"New Type of Job Scam Targets Financially Vulnerable Populations"

According to security researchers at Proofpoint, there has been a surge in online job scams targeting financially vulnerable individuals.  Known as “job scamming,” this new tactic mirrors the existing “pig butchering” fraud model but aims at a broader audience by preying on job seekers looking for remote, flexible work.  The researchers noted that while pig butchering scams typically focus on individuals with significant investment funds, these job scams seek smaller, faster payouts from financially struggling targets.  The researchers found that these scams are initiated through messaging apps and social media platforms.  Fraudsters often pose as recruiters, offering enticing remote job opportunities in industries like music streaming, product reviews, and even hotel ratings.  The scam unfolds as victims are prompted to register on a fake job portal with the promise of simple, paid tasks.  Once registered, the victim is instructed to complete numerous “job” actions, such as product ratings or music reviews, before encountering technical issues that halt task completion and leave them with a negative account balance.  The researchers noted that the scammers encourage the victim to make a deposit to address the balance, suggesting that doing so will unlock high earning potential.  This process repeats, with victims often losing hundreds or thousands of dollars to the fake platforms.  The researchers said that the groups behind the job scams usually chat on platforms like Telegram or WhatsApp, further reinforcing the illusion of legitimacy. 

Infosecurity Magazine reports: "New Type of Job Scam Targets Financially Vulnerable Populations"