High riskJob Scams

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.

Quick verdict

Risk level
High risk
Scam type
Advance-fee task scam
Main red flag
A simple-task job that asks you to deposit your own money to 'unlock' or 'continue' earnings.
What to do first
Stop and withdraw nothing more. Real jobs never require you to pay to get paid.

What this scam usually looks like

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.

Example message pattern

Example pattern — not a real report
Example pattern: 'Earn $300/day completing simple tasks! You've earned $48 today. To unlock the next task set and withdraw, top up your account with $200.'

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

  • Small initial 'earnings' to build trust, then a request to deposit money
  • Pay that is far too high for trivial tasks
  • A recruiter contacting you on WhatsApp, Telegram, or text
  • Withdrawals blocked until you 'top up' or pay a fee or tax
  • A polished app or dashboard you cannot independently verify

What to do

  • Stop immediately and do not deposit any money
  • Withdraw nothing more and cut contact with the recruiter
  • Research the company independently and check for warnings
  • Report the scheme to your local fraud authority

If you already clicked or replied

  • Do not send further deposits to 'release' your balance
  • Contact your bank or payment provider to try to stop or dispute payments
  • Keep screenshots of the app, tasks, and chats as evidence
  • Report the recruiter's number and the platform

What not to do

  • Do not deposit your own money to 'unlock' earnings
  • Do not pay 'taxes' or 'fees' to withdraw
  • Do not recruit friends, as that spreads the scam

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Frequently asked questions

Why does the task app show me earning money at first?
Small early 'earnings' build trust so you will deposit larger sums. Once you do, withdrawals are blocked behind endless top-ups and fees.
Can I withdraw if I just pay the requested fee?
No. The fees and 'taxes' never end, and the balance is not real money. Paying more does not release anything.
Is it a real job if they pay commission?
Genuine jobs pay you; they do not require you to deposit your own funds to earn. A request to pay to keep working is a clear scam sign.
I already deposited money. What now?
Stop paying, contact your bank or payment provider to try to recover funds, keep your evidence, and report the scheme to authorities.

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.