With the global economic crisis and the after-effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of people have been laid off from big tech companies such as Amazon, Microsoft, and Google, leading to an abundance of jobless individuals worldwide. As a result, it is no surprise that scammers have shifted their focus and preyed upon innocent users looking for steady income.
Potential Victims are Contacted Via WhatsApp for a Potential YouTube Scam
According to the story by Giz China, in recent months, we have observed a surge of scams on apps such as WhatsApp, offering easy money in return for a few clicks. At first glance, this may seem too good to be true, but a high cost usually follows it once the scam is revealed.
The new scam involves the promise of additional income should the user 'like' a certain number of YouTube videos. The scammers contact individuals through WhatsApp and present themselves as representatives of global marketing companies.
The Scammers Promise that Users Will Receive Up to $60 Per Day for 5,000 Likes
Suppose an individual responds to the scam or installs the verifications app required by the scammers. In that case, they find themselves giving up access to their sensitive financial data, such as credit card and bank account details, emails, and other important data which could be used for identity theft and financial fraud, per My Smart Price.
They attempt to convince the user that they can receive up to $0.50 per 'like,' sometimes up to $60 per day when 5,000 'likes' are completed. This works out at around $420 per week, a very attractive incentive.
Victims Could Receive a Small Amount to Trick Them that the Scheme is Legitimate
However, it is important to factor in that this is more than likely a scam that has been designed to acquire one's personal data and use this to appropriate money from them. When scammers contact a user via WhatsApp, they request personal information to proceed with payment.
The individual may receive a small amount to make it seem as though it is credible, and a payment-capable app such as PayPal may be asked for. The user will then be requested to transfer a small sum for 'verification.'
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This is where the scam succeeds, as the user will have granted the scammer access to bank account details, credit cards, emails, and other private information. Once the scam is revealed, there is not much one can do to mitigate the damage.
Similar scams were also highlighted in an article by Daily Mail.
To protect themselves from scams like these, it's important to research thoroughly, to be skeptical of any "easy money" promises they may encounter, and to not make their phone numbers publicly available on websites or social media to reduce the risk of being targeted by scammers.
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