Beware: Job Scammers Promise £800 a Day – But It’s a Trap!
Introduction: The Allure of Easy Money
Imagine getting a text or call out of nowhere, offering you a job where you can earn up to £800 a day just by liking and sharing videos on TikTok. It sounds like a dream, especially for students or anyone looking for quick cash. But here’s the catch: it’s likely a scam designed to trick you into losing money. These fraudsters use the promise of easy money to lure people into a trap that can cost hundreds or even thousands of pounds.
In this guide, we’ll break down how this scam works, who it targets, the risks involved, and how you can protect yourself. Whether you’re a school student looking for part-time work or a professional seeking flexible opportunity, this information will help you stay safe in today’s digital world. We’ll also share real-life examples, including stories from India, to show how these scams affect people globally.
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What is the Scam?
This job scam starts with an unsolicited call or text message, often claiming to come from a recruitment agency like Tribe HR or even a well-known platform like or TikTok. The message might say they’ve seen your CV or that you’ve been recommended for a job, making it seem legitimate. Here’s how it unfolds:
- Initial Contact: You receive a text or call from an unknown number, offering a remote job with high pay—up to £800 a day. They ask you to reply via WhatsApp for more details.
- The Job: The task sounds simple: like and share content on TikTok or other social media platforms. To build trust, scammers may send a small payment (e.g., £5-£10) after you complete a few tasks.
- The Trap: After you’re hooked, they claim you need to pay a fee—often for “training” or to “unlock higher earnings.”
- Further Exploitation: Some victims are asked to transfer funds for the scammers, making them “money mules”—people who unknowingly move illegal money, which is a crime. Scammers may also steal your bank or identity details for other frauds.
According to Annya Burskys, head of fraud operations at Nationwide Building Society, “After you’ve started liking and sharing content, you receive a small payment, which is fraudulent funds from other people involved in the scam.
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Who Are the Targets?
Scammers often target students, particularly those aged 16-25, because they’re more likely to be looking for part-time or flexible work. Reports indicate multiple cases daily among this age group, as they may be less experienced in spotting scams and more tempted by the promise of quick cash
Young people facing financial pressures, such as tuition fees or living expenses, are especially vulnerable. The idea of earning a high income with minimal effort is hard to resist, but it’s exactly what scammers exploit.
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The Risks Involved
Falling for this scam can have serious consequences:
- Financial Losses: Victims often lose hundreds or thousands of pounds. In some cases, the scam unfolds within days, making it hard to recover funds.
- Becoming a Money Mule: A money mule is someone who transfers illegally obtained money for others. This is a crime and can lead to legal trouble, even if you didn’t know the money was fraudulent.
- Identity Theft: Scammers may use your bank or personal details for further fraud, putting your financial security at risk.
- Emotional Impact: Victims often feel betrayed and distressed. For example, Bella Betterton, an 18-year-old who lost £3,000 to a similar scam, described feeling “attacked” and “distraught” (BBC News).
The financial impact is significant, with reported losses in the UK jumping from £20,000 to nearly £1 million in a single year (BBC News).
Why Do People Fall for These Scams?
Understanding the psychology behind these scams can help you stay cautious. Here are some reasons people get tricked:
- Desire for Easy Money: The promise of high pay for simple tasks is tempting, especially during financial hardship.
- Trust in Familiar Platforms: Since the job involves platforms like TikTok, which many people use daily, it feels legitimate.
- Social Proof: Small initial payments or fake testimonials make the scam seem trustworthy.
- Fear of Missing Out (FOMO): Scammers create urgency with phrases like “limited quota” to pressure quick decisions.
- Lack of Awareness: Younger individuals or those new to the job market may not recognize common scam tactics.
By recognizing these tactics, you can pause and evaluate offers more critically.
Protecting yourself from job scams requires vigilance. Here are actionable steps to stay safe:
- Be Cautious of Unsolicited Messages: If you get a job offer you didn’t apply for, treat it with suspicion. Legitimate employers rarely contact candidates this way for high-paying jobs.
- Research the Company: Verify the company on Companies House or LinkedIn. Be wary if there’s little online presence or if the company seems newly created.
- Check Job Listings: Look for the job on the company’s official website or trusted job boards like Legitimate jobs are advertised publicly.
- Never Pay to Work: Legitimate employers don’t ask for payment for training, equipment, or job access.
- Protect Personal Information: Don’t share bank details, ID, or other sensitive information until you’ve verified the employer.
- Report Suspicious Messages: In the UK, forward scam texts to 7726 to report them to your mobile provider. You can also report to
has clarified that they “never contact jobseekers directly by phone on behalf of employers using our platform” If you receive such a call, it’s likely fraudulent.
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Table: Common Red Flags of Job Scams
| Red Flag | Description | Action to Take |
|---|---|---|
| Unsolicited Contact | Job offers via unexpected calls, texts, or WhatsApp messages | Ignore and report to authorities |
| Too-Good-to-Be-True Pay | Promises of high earnings for simple tasks | Verify the job on official platforms |
| Payment Requests | Asked to pay for training, equipment, or job access | Walk away; legitimate jobs don’t require payment |
| Vague Job Details | Lack of clear job description or company information | Research the company thoroughly |
| Pressure to Act Quickly | Urgency like “limited quota” or “today only” | Take time to evaluate the offer |
If you’ve fallen victim to a job scam, act quickly to minimize damage:
- Stop Communication: Cut off all contact with the scammers immediately.
- Contact Your Bank: Alert your bank if you’ve shared financial details or made payments. They may help secure your accounts or recover funds.
- Report to Authorities: In the UK, report to. In India, contact your local police or cybercrime cell.
- Change Passwords: Update passwords for any accounts you shared details with.
- Monitor Accounts: Check bank statements and credit reports for unauthorized activity.
- Seek Support: Scams can be emotionally taxing.
These scams aren’t limited to the UK. In India, similar schemes target job seekers through social media platforms like Instagram, Telegram, and WhatsApp. Victims are promised money for tasks like liking posts or following accounts, only to be asked for fees later.
For example, in Pune, India, an IT professional named Avinash lost Rs 20.32 lakh after being lured by a WhatsApp message offering a part-time job liking social media posts. After receiving small payments, he was asked to invest more to access higher earnings, only to realize it was a scam (India Today).
Another case involved Anuj, a manual tester in New Delhi, who was offered a job by someone claiming to be from Nielsen Media India. He earned $15 initially for following Instagram accounts but lost money when asked to pay for further tasks (Rest of World). These stories highlight the global nature of these scams and the need for awareness.
Relatable Example: Ramesh, a teacher from a small village in India, received a WhatsApp message offering a part-time job to like and share social media posts. Excited to earn extra income, he completed tasks and received a small payment. But when asked to pay a fee to “unlock” higher earnings, he realized it was a scam, losing a significant amount. Ramesh’s story shows how scammers exploit trust and financial needs.
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Job scams promising high earnings for minimal work are on the rise, targeting vulnerable groups like students in the UK, India, and beyond. By understanding how these scams work—unsolicited contacts, small payments to build trust, and demands for fees—you can protect yourself. Always verify job offers, never pay to work, and report suspicious messages.
Share this guide with friends and family to spread awareness and help prevent others from falling victim.
Actionable CTA: Have you received a suspicious job offer? In the UK, forward scam texts to 7726. In India, report to your local cybercrime cell. For more tips on staying safe, visit or download our free scam prevention checklist [insert link to downloadable resource].
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