Baskin Logic Crypto Academy

Scam library

Crypto job and “task” scams

By Joshua Baskin, founder · Reviewed · Sources

How it works

You get a text or message about easy remote work. The tasks are simple and an app shows earnings. Then a task “bundle” puts your account negative and you must deposit crypto to continue or withdraw. The FTC reported in 2024 that these gamified task scams drove record job-scam losses.

Red flags

  • Unsolicited job offer by text or WhatsApp.
  • Pay for liking, rating or “optimising” apps.
  • You must deposit money, usually crypto, to unlock earnings.
  • A “mentor” in a group chat cheers you on.

What to do

Never pay to get a job or to withdraw earnings. Stop, keep records and report.

In the US, report to the FBI at ic3.gov and the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Elsewhere, report to your national police cyber unit and the platform involved. Keep screenshots, wallet addresses and transaction IDs.

Practise it

Train your eye in the Scam Spotter swipe game and the Wallet Security Escape Room.

Lesson game · earn XP

Check yourself: 3 quick questions

Perfect score = combo bonus. Each question returns in your spaced-repetition review.

Keep learning

Common questions

Are any online task jobs real?

Real jobs pay you. If you must pay them, it is a scam.

Why does the app show earnings?

The numbers are fake, to make you deposit.

Sources

  1. FTC Data Spotlight: Paying to get paid, gamified job scams (Oct 2024)
  2. FTC: Job scams
  3. FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)

Sources checked October 23, 2026. Rules change; check the official source before acting.

Education only. Not investment, tax or legal advice. We do not pick coins.