Scam alert: Job recruitment scams
25 May 2026
Scammers are impersonating recruiters for companies like Amazon and Youtube.
What’s happening
Scammers are contacting people about “job offers” via SMS. They pose as recruiters offering well-paid, flexible, task-based work opportunities with companies like Amazon and YouTube.
The selling points of the jobs on offer include:
• a high salary
• remote work
• flexible working hours or days
• free job training.
Some roles are advertised as ‘e-commerce assistant’ while others are described as ‘optimising product listings’. Once you respond to the offer, you are directed to an encrypted WhatsApp chat for further information.
If you accept the ‘job’, you will complete sets of tasks, set up a cryptocurrency account, and may be paid a small sum of money to build your trust. Then, you will be told to ‘top up’ your account with your own money so that you can unlock the next set of tasks and earn your commission. Once you pay this money, you will never get it back.
Amazon have published information on their website about these and other scams that impersonate them.
Who’s at risk
Anyone could be targeted by this scam. You don’t need to be an existing Amazon customer or use YouTube. However, you may be at greater risk if you are:
• searching for employment
• looking for ways to make extra money
• looking for flexible work hours and the ability to work from home.
Warning signs to look out for
- Unexpected contact from a ‘recruiter’ via SMS or encrypted messaging.
- Jobs offering a high salary for little work and effort.
- Jobs that require no experience, qualifications or references that you can perform remotely.
- Being told to pay with your own money to make more money.
- Job details are vague but are about rating products or optimising listings.
Protect yourself from scams by
- STOP. If you’re contracted about a job offer don’t rush to accept. No real job will require you to pay money before you make money.
- CHECK. Check if the job offer is real. Companies like Amazon and YouTube advertise all their jobs on their websites. Real recruiters will not move your conversation to an encrypted platform like WhatsApp. Contact the organisation directly using a phone number you’ve sourced yourself to see if they are recruiting and whether the job is real.
- PROTECT. If you’ve provided personal information or money to someone you suspect is a scammer, act quickly. Visit what to do if you’ve been scammed for steps you can follow.
To report scams and find more info go to Scamwatch.gov.au
This information has been provided by Australian Government: ScamWatch email sent 25 May 2026.