Overview
Scammers promote work-from-home opportunities on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. They typically advertise jobs involving liking videos, reviewing products, or completing simple online tasks. After initial contact on social media, victims are moved to WhatsApp and/or Telegram, where a "mentor," "teacher," or "agent" guides them through what appears to be legitimate work — but is actually a setup to steal money through cryptocurrency transactions.
How the scam works
Initial contact and trust building
Scammers advertise jobs on social media offering easy income for simple tasks like:
Liking TikTok videos
Reviewing products
Promoting content online
Completing basic "tasks"
Victims are contacted through social media after expressing interest, then moved to Telegram and/or Whatsapp where they communicate with someone claiming to be a mentor or agent.
Small payments build trust. Scammers send initial payments of £3–£50 for completed tasks to make the opportunity appear legitimate.
The prepaid task trap
Victims are told they must complete "prepaid tasks" or "investment tasks" to continue earning or unlock their accumulated earnings.
Scammers promise high returns of 30% or more on deposited funds.
Step-by-step guidance is provided to help victims:
Transfer funds to apps like Revolut
Purchase cryptocurrency using services like MoonPay
Send crypto to a wallet controlled by the scammer
Note: Scammers often provide screenshots or live instructions during the process to appear helpful and professional.
Escalation and withdrawal blocks
Each task requires larger deposits than the previous one.
Victims must complete multiple tasks before withdrawals are supposedly allowed.
When victims try to withdraw funds, scammers claim:
The account is frozen
There was a system error
Additional fees or deposits are required to unlock funds
Victims continue depositing money expecting a payout that never arrives, while the cryptocurrency purchased through MoonPay goes directly to scammer-controlled wallets.
Protecting yourself
Never pay upfront for a job opportunity. Legitimate employers don't require you to deposit money to earn wages
Be suspicious of jobs that seem too easy. High pay for simple tasks like liking videos is a major red flag
Don't move conversations off-platform. Scammers use WhatsApp and Telegram to avoid detection by social media security systems
Research the company. Look for reviews and verify the business exists before engaging with any job offer
Never send cryptocurrency to strangers. Once you send crypto, there's no way to recover it
FAQs
What should I do if I've been targeted by this scam?
What should I do if I've been targeted by this scam?
Stop all communication with the scammer immediately. Don't send any more money, and report the account on the platform where you were contacted.
Can I get my money back if I sent cryptocurrency?
Can I get my money back if I sent cryptocurrency?
Unfortunately, cryptocurrency transactions are irreversible. Once you send crypto to a scammer's wallet, it cannot be recovered.
How do I report this scam?
How do I report this scam?
Report the scam to Action Fraud (UK) at actionfraud.police.uk or your local law enforcement. Also, report the accounts on the social media platforms where you encountered them.
Why do scammers use cryptocurrency?
Why do scammers use cryptocurrency?
Cryptocurrency is difficult to trace and impossible to reverse, making it the perfect tool for scammers to steal money without being caught.