Parents and young people are being urged to be cautious of “job” scams circulating on social media. North Yorkshire Police has reported that in the past six months, they have received 40 complaints about these types of scams in the area. The police force stated that these scams involve social media posts offering hundreds of pounds in exchange for liking or sharing content, with the youngest victim being just 15 years old.
Detective Inspector Janine Mitchell warned, “If you encounter an offer like this, please ignore it, do not click on any links they provide, and definitely do not send them any money.” She added, “Young people are very social media savvy. They hear that influencers can make money online, so when they are contacted by scammers promising a way to make money, it seems entirely plausible.”
How the Scams Work and Their Consequences
Mitchell explained that victims reported receiving a job offer, often via Telegram, from someone who claimed to be from TikTok’s HR team. The fraudsters promised to pay them for liking and sharing TikTok posts. Victims were then directed to a WhatsApp number or a suspicious link and later told to send money, with the promise of a future refund. They never received anything back after sending the funds.
According to North Yorkshire Police, this activity is indicative of “money mule” networks and could be considered a criminal offense. It can also lead to the closure of the victims’ bank accounts. Detective Inspector Mitchell advised, “Social media is great when used legitimately, but unfortunately, criminals also use it to target unsuspecting and trusting people. Please always be on your guard.”
