Fake job offer
'Easy money' jobs that ask for an upfront fee or your bank details.
How it works
A recruiter messages you on LinkedIn or WhatsApp with a high-paying remote role. They ask for an onboarding fee, training kit payment, or your bank login for 'payroll setup'.
Common scenarios to watch for
This scam shows up in several different shapes. Recognise the pattern, not just one message.
Task / 'liking' scam
You're paid small amounts for 'rating products' or liking videos. To unlock bigger commissions you need to 'top up' your account with your own money — which disappears.
"Welcome to our review platform! Complete 40 tasks/day, $5 each. To unlock VIP tier 2 deposit $200 (refunded with profits)."
Red flags to spot
- Are you being asked to pay money to unlock higher earnings?
- Is the promised pay far above market rate for simple tasks?
- Did the 'job' start with you paying anything at all?
- Are withdrawals blocked or requiring more deposits first?
Mystery shopper cheque scam
You're sent a cheque to 'shop and review' a money-transfer service. The cheque bounces a week later but the wire transfer you made is gone.
"Please cash the enclosed $2,400 cheque, buy $2,000 in gift cards at Coles, and email us the codes as your first assignment."
Red flags to spot
- Did you receive a cheque that you need to cash and then send money back?
- Are you asked to buy gift cards or wire money as part of the 'job'?
- Is the cheque from a source you can't verify?
- Are you asked to spend your own money before the cheque clears?
Reshipping mule role
A 'logistics assistant' job has you receive parcels at home and reship them overseas. The goods are bought with stolen cards — you become legally liable.
"Remote logistics coordinator, $800/week. Receive packages, repack, send to our Eastern Europe office. No experience needed."
Red flags to spot
- Does the job involve receiving packages and reshipping them elsewhere?
- Are you asked to use your own address for business goods you didn't order?
- Is the pay unusually high for such simple work?
- Are you asked to remove labels or repackage items before sending?
Red flags
- 🚩Salary far above the market rate
- 🚩Any fee to start work
- 🚩Interview only over chat, never video
What to do
- 1Real employers never charge to start.
- 2Verify the role on the company's official careers page.
- 3Report to Scamwatch and the platform you found it on.
Who's targeted
- Students, new migrants and job-seekers looking for remote or part-time work.
- LinkedIn users approached cold by 'recruiters' with no company history.
Why it works
- High pay for little effort feels plausible in a remote-work world.
- Pressure to start 'this week' bypasses normal due diligence.
Common variations
Different shapes of the same scam — recognise the pattern.
- 1'Onboarding kit' fee before you start.
- 2Bank login requested for 'payroll setup'.
- 3Cheque overpayment scam where you're asked to refund the difference.
If you've already been scammed
- 1Stop all communication and don't send any more money or ID.
- 2If you shared bank details, change passwords and notify your bank.
- 3Report the listing to the platform and to Scamwatch.
Frequently asked
Is it normal to pay for training?▾
No — legitimate employers cover onboarding costs themselves.
They sent a real-looking contract. Is it legit?▾
Contracts are easy to fake. Verify the role on the company's official careers site.
Should I do a video interview?▾
Yes — refusing a video call is one of the strongest red flags.
Related scams
Connected patterns you should also learn — ranked by how much they overlap with this one.
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A 'remote job' that pays you to click tasks — then demands deposits to 'unlock' higher commissions.
Read guideFake immigration agent
Unregistered 'agents' charging huge fees for fake visa help.
Read guideATO / tax scam
Fake ATO messages threatening arrest or offering refunds.
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