Recruitment Fraud

Humberside Police are warning about fraudsters offering flexible remote part-time or full-time positions paying £800 a day for TikTok tasks, then demanding cash for fake training

The fraudsters pose as recruiters offering easy, high-paying online jobs but trick victims into paying upfront “fees” before disappearing, often using fake interviews, websites, and group chats to appear legitimate.

The fraudsters lure victims with fake job offers which can sometimes involve simple online tasks – such as liking TikTok videos or reviewing hotels. Victims are promised commissions and high earning opportunities from the comfort of their own homes, but first they must pay upfront fees for application processing, training, DBS checks or even visa sponsorship – known as ‘advanced fees’. Once payments are made, victims are often ghosted or blocked. 

In more elaborate and sophisticated cases, fraudsters simulate entire recruitment processes, including fake interviews and contracts. They might impersonate genuine recruitment agencies and set up fake websites to help with their frauds. Victims are sometimes added to WhatsApp group chats or shown fake screenshots of inflated bank balances to simulate legitimacy.

Tips to stay safe:

Be cautious of unsolicited adverts or job offers that promise high pay for minimal effort, require upfront payments, or insist on contacting strangers via messaging apps.

Remember no legitimate company will ask you to make payments when applying for a job or ask you to use your own bank account to transfer their money. Do not do it under any circumstances.

Verify recruiters and companies independently, do your own research and don’t rely on links and documents they provide. Check the firm’s website on a trusted platform and see if the job is advertised on their site.

Avoid opportunities where you are added to unknown apps or group chats that claim to be part of the process.

Reporting and Support

If you have been a victim and lost money, call 101 and report it to Humberside Police.

Visit www.fraudwatch.org.uk for more information about fraud and where to get support.

You can also sign up to receive future alerts at alerts.fraudwatch.org.uk.