In today’s digital age, scams have become increasingly sophisticated, and even the most cautious individuals can fall prey to cleverly disguised traps. As scammers continuously refine their techniques to bypass traditional warning signs, the digital landscape has become a breeding ground for deception.
A recent incident involving a Melbourne man is a stark reminder of the perils lurking in seemingly innocuous text messages.
Emanuel Dawaad, a 23-year-old on a hunt for job opportunities, is particularly interested in remote work that could offer flexibility and a decent income. So when he received a text message that appeared to be from a reputable job search website, offering him a remote job, it seemed like the perfect fit.
‘Hello, sorry to bother you! I’m Isla from Indeed, your CV has been recommended by several online recruitment agencies, so we would like to offer you a remote job where you can earn A$150-300 per day, working 60-90 minutes per day at a time and place of your choosing (paid on the same day),’ the text message read.
‘Paid annual leave: 5 to 15 days. But please note: (you must be at least 20 years old). If you are eligible and would like more information, please reply with a ‘YES’ or ‘NO.’’
The job entailed joining a website and completing ‘tasks,’ which initially involved writing five-star reviews for movies. To participate, Mr Dawaad was required to make upfront payments, which he was assured would be refunded along with a commission for his efforts. The promise of easy money was enticing, and for the first five days, everything appeared to be running smoothly.
However, as the commission owed to him reached $1,260, he discovered a catch: he could only withdraw his earnings after completing all assigned tasks. The website continued to add new tasks, each demanding further payments.
In a desperate bid to finish the tasks and reclaim both his earnings and the initial payments, he borrowed $4,100 from his cousin, Philip.
It wasn’t until the website demanded even more money, with no end in sight, that the harsh reality set in—Mr Dawaad had been ensnared in a scam. By the time he decided to cut his losses, he had already spent a total of $5,000.
‘That’s when I realised it was a scam because they kept wanting more. I’d say don’t trust anything online—if it feels like it’s too easy getting money then that’s how you know it’s not right,’ he told Daily Mail Australia.
The emotional toll was heavy, especially since the money he borrowed was from his cousin, who had been diligently saving for a car and had made personal sacrifices to help him. The scam not only impacted their finances but also their relationship, as he felt a deep sense of guilt for losing his cousin’s hard-earned money.
To avoid falling victim to similar scams, here are some tips to keep in mind:
1. Verify the source: Always check the legitimacy of the sender before engaging with job offers received via text or e-mail. Contact the company directly through official channels to confirm the offer.
2. Be sceptical of upfront payments: Legitimate job offers will not require you to pay money to start working. If you’re asked to make a payment as part of the job process, it’s a red flag.
3. Research the company: Look up reviews and testimonials about the company offering the job. Scammers often use fake websites that mimic legitimate ones, so thorough research is crucial.
4. Protect personal information: Never share sensitive information like bank details or personal identification numbers unless you’re certain of the recipient’s authenticity.
5. Trust your instincts: If a job offer seems too easy or too good to be true, it probably is. Trust your gut feeling and steer clear of dubious offers.
By sharing Mr Dawaad’s story, we hope to raise awareness about the dangers of job search scams and help our readers navigate the online world more safely. You can share this with a grandchild or loved one in a job hunting season.
If you or someone you know have experienced a similar situation or have additional tips to avoid scams, we invite you to share your insights in the comments below. Your advice could help someone in the YourLifeChoices community avoid a costly mistake.
Also read: Victim shares text exchange with scammer—here’s what to look out for!
These online issues can so easily be scams. Even though there are many “Red Flags” the first and most important one is ” Why do you need me to pay the posting cost if you are saying that you owe me as yet unpaid money ?”
This should have alerted the Op. and a report should have been made to his bank 3 days after the first payment date. Unfortunately, taking part in a second and third transaction justifies the payment and therefore the invoice as legitimate as far as the bank is concerned.
In the days before the internet, I advertised in the newspaper, looking for a job. I got one who wasn’t there when I turned up & another who tried to take the conversation for work I did not ask for! Awful people always looking to exploit others just trying to get ahead.