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Beware of the Task-Based Recruitment Scam – A New Crypto Fraud Targeting Job Seekers

Updated: 3 days ago

Discover how scammers use fake job offers and crypto payments to exploit victims, and how we can help you respond.

Woman at desk looks worried at "Work from Home Opportunity! SCAM" on PC screen. Mood is tense.

Cryptocurrency scams continue to evolve, and one of the latest fraudulent tactics to emerge is the Task-Based Recruitment Scam. This sophisticated scheme specifically targets job seekers, freelancers, and people looking for remote income opportunities, tricking them into depositing cryptocurrency under the promise of task-based earnings.

At Blockchain Insight UK, we specialise in cryptocurrency fraud investigations and support services. We have seen a growing number of victims fall prey to this scam and want to raise awareness to help you stay safe.

How the Task-Based Recruitment Scam Works


The scam typically starts with a friendly message from someone posing as a recruiter, HR manager, or job platform representative. Victims are contacted on platforms such as Telegram, WhatsApp, LinkedIn, or Facebook, offering an easy way to make money by completing small online tasks.


The Offer


Victims are offered payment in cryptocurrency for simple actions like:


  • Liking social media posts

  • Subscribing to YouTube channels

  • Leaving positive reviews

  • Boosting online engagement


The scammer even pays small amounts initially to build trust and convince the victim that the opportunity is real.

The Trap: Prepayment Requirements


Once the victim becomes comfortable, the scam shifts. The fraudster introduces prepayment conditions, requesting:


  • A small cryptocurrency deposit to activate larger tasks

  • A security or membership fee to continue earning

  • A processing fee to withdraw the accumulated earnings


At first, the amounts requested are low, but the scammer gradually increases the financial demands.


The Switch: Withholding Payments


A hooded figure on a computer screen with the text "ERROR: PLEASE DEPOSIT MORE FUNDS" in bold yellow.

When victims attempt to withdraw their crypto earnings, the scammers create obstacles such as:


  • Claims of technical errors

  • Requests for additional payments to unblock funds

  • Demands for VIP membership upgrades

  • Accusations of mistakes and demands to resend payments


These tactics are designed to trap victims into paying repeatedly, using psychological manipulation and fabricated dashboards showing false balances.


Why This Scam Is Effective


The Task-Based Recruitment Scam preys on emotions and uses:


  • Social engineering techniques

  • Small incentives to build trust

  • False urgency and manufactured errors

  • The sunk cost fallacy to keep victims engaged


Many victims only realise the scam after they have lost significant amounts of cryptocurrency.


How to Spot the Red Flags 🚩


If you are approached by someone offering crypto task-based work, watch out for these red flags:


✅ Requests for upfront deposits in cryptocurrency

✅ Increasing “fees” and unexplained charges

✅ Lack of company registration or verified contact details

✅ Pushy, overly friendly communication

✅ Claims of pending payments that require more crypto deposits

✅ Refusal to provide written contracts or official documentation

✅ Fake dashboards without blockchain verification


What To Do If You’ve Been Targeted


If you think you are being targeted by this scam:


  1. Stop communication immediately.

  2. Do not send any further payments.

  3. Keep records of all communication and transactions.

  4. Report the fraud to local authorities and Action Fraud UK.


How We Can Help


At Blockchain Insight, we specialise in cryptocurrency scam investigations and blockchain analysis. We assist individuals who have been targeted by scams like task-based recruitment frauds by providing clear, professional investigative support.


Our services include:


  • Tracing cryptocurrency transactions

  • Preparing detailed investigation reports and evidence packs

  • Supporting case submissions to banks, law enforcement, or regulatory bodies

  • Advising on possible routes to pursue fund recovery

  • Providing education to help you avoid future scams


If you’ve been affected by a crypto scam, contact us today to see how we can support you


Further Reading & Sources



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Registered Office | 71-75 Shelton Street, Covent Garden, London, England, WC2H 9JQ

Address | Tay House, 300 Bath St, Glasgow, Scotland, G2 4JR

We do not provide investment advice or recommendations on cryptocurrencies or any other investment products. Any information or material found on our website, app, or other communications should not be taken as an endorsement of the safety or reliability of cryptocurrencies. If you require personal financial advice or recommendations, please speak to an independent qualified financial adviser. BCI Solutions Ltd (Company No. 15719841) is a consultancy and not a claims management company, legal service provider, or FCA-authorised money recovery firm. We do not directly recover lost funds or provide legal representation. However, we assist with cryptocurrency investigations, tracing transactions, and supporting cases with financial institutions, law enforcement, and regulatory bodies such as the Financial Ombudsman Service, which can help in the recovery of funds.

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