Beware of a potential employer who requests cryptocurrency as payment to kickstart your remote job opportunity. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has issued a warning, labeling it as likely another scam.
In a statement released on June 4, the FBI highlighted an increase in fraudulent work-from-home job offers. Scammers reach out to unsuspecting individuals with enticing job opportunities, such as rating restaurants or engaging in simple tasks like clicking a button repeatedly to “optimize” a service.
Victims may be led to believe that they are earning money, as scammers direct them to a fake platform that displays earnings that cannot be cashed out. The deception escalates when victims are asked to make cryptocurrency payments to the fake employer to access more work, ultimately funneling the funds directly to the scammer.
The FBI cautioned, “You are instructed to make cryptocurrency payments to your employer as part of the job.”
Warning signs of a potential scam include job descriptions heavy on the use of the term “optimization” and those that do not request references during the hiring process. As the trend of working remotely gains popularity, more individuals are susceptible to falling for these schemes. According to Statista data, the global percentage of remote workers reached 28% by the end of 2023.
Remote workers have the flexibility to choose their preferred location. In a recent interview with Magazine, crypto consultant Dominic Frei, based in Canggu, shared how he relocated to Bali from Switzerland with his family in pursuit of a better lifestyle and climate.
This alert from the FBI follows a report on the significant increase in crypto-related fraud in the United States in 2023. Citing data from the FBI, Cointelegraph reported that investment losses related to cryptocurrency surged from $2.57 billion in 2022 to approximately $3.94 billion in 2023, marking a 53% rise.
One prevalent crypto scam that continues to ensnare individuals is romance scams, where criminals assume fake identities online to establish trust and affection with victims before concocting stories to persuade them to send cryptocurrency, only to disappear thereafter.
For those interested in becoming a crypto digital nomad in Bali, Magazine offers insights on how to embark on this lifestyle.