Dr Rasha Kassem, senior academic and leader of the Fraud Research Group (FRG) at Aston University, said: “It’s important to be clear: these schemes are not just “dodgy deals” or bad business.
“They are a form of fraud, and fraud is a serious crime. The people behind them deliberately set out to take money by deception.
“Although they’re being talked about more now, they aren’t new. The trick has been around for years. What’s changed is how it’s presented.
“Today, it’s dressed up as a modern “side hustle” – a small job to earn extra money alongside your main income.
“Real side hustles have clear pay, proper terms and no upfront fees. The fake versions copy this idea to look harmless.
“In the past, similar tricks appeared as fake mystery shopping jobs or work-from-home offers that asked for fees.
“Now they use social media, messaging apps and crypto platforms to seem more convincing.
“The pattern is always the same: you’re offered easy money for simple tasks, you might get a small payment to build trust, then you’re asked to pay upfront to unlock work or withdraw earnings.
“When you try to take your money out, excuses are made, you’re pressured to send more and contact stops once you refuse.
“Warning signs include being asked to pay a fee, move chats to another app, speak to a “mentor”, or open an unfamiliar financial or crypto account.
“To protect yourself: never pay to get a job or unlock earnings, don’t trust unsolicited job messages on social media, check offers on official company websites, or simply go for safer options.
“Safer ways to find real extra work include using well-known job sites (such as Indeed, Totaljobs, or Reed), registering with reputable recruitment agencies, or using recognised platforms (like Upwork, Deliveroo, Uber Eats or TaskRabbit).
“These routes are safer than random messages, but they are not risk-free.
“If you look for or accept work locally, remember that “local” does not automatically mean genuine.
“Criminals do advertise in community Facebook groups and on noticeboards to look more trustworthy.
“Wherever the job comes from: never pay upfront fees, don’t share ID or bank details, meet in public first where possible, only let people into your home once you’re confident they’re genuine, and do basic checks such as confirming real names, contact details and reviews.
“If they reject questions, rush you, refuse simple checks or change their story, don’t go ahead. Stay alert, stay sceptical, stay safe.”
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