Home Scam alert as thieves target remote job seekers, stealing millions in crypto scam

Scam alert as thieves target remote job seekers, stealing millions in crypto scam

TLDR

  • Scammers stole $2M+ in crypto via fake remote job offers, says NY Attorney General.
  • Victims lured via texts, WhatsApp, and fake websites, losing wallets to fraud.
  • AG Letitia James seeks to return frozen $2.2M to New Yorkers scammed in the scheme.

Scammers stole millions of dollars in cryptocurrency from people searching for remote job opportunities, according to New York’s Attorney General.

Letitia James shared on Thursday, January 9, that she’s taken legal action to recover over $2 million allegedly stolen from New Yorkers and others across the country.

She explained that the scammers operated as part of a network, using unsolicited text messages to lure in unsuspecting job seekers.

James’ office filed a lawsuit that affected nine victims caught up in the cryptocurrency scam. Seven of them are from Queens and Nassau County, while the other two are from Virginia and Florida. Each person lost anywhere from a few thousand dollars to over $300,000 in the scheme.

Writing on X, she said: “We’ve frozen $2.2 million in cryptocurrency that we’re seeking to give back to New Yorkers who were scammed.”

Remote job crypto scam

James added that the the individuals used text messages to “cruelly deceive people who were looking to earn money to support their families.”

According to the lawsuit, the accused used private messages on WhatsApp and other messaging groups to lure victims.

The suspects reportedly reeled people in with promises of “remote job” gigs, convincing them to load up crypto wallets with stablecoins, USD Coin or USD Tether, to supposedly pay for fake product reviews.

Victims were then told they’d earn commissions for their work, but instead, their wallets were completely drained. The lawsuit stated: “The companies were impersonations of real companies and the websites were merely a façade for a massive fraud.”

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz stated: “Work scams that prey on those seeking legitimate employment not only rob victims of their hard-earned money but also shatter their trust in the job market.”

“Crimes of deception continue to evolve, driven by large windfalls stolen from unsuspecting victims,” added Patrick J. Freaney, US Secret Service special agent.

In October, ReadWrite reported on another such job-related crypto scam. Threat actors linked to North Korea, posing as Web3 recruiters, targeted job seekers to install crypto-stealing malware on their devices. The scammers used fake video call apps to infect the devices of job seekers in the tech industry.

Featured image: Canva

About ReadWrite’s Editorial Process

The ReadWrite Editorial policy involves closely monitoring the tech, gambling and blockchain industries for major developments, new product and brand launches, AI breakthroughs, game releases and other newsworthy events. Editors assign relevant stories to in-house staff writers with expertise in each particular topic area. Before publication, articles go through a rigorous round of editing for accuracy, clarity, and to ensure adherence to ReadWrite's style guidelines.

Suswati Basu
Tech journalist

Suswati Basu is a multilingual, award-winning editor and the founder of the intersectional literature channel, How To Be Books. She was shortlisted for the Guardian Mary Stott Prize and longlisted for the Guardian International Development Journalism Award. With 18 years of experience in the media industry, Suswati has held significant roles such as head of audience and deputy editor for NationalWorld news, digital editor for Channel 4 News and ITV News. She has also contributed to the Guardian and received training at the BBC As an audience, trends, and SEO specialist, she has participated in panel events alongside Google. Her…

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