The most widely used messaging platform is also used to carry out different types of scams. In recent times, there has been an increase in scams related to jobs that actually seek to validate data or steal money.
Typically, the user is invited to a WhatsApp group, where the proposal is detailed, saying that they are looking to increase likes and comments related to videos or products. To give more validity to the proposal, other users of the group immediately appear commenting on why it is worth accepting it. They give examples of how they have already started earning commissions and now have an extra income.
Below are some examples disclosed by ESET that are circulating on WhatsApp to help identify the strategies used by malicious actors in this type of scam, and to avoid becoming a new victim.
As you will see below, online shopping platforms that are already well-known by users are widely used by cybercriminals to carry out their scams.
Amazon
Here you can see how a supposed receptionist of the world-famous company Amazon contacts a person, without even knowing his name, to start working through a commission format.
Free market
The name Mercado Libre has a great reputation, which is why it is also used by cyber attackers to generate interest in their potential victims, with high salaries and minimal effort.
In these cases, the alleged recruiter seeks to generate trust by proving her relationship with Mercado Libre through a supposed employee code and a photo of the credential.
Another very common aspect of this type of scam is that the hiring requirements for the supposed job are really minimal.
Temu
This platform is becoming increasingly popular and is therefore also a source of false job offers. On the one hand, you can see how the supposed recruiter asks for an initial deposit of money from the victim; on the other hand, the message received, supposedly from a «recruiter», contains a link to a platform to start working. In these two cases, we see how Temu is once again the chosen excuse, taking advantage of its growing popularity in the region.
Shein
The online sales platform present in 150 countries around the world is also used to carry out scams. And with a well-known formula: part-time work and high income.
As is usual in these scams, the system of supposed rewards for commissions is present again. This time, under the promise of working for Shein.
Berksha
This clothing chain, whose headquarters are in Spain, is also used as a bait. In this case, it is striking, for example, that the messages appear as Forwarded.
Big brands
Internationally renowned brands are also used by cybercriminals to offer supposed jobs, with minimal requirements and substantial profits. Below we share some examples.
In this case we see how the social network created by Mark Zuckerberg is used to attract the attention of potential victims. The salary reward is very substantial, while the requirements to carry out the task are zero.
Tik Tok
This example uses the well-known social network and significant earnings to attract the attention of its victims. The supposed job? Following specific brands.
YouTube
This example shows how YouTube also serves as a lure to offer supposedly tempting job offers, with good pay and that in theory only require a click.
Google Maps
As is usual in this type of scam, scammers seek to generate interest with a supposed part-time job on Google Maps , with the promise of earning easy money from a mobile device, dedicating just a few minutes a day.
Job offer platforms are also joining in
Job recruiters are often used by malicious actors to trick their victims into offering part-time jobs with really significant earnings, as we share with concrete examples.
SnagaJob
In these two examples we see how the scammer impersonates the well-known job recruiter, with the promise that a simple job will represent substantial earnings, on the one hand; and, in the second example, how they also use SnagaJob as a lure to spread a proposal to supposedly work to increase the views of «celebrities» social media profiles.
ZipRecruiter
Here you can see how the market-leading online employment company is also used for a scam, which promises part-time employment and extremely tempting earnings.
Knowing these examples is very useful to be aware of the new strategies that cybercriminals use when finding new victims.
At the same time, paying attention to the various warning signs that are usually identifiable in these types of messages with supposed job offers is also very important. Especially considering that large brands and organizations do not usually contact you via WhatsApp to present their job offers.
Perhaps the best advice always has to come from common sense. You are not that special, nor that lucky. If it is too good to be true, it is best to bet that it is not and unsubscribe from that group before moderating its digital bait.
