Reports indicate that fraudsters have been targeting individuals in Russia with fraudulent job offers at a well-known cosmetics and perfume retail chain. People who accept the supposed employment tasks end up completing daily duties on a scam site and funding their accounts to keep working. Once funds are transferred, withdrawing them becomes impossible. This summary comes from a leading analyst in digital risk protection, Evgeny Egorov, who warned about the scam’s mechanics and outcomes.
Under the guise of employment, applicants are asked to provide basic personal details such as gender, residence, age, and occupation, and then complete several test tasks promising a payment of 500 rubles. Expert Egorov explained that the initial “test task” often involves a link to a site where the applicant must like a product and then send a screenshot to the supposed employer, creating a sense of legitimacy while collecting user data and engagement metrics.
During June, there were notices of mass mailings through messaging apps offering easy money. Targets were invited to like new products on a cosmetic site and promised earnings ranging from 800 to 8,500 rubles per day, depending on activity. The pattern shows how scammers lure victims with quick cash promises and simple online actions that lock them into a workflow that cannot be reversed once money has moved to the scammers’ accounts.
Cybersecurity experts emphasize that internet fraud employment is a widespread fraud model with multiple variants. Scenarios include writing reviews on marketplaces, working as a clerk for taxi services, or serving as a hotel manager. Victims are gradually drawn into a convincing narrative of remote work on the platform, performing routine but ultimately imaginary tasks, which keeps them engaged and financially drained over time. The risk lies not just in the initial outreach but in the ongoing manipulation strategies that mimic legitimate gig economy work, fostering trust before a loss occurs.
To avoid becoming a victim, it is advised to verify vacancy information on official brand websites and through recognized career portals. Establishing direct confirmation with a company’s official careers page can help prevent falling for scams that imitate genuine recruitment efforts. People are encouraged to approach unfamiliar job offers with skepticism, particularly when they involve upfront payments, unusual verification requirements, or requests to perform tasks that appear trivial but carry intangible costs.
Earlier reports described cases where a Moscow resident was deceived for a substantial amount, including sums up to two hundred thousand rubles, after being contacted by an impersonator claiming to be a well-known influencer. The pattern illustrates how scammers blend social proof with impersonation to create a believable narrative that persuades victims to hand over money or provide sensitive information. In such situations, slowing down the process, researching independently, and consulting trusted brand channels can reduce risk and help preserve financial security.
Experts suggest practical steps to protect oneself: cross-check job postings with official corporate sites, avoid offers that require upfront payments, and do not share financial details or screen captures that reveal credentials. If something feels off, take time to pause, seek independent confirmation, and consider reporting the incident to consumer protection resources. By maintaining a healthy level of scrutiny and using direct, official channels for job inquiries, individuals can safeguard their online activities from nefarious schemes and maintain confidence in legitimate employment opportunities. Attrition-based scams rely on urgency and plausibility; a calm, methodical approach can disrupt the scam’s momentum and prevent financial loss. (Source: FAC.S.T)