New York: Kathryn Detweiler said she lostroughly $20,000 to a job scam after receiving a text claiming to be from a recruiter, CBS reported. Scammers impersonated former employers and directed her to a fake online marketing platform tied to recognisable brands.
Detweiler’s supposed role was to approve online ads. Scammers required her to deposit personal funds upfront to “fund” ads, promising reimbursement and profit.
Initially, small deposits, such as $18, yielded payouts of $120, building trust. However, the platform later demanded larger sums before allowing withdrawals.
Her family intervened when they realised the scheme. Detweiler said, “They will just milk you until you’re dry. There will be nothing left.”
The fraudsters cloned parts of Mediareach’s legitimate UK website to appear credible. Mediareach later confirmed it does not operate in the U.S.
The FTC warned that scammers often pose as recruiters, staffing agencies, or known companies to gain trust. They contact victims via text, WhatsApp, Telegram, or social media, offering flexible remote jobs and quick earnings.
Legitimate employers never ask applicants to deposit money, pay fees, or fund company transactions. BBB Metro New York President Claire Rosenzweig said, “If you have to pay to get paid, it’s a scam. Don’t do it.”
Red flags include unsolicited messages, requests to use personal funds, pressure to act quickly, guaranteed high pay for minimal effort, and avoidance of in-person or video interviews.
Read: Brushing Scam Warning: Unsolicited Packages May Target Personal Data
Victims should stop all contact, block scammers, report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, notify banks, and file complaints with the FBI IC3 portal.
Authorities advise verifying companies independently via official websites before responding to job offers. Scams exploit people’s desire for remote work and financial stress, using psychological.
