Beware of fraudulent employers asking for cryptocurrency to kickstart your work-from-home dream job, warns the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). According to a statement released on June 4, the FBI has noticed a surge in scams related to remote job advertisements.
These scammers typically reach out to potential victims with enticing job offers, like rating restaurants or performing simple tasks online. They may even create a fake interface to make victims believe they are earning money, only to later demand cryptocurrency payments to access more work.
The FBI highlighted warning signs such as job descriptions overly focused on “optimization” and recruitment processes that do not require references. With the increasing popularity of remote work, more individuals are falling prey to these scams. Statista data shows that the global percentage of remote workers reached 28% by the end of 2023.
Remote workers, like crypto consultant Dominic Frei based in Canggu, Bali, have the flexibility to choose their work location for a better lifestyle and climate. This trend has also led to an increase in cybercrimes related to cryptocurrency, as reported by the FBI. Investment losses involving crypto rose from $2.57 billion in 2022 to approximately $3.94 billion in 2023, a 53% jump.
One of the most prevalent crypto scams is romance scams, where criminals create false identities to manipulate victims into sending cryptocurrency before disappearing. Magazine offers insights on becoming a Bali-based crypto digital nomad, like Frei, for those seeking a new lifestyle.