Task scams cost jobseekers millions as Trend Micro warns of surge

Trend Micro has published an investigative report detailing the structure and evolution of a rapidly growing online fraud operation known as "task scams" that is deceiving job seekers through trusted digital channels.

Fraudulent job models

The report reveals how scammers are exploiting communication platforms such as WhatsApp, SMS, and Telegram to pose as legitimate recruiters, drawing victims with the promise of genuine online job tasks and commissions. These fraudulent operations prompt targets to complete simple online activities, then pressure them to make increasing financial deposits - often resulting in losses ranging from several hundred to thousands of pounds.

Analysing global patterns, Trend Micro identified that criminal groups are registering hundreds of domains through high-risk registrars in order to impersonate legitimate businesses, including well-known staffing firms and marketing agencies. The use of fake websites, combined with professional-sounding communications, helps scammers achieve credibility with their victims.

Gamification and psychological strategies

One of the more notable trends highlighted in the report is the employment of gamification techniques by scam platforms. These platforms often incorporate features such as VIP user levels, achievement incentives, and commission streaks to encourage greater engagement and commitment from victims, analogous to the psychological triggers leveraged in gambling.

Victims commonly report a significant emotional toll, with some describing their engagement with scam platforms as being reminiscent of gambling addiction. In addition to direct monetary losses, these psychological impacts have been described as among the most harmful effects felt by individuals targeted in such operations.

Cryptocurrency laundering and financial scale

According to Trend Micro's forensic analysis, cryptocurrency plays a central role in these scams, providing an anonymous method of transferring funds and facilitating international money laundering. In one case, a single identified cryptocurrency wallet received more than $187,000 in under two months. Another wallet investigated saw over $1.2 million in transactions linked to task scam activities.

With millions transferred via digital wallets, tracking and recovering funds proves exceptionally difficult once victims have been defrauded. These findings are based on direct engagements with scammers and in-depth mapping of the infrastructure used to support such operations.

Victim awareness and organisational response

Trend Micro's study of over 6,500 consumers globally found that 39% only became aware that they had been victims of a scam after suffering substantial financial loss. This highlights both the sophistication of current scam tactics and a significant gap in public awareness.

"Task scams are now one of the most financially and psychologically damaging cybercrime threats individuals face today. The infrastructure enabling them, from domain registrars to SMS blasting services, requires immediate attention. Meanwhile, organizations can reduce risk by making their recruitment practices transparent and educating job seekers on how to identify legitimate communications," said Robert McArdle, Director of Forward Threat Research at Trend.

The research also notes that some task scam operations may be connected to wider criminal enterprises, including forced scam labour and, in certain cases, human trafficking in Southeast Asia. However, Trend Micro states that such links are not confirmed in all cases investigated.

Industry tools and protection

To address the growing risk, Trend Micro has released ScamCheck with Scam Radar, a tool designed to help users identify scam tactics and alert them in real time as threats occur. This tool is intended to empower users to recognise and avoid scams before financial harm can take place.

The comprehensive report, titled Unmasking Task Scams, offers detailed forensic evidence and offers recommendations for both individuals and organisations to safeguard against deceptive job scam operations. The company stresses that proactive education and heightened transparency from legitimate employers are essential steps to counter the spread of such fraud models.