Fraud

Job offers that need a payment from you

Longer note · updated October 2026

Fake job offers are written to look like real ones and often borrow real company names. The patterns behind them repeat.

Signs to watch for

• A payment to start: registration, kits, training or "activation" fees. Real work pays you.
• Passing money on: receiving transfers and sending them elsewhere, or buying gift cards for reimbursement. This can involve you in money laundering.
• Deposits to unlock tasks: simple tasks that pay at first, then require you to add money to continue.
• Pressure: act today, keep it private, move to a private chat app.
• Pay far beyond the work: high rates for unskilled tasks and no interview.

Checking

Find the company's official website yourself and contact them there. Search the name with "scam" or "complaint".

If you've paid

Stop paying, even if a refund is promised after one more fee. Contact your bank, keep messages and receipts, and report it to the police and the consumer protection authority.