Medium riskJob Scams

Ad Posting Job Scam

In this scam, you are promised easy income for posting ads or links online, but you must first buy a 'starter kit' or membership, and the promised commissions never arrive or require recruiting others.

Quick verdict

Risk level
Medium risk
Scam type
Advance-fee (paid-to-post)
Main red flag
A 'paid to post ads' job that needs you to buy a kit or membership first.
What to do first
Do not pay to start. Real jobs do not charge you to begin working.

What this scam usually looks like

In this scam, you are promised easy income for posting ads or links online, but you must first buy a 'starter kit' or membership, and the promised commissions never arrive or require recruiting others.

Example message pattern

Example pattern — not a real report
Example pattern: 'Earn $500/week posting our ads online! Just buy the $97 starter kit to unlock your earning links and training. Unlimited income potential!'

This is a fictional, anonymised example used to illustrate the pattern. It is not a verified real message, and any names are used only to show how the scam typically reads.

Red flags to watch for

  • A fee for a 'starter kit', membership, or training to begin
  • Promises of easy, high income for simple posting
  • Earnings that depend on recruiting others
  • Vague employer details and chat-app contact
  • Pressure to pay quickly to 'lock in' your spot

What to do

  • Refuse to pay any fee to start a job
  • Research the company and look for complaints
  • Be wary of income that relies on recruitment
  • Report the scheme to your consumer authority

If you already clicked or replied

  • If you paid, dispute the charge with your payment provider
  • Stop buying any upsell packages
  • Keep all messages and receipts as evidence
  • Report the recruiter and listing

What not to do

  • Do not pay for a starter kit to begin a job
  • Do not recruit others to earn
  • Do not trust guaranteed weekly income claims

Similar scams

High risk Job

Pyramid Scheme Scam

This scam is pitched as a business opportunity, but income comes mainly from recruiting new members who each pay to join rather than from selling a real product, so most people near the bottom lose money.
High risk Job

Online Task Job Scam

In this scam, you are offered easy paid 'tasks' like liking videos or rating products, shown small early earnings, then pressured to deposit your own money to unlock bigger commissions that you can never withdraw.
Medium risk Job

Envelope Stuffing Scam

This long-running scam promises easy money for stuffing envelopes at home, charges an upfront fee for a 'starter kit', then reveals the only way to earn is by recruiting others into the same scheme.

Frequently asked questions

Why do I have to pay to start?
Legitimate jobs pay you; they do not charge for a starter kit to begin. The fee is the scam, and the promised commissions rarely arrive.
Is recruiting others a red flag?
Yes. If income depends mainly on signing up new people rather than real work, it resembles a pyramid scheme.
I bought the starter kit. Can I recover it?
Dispute the charge with your payment provider, keep your evidence, and report the scheme.
How do I find genuine work?
Apply through reputable employers and job boards, and avoid any role that asks you to pay to start.

Last reviewed: June 2026

Disclaimer: This page provides educational information only to help you recognise common scam patterns. It is not legal, financial, cybersecurity, or law enforcement advice, and it does not confirm whether any specific message, company, or person is genuine or fraudulent. When in doubt, contact the official organisation directly and report concerns to your local authorities.