An emerging job scam is becoming more prevalent in the Netherlands.
Through messaging programs such as WhatsApp, con artists take advantage of individuals by offering them straightforward online tasks that pay well. Then they get them to “validate their bank details” by charging them an upfront fee.
According to the Fraud Helpdesk, this job scam has resulted in a total of over 330,000 euros worth of financial harm in the Netherlands so far this year. This is in comparison to the 215,000 euros that were caused throughout the year 2023.
Recently, the con artist has been known to add individuals to WhatsApp groups and pretend to be an employee of a company. Such as the Airbnb promotion team, in order to commit fraudulent acts.
They offer customers the opportunity to accomplish straightforward tasks. For example, liking three different listings on Airbnb, for a fee of ten euros for each successful completion.
Occasionally, the con artist will pay out the recompense in Bitcoin in order to win the victim’s trust. Tanya van Wijngaarde, who works for the Fraud Help Desk, stated that con artists can use a false page to give the impression that a payout is ready to be sent to them.
A few simple chores are completed, and the con artist then tells the victim that the simple tasks are finished. But that they may join a more extended assignment for a daily fee of one hundred to two hundred euros.
On numerous occasions, the victim is given the instruction to sign up for a group on Telegram.
