TL;DR: On May 20, 2026, Scamwatch warned of job recruitment scams in which criminals impersonate companies such as Amazon and YouTube by SMS, posing as recruiters offering remote, flexible, task-based work. Texts claim only 20 or 25 positions are available, then victims are told to “top up” their account with their own money. The alert gives no loss statistics.
What happened
The Scamwatch alert says victims receive a text offering well-paid work from home, often described as “e-commerce assistant” or product listing optimisation roles. Replying leads to an encrypted WhatsApp chat.
Victims complete sets of tasks and set up a cryptocurrency account, and may receive small payments to build trust. To unlock further tasks and commissions, they are told to top up with their own money. Once they pay, the money is lost.
Why it works
Small early payments make the work feel real, and a counter of “tasks completed” keeps people going. The top-up is where it turns from work into a payment.
The limited number of positions is part of the scam’s pressure tactics.
Background: our explainers on task-based job scams and realistic expectations for crypto scam recovery. See also ASIC Scam Alert: Fake Crypto Platforms in “Stock Tips” Groups and ASIC Review: Super Funds Lag Banks on Scam Warnings.
What Scamwatch advises
- Never pay money to start a job, and be cautious of high pay for easy work.
- Verify the message through legitimate job sites.
- Contact the company directly using a phone number you find yourself.
- Remember that real recruiters do not move conversations to encrypted apps like WhatsApp.
If you have already sent money
Contact your bank immediately, report the scam to Scamwatch and through ReportCyber, and call IDCARE on 1800 595 160 if your identity may be at risk. Our guides on the Scamwatch and IDCARE recovery process, Australian bank impersonation scams and how to reverse a wire transfer scam explain the steps, and what to do after a scam, wherever you live covers the first 24 hours. Scammers often start with details taken from past leaks, so run our free digital footprint check to see what of yours is already exposed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the job recruitment scam work?
A text offers remote task-based work, replying leads to WhatsApp, victims complete tasks and set up a crypto account, then are told to top up their account with their own money.
Why do texts say only 20 or 25 positions are available?
It is a pressure tactic to make people act quickly.
Do real recruiters use WhatsApp?
Scamwatch says real recruiters do not move conversations to encrypted apps like WhatsApp.
What should I do if I paid?
Act quickly, contact your bank and follow Scamwatch’s guidance on what to do if you have been scammed.
Sources
Related Reading
- ASIC Scam Alert: Fake Crypto Platforms in “Stock Tips” Groups
- ASIC Review: Super Funds Lag Banks on Scam Warnings
- Crypto Kiosk Scams: 13,460 Complaints and $389M in 2025
- Australia Scam News: October 2026 Roundup and Warnings
- Average Loss per Victim by Scam Type (2025)
- What to do after a scam, wherever you live