eCash (xec) 
Crypto scammers are using fake advertisements on TikTok to target job seekers, leading to significant financial losses. Recently, a Leicester man was defrauded of £6,000 (approximately $7,620) in crypto payments after being lured by fraudsters promising a lucrative employment opportunity.
The scam was revealed by a report that detailed how the victim encountered an advertisement in early August offering work with “no experience needed.” The job was titled “data provider user” with a company called Clickaine, marketed as an “international app marketing firm.”
Clickaine, a Czech marketing company, was used in the scam without its knowledge. The firm has denied any involvement in the fraudulent scheme.
The scam unfolded when the fraudsters contacted the victim via WhatsApp, posing as recruiters. They offered a monthly salary of up to £4,650 (approximately $5,800), plus commission for just an hour of work daily, with the wage to be paid in USDT. The victim was then asked to open an account with the cryptocurrency exchange Crypto.com.
Although the job involved completing simple online tasks, the unusual requirement was that the victim make a cryptocurrency payment before each task. The scammers provided a specific wallet address for the deposits, which were necessary to start the task and were supposed to be refunded along with a commission.
Initially, the victim’s experience seemed promising. He made small crypto deposits, completed his tasks, and received returns along with a commission, giving him a false sense of security.
“The deposits escalated from £30 initially to as high as £8,000. As soon as the larger deposits were made, the funds were not returned.”
After sharing his experience on TikTok, many other alleged victims reached out with similar stories, indicating that the incident was not isolated.
Despite TikTok’s community guidelines prohibiting such fraudulent activities, crypto scammers continue to prey on unsuspecting users. Last year, reports indicated a rise in fake crypto giveaways, with scammers using deepfake videos of celebrities like Elon Musk to mislead users.
These scams are not limited to TikTok. Platforms like Facebook and X are also plagued by fraudulent activities. For instance, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission recently identified over 600 misleading ads that promoted crypto scams.
Earlier this year, a blockchain security firm warned about a surge in phishing links posted by accounts mimicking genuine crypto-focused projects on various platforms.
Stay informed and vigilant to avoid falling victim to such scams. For more updates and news on cryptocurrency, investing, and finance, explore more on Global Crypto News.
