Job Offer Scam on WhatsApp and Telegram: How to Avoid It
Fake recruiters target job seekers on WhatsApp and Telegram with too-good-to-be-true "jobs". Here's how to unmask them before you lose time or money.
The typical scenario
A "recruiter" contacts you about a very well-paid position you can do from home. After a few enthusiastic exchanges, you're asked to pay for a "training", a "starter kit", or to "top up an account" to prove your seriousness. The money paid never comes back.
A very common variant since 2024: the "paid task" scam. You're asked to like TikTok videos, rate hotels on Booking, or "validate" Amazon products. For the first few days, you're actually paid €5 to €20 to build trust. Then you're offered a "VIP pack" for €100, €500, or €1,000 to "unlock higher earnings". Once you pay, nothing more comes.
These scams target students, recent graduates, and people changing careers. The more attractive the promise (remote work, flexible hours, high income), the more caution is needed.
Warning signs
- Offer received via WhatsApp or Telegram, without you having applied.
- Very high salary for '1 to 2 hours of work per day'.
- Interview only through text messages, never on video or by phone.
- Request for 'training fees', 'equipment', or a paid 'loyalty test'.
- Request for your ID documents (ID card, passport, bank details) very early in the conversation.
- Bizarre task: 'like videos', 'rate hotels', 'top up an account'.
The right reflexes
- Golden rule: a real employer NEVER asks a candidate for money.
- Search for the company on Google and LinkedIn: no serious website = no job.
- Ask for an official video interview. Refusal = scam.
- Don't hand over your ID documents before a signed contract.
- Report the account on the platform and warn your contacts.
Not sure about an offer received by message?
Paste the message into our tool and get a verdict in seconds.
Check a suspicious messageUne personne sur deux a déjà reçu ce type de message. Partagez avant qu'elle ne tombe dans le piège.
Envoyer ce guide sur WhatsAppSee also: Telegram scam · All scam types