Online scams
There are heaps of scams going around. When people are desperate, they’re at greater risk of falling for a scam. Remember, if something seems too good to be true – it probably is!
If you want to share any scams you’ve been victim to or heard of, feel free to do so in the comments.
Here’s some information on scams: https://www.consumerprotection.govt.nz/general-help/scamwatch/types-of-scams
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I’m sharing a ‘travel job’ scam here that my friend fell victim to. They lost over $30,000.
This was how this particular job scam works:
1. The scammer offers an ‘online job’ in various Facebook groups (or even on job websites).
2. The ‘job’ involves providing five-star reviews to travel-related companies in return for a ‘commission’. This is done via a very sophisticated looking app (see attached photos). The process for doing a review is very simple – click on five stars within the app and then click Submit. Then move onto the next review.
3. All communications are done via WhatsApp – there is no contact phone number or address on the website. The WhatsApp group seems very realistic and is the main way they trick you into thinking this is a real job with real work colleagues.
4. After providing several reviews, the victim is prompted to pay money because their ‘travel account’ is in negative credit. They are told they can’t continue until this money is paid, but they will get a commission soon after.
5. The victim makes their first payment. The first payment is repaid to them with the ‘commission’ added (30 – 50% of the original amount). ****This tricks the victim into believing this is a legitimate job.***
6. They can then continue to do reviews and ‘level up’ in a system where each stage is called a ‘journey’. They are told once they complete a certain number of stages, or ‘journeys’, they will receive their next commission.
7. They are able to complete several more stages, or ‘journeys’ until they are next prompted to pay money. This is repeated over and over.
8. When the victim expresses concern about the money they have paid, they are told that they are very close to being at the level where they will be paid out their commission and can withdraw their money. They just need to complete the required number of stages (‘journeys’).
9. By this stage, they have paid a lot of money and continue in the hope they will get the money back.
10. When the victim’s money runs out, the scammers offer to lend some of the money. They are no doubt trying to get any more small amounts that they can from the victim before the victim realises is it is scam.
