Fake job / paid-tasks scam: cómo funciona, señales y qué hacer

Job scams · médio

The victim gets an offer of easy remote work: liking videos, following profiles, rating products or hotels. The first tasks pay small amounts to build trust.

They are then moved to a group or platform where they must deposit money to "unlock" better tasks, "complete a set" or withdraw their balance.

The displayed balance grows, but every withdrawal requires a new deposit ("fee", "tax", "account error"). In classic fake job ads, the scammer charges for training, uniforms, exams or registration.

Sinais / Signs

Job offer you didn't apply for, via WhatsApp or social media.
High pay for simple tasks like liking videos.
Deposit required to work or to withdraw.
Recruiter with no verifiable company, contract or interview.
Payments coming from different personal accounts.
Pressure to recruit friends.

Prevenção / Prevention

Legitimate employers don't charge you to work.
Look up the company's registration and official site and confirm the vacancy on its careers page.
Never deposit money to "unlock" a withdrawal.
Don't let your account be used to receive and forward money (that's money muling).
Be wary of jobs that skip interviews and contracts.

O que fazer / What to do

Stop depositing immediately: further payments won't release the balance.
Call your bank right away using the official number (back of the card or in the app) and ask to block cards, accounts and access.
If you paid via Pix, ask your bank to open a MED (Special Return Mechanism) claim as soon as possible — time matters because funds move fast.
File a police report (many Brazilian states accept online reports) and keep screenshots, receipts, numbers and links.
Report the profile, ad or number to the platform (WhatsApp, Telegram or social network) so it gets taken down and others are protected.
In the US, report to the FBI IC3 (ic3.gov) and the FTC (reportfraud.ftc.gov); if your identity was misused, follow the plan at identitytheft.gov.

FAQ

Is getting paid to like videos a scam?

In the vast majority of cases, yes. The pattern is small early payouts followed by deposit demands.

Can a company charge a fee to hire me?

Charging to hire is a classic sign of a fake job. Refuse and report it.

CERT.br — Cartilha de Segurança para Internet · FTC — ReportFraud · FBI IC3 — Internet Crime Complaint Center