Job hunter scam advertisements face significant financial loss and potential criminal records, Lloyds Bank “Advanced fee” has warned while reporting a 237 percent increase in job Scam This year.
victim Usually lose £ 1,420, some more than £ 5,000 from pockets.
Frequent origin Social media And disguised as distance work or material roles, these fraud schemes inconsistently target young job seekers, most of which include people between 18 and 34 years of age.
Scammers attract victims of fake job offers including simple online tasks – such as liked Tikokok Video or review Hotel – Promising the comfortable attractive commissions and high returns of your own homes.
However, upfront fees – known as ‘advanced fees’ – demand for alleged requirements like application processing, TrainingBackground check, or visa sponsor.
Once paid once, criminals usually stop communication, causing the victims to be ghosts or blocked. Lloyds highlighted serious financial implications and the ability to inadvertently face a criminal record for the victims.
In more elaborate and sophisticated cases, scammers simulates complete recruitment processes, including fake interviews, onboarding and contract.
They can apply real recruitment agencies and install fake websites. Victims are sometimes added WhatsApp Group chats or fake screenshots of bank remaining have been shown to be shown to give a mark of validity.
Officers can pay more than one during the scam, sometimes paying for what they believe is VIP upgrade for high income or fees that can reach the commissions made.
Some scams include crypto wallets or platforms to complete the task, and some victims are also manipulated in forwarding Wealth Or acting as middlemen – inadvertently launching funds – known as Money Maling.
Money mules can find themselves at risk of a criminal record.
Fraud Investigator Christina Ford in Lloyds said: “In my role, I have spoken to many customers who have been unexpectedly contacted with job proposals or have responded to advertisements promising quick cash or distant working opportunities.
“These offers are usually on social media platforms, sometimes not as a job advertisement, but talking about a great job opportunity as a fake profile, which he has done himself.”
He said: “The roles presented appear simple, such as watching or choice of tickek videos or writing fake reviews to promote the company’s rating. Customers are told that they will earn a fixed amount per work and get payment in their accounts initially.
“However, these payments are often sent by other scam victims who believe that they are paying to unlock high-paying tasks.”
Fraud Prevention Director, Lloyds said, Liz Zigler said: “If you ask yourself to pay any kind to apply for a job, then step back one step and ask yourself what opportunity seems valid.
“Take time to do the role presented to you and to do research independently on the company.”
Lloyd’s figures were based on the analysis of scams reported by Lloyds Banking Group customers, including customers from Loyds Bank, Halifax and Bank of Scotland between January and June 2025. The growth of 237 percent was calculated by the bank from June as compared to January.
Here are suggestions from MS Zigler to avoid job scams:
- Be cautious of unwanted advertisements or jobs, especially promises easy money on social media, which is an important “hunting ground” for fraudsters. If you present one, report it to the action fraud.
- Remember that legitimate companies will not ask you to pay while applying for a job, nor do they use your bank account to transfer your money to you. Do not do it under any circumstances.
- Verify the recruitments and companies independently, do your own research and do not rely on the links and documents provided by them.
- Avoid opportunities where you are added to unknown apps or group chats that claim to be part of the process.