Job task scams, also commonly referred to as mission scams, are a type of investment scam where a fraudster presents their victim with an online, often commission-based, role. These jobs offer flexibility and work-from-home hours, making them attractive to those seeking extra earnings.
In today’s challenging cost-of-living crisis, many seek additional income through side hustles and investment opportunities. Sadly, the promise of quick profits makes people more susceptible to online scams.
One CEL client, Rachael (name changed for anonymity), fell victim to such a job task scam. After contacting CEL Solicitors, she was able to recover £7,995.
How the job task scam occurred
Rachael, a 26-year-old account manager, was contacted by the scammer via Telegram, who claimed to be from Trivago, a well-known hotel comparison site. The fraudster offered her a business opportunity to promote and advertise tourist destinations globally in exchange for payment.
Won over by the opportunity to earn some extra income, Rachael provided her details to the scammer who helped her set up an account. She was then added to a group chat with people who supposedly worked for the company. In it, they would frequently share testimonials and tips on how to earn more money, adding further legitimacy to the scam.
Initially, Rachael deposited £15 into the platform and was able to withdraw £86 back into her bank account – proving that this was a legitimate scheme. Or so she thought.
This is a common tactic used by scammers, whereby they will at first allow the victim to withdraw more than they have invested to make it appear as though they can withdraw their funds freely. This false sense of security led Rachael to deposit larger amounts, believing she was making a sound investment.
As she began to see the funds increasing in her account, Rachael requested another withdrawal from the scammer, who then informed her that she would need to pay a fee. When she refused, the scammers became hostile and threatened her, stating they had her personal information, including her address, and insisted she pay the money immediately.
At this point, it became evident to Rachael that she had fallen victim to a cruel job task scam.
Tell CEL
After discovering that she was defrauded, Rachael contacted CEL Solicitors specialist fraud and scam department. They were able to recover £7,995 of her lost money.
Commenting on the case, trainee solicitor, Claudia Jenkins, said:
“We are seeing a huge increase in clients who are falling victim to job task scams.
“Fraudsters are targeting vulnerable individuals looking to secure additional income for personal circumstances.
“They create a false sense of security by refunding the victim a small sum of money in the initial stages of the scam, leading them to believe that the job is legitimate.
“Using the names of reputable companies such as Trivago adds to the credibility of the scam, so it is important to conduct thorough checks before interacting with any company online.”
