loan in your name for your employer.
• Remind friends and relatives to stay vigilant.
• If you suspect that you have fallen prey to a scam, please call the Anti-Scam Helpline on 18222.

Defrauding Trick

Recently, there have been many online job postings for “click farmers.” The ads recruit workers to boost online sales by shopping, with commissions paid based on spending. Victims are lured with promises of “high pay”, “no experience needed” and “work from home”.

Victims are told to add items to their carts, send screenshots and deposit money into a personal bank account that is unrelated to the shopping platform. Initially, scammers reimburse the amount and pay a commission to build trust. Once victims invest more, the scammers disappear with the money.

Our Advice

• If a job asks for advance payment, guarantees money before you start working, or claims to recruit click farmers/operators/likers, it is probably a scam.
• Think twice if a potential employer does not disclose their company information in the recruitment ad, or only provides a social media account or messaging app as their contact info.
• Remind friends and relatives to stay vigilant.
• If you suspect that you have fallen prey to a scam, please call the Anti-Scam Helpline on 18222.