The internet has opened up a world of opportunities for people looking for jobs. However, with the increase in online job search, the risk of falling prey to job scams has also risen. I recently encountered a job scam on WhatsApp, and I would like to share my experience to raise awareness and prevent others from being scammed.
It all started when I received a message from a USA number on WhatsApp, offering me an easy job that involved searching for specific keywords on Google and sending back screenshots of the search results. The person promised to pay me Rs. 150 for each task completed, and referred me to their receptionist, Aileen, on Telegram for further instructions.
I completed the first few tasks and earned Rs. 150, but things took a strange turn when I was added to two more Telegram groups for more tasks. As I completed more tasks, I was offered the opportunity to earn Rs. 38,000 by completing 24 tasks in a day.
However, the real scam was yet to come. During the third task, named the “Exchange Task,” other members of the group started messaging about transferring large amounts of money to each other, claiming that they were inflating the prices of crypto currencies. They then suggested that I transfer Rs. 2000 to participate in the scheme and promised to return the money with a profit.
I started to smell something fishy and decided not to participate until I earned the money myself. However, Aileen insisted that I complete all the tasks and transfer the money to be eligible for the earnings. I did not want to take any risks and eventually, I was removed from the group by Aileen.
Looking back, I realize that I was fortunate to have sensed the danger and not fallen prey to the scam. It is essential to be vigilant when offered easy money-making schemes online. Here are some tips to avoid job scams:
- Be wary of messages or calls from unknown numbers offering jobs.
- Verify the company’s information and authenticity before accepting any job offer.
- Be cautious of schemes promising easy money for minimal effort.
- Never transfer money or share personal information without verifying the authenticity of the scheme or company.
In conclusion, I would like to warn everyone about the risks of job scams and urge them to be cautious while searching for jobs online. Remember that if an opportunity sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Stay safe and keep yourself informed to avoid being scammed.
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