Job seekers beware – an elaborate work-from-home scam promising easy money is conning people out of their hard-earned savings. The scam starts with a message via text, phone call, or WhatsApp from someone claiming to represent recruitment agency Lehman Consulting and Recruiting. But the lucrative job offer is a sham designed to trick vulnerable targets.
How the Fake Lehman Consulting and Recruiting Task Scam Works
The scammers contact targets out of the blue posing as recruiters and direct them to continue conversations on the encrypted WhatsApp platform. They provide details of a well-paying work-from-home job involving simple tasks like app optimization. This hooks cash-strapped people seeking income.
1. Scammers Instruct Targets to Deposit Funds
Once on board, targets are instructed to deposit their own money to get started. They are added to group chats where current “employees” share tales of easy earnings. Victims complete real-looking tasks on a website for the first few days and actually make some money. This convinces them it’s legitimate while also studying their behaviors.
2. Trapping Targets via Psychology Games
Just when people get comfortable, scammers hit them with “combination tasks” requiring large deposits – sometimes thousands of dollars – to keep progressing. The promise of big bonuses down the line plays on human psychology – no one wants to walk away and lose what they already put in.
3. Excuse After Excuse for Why You Can’t Withdraw
Despite completing tasks, targets are given excuses why they can’t withdraw funds – a frozen account, penalties for rule infractions, additional verification needed due to large sums. The pattern continues until a target’s financial devastation. Some have lost upwards of $20,000 as scammers disappear. Law enforcement confirms little chance of recovering funds.
How to Avoid Becoming a Victim of this Fraud Job Opportunity
The con follows well-known scam tactics, but the master scammers still succeed in deceiving smart people. Losses represent life savings for some families. Here’s how to avoid becoming a statistic:
- Be suspicious of unsolicited job offers requiring deposits or payments to start working.
- Don’t communicate about jobs via WhatsApp or encrypted platforms. Use official company email addresses and phone numbers.
- Research any company and job offer thoroughly before providing personal information.
- Never pay money to get a job or as part of your job duties.
- Don’t get caught in sunken cost thinking. Walk away at the slightest red flag despite already investing time or money.
Report Scams to Warn Others
Those who escaped early or recognized red flags are lucky. If contacted by anyone claiming association with Lehman Consulting and Recruiting or promoting similar opportunities, report them to the authorities then post warnings online to help prevent additional victims. Job desperation is difficult, but must not cloud judgment when protecting livelihoods.