Online side job where you have to pay first? How task scams with crypto work
Date: | Week 45 | Reading time: 6 minutesAuthor: Simcha Schrijver
In brief
In a task scam with crypto you are offered a work-from-home job with simple tasks, such as leaving reviews or rating products. After a small first payout you have to pay in crypto yourself to carry on or to withdraw your earnings. That money usually does not come back.
Paucitas sees that people often notice late that something is wrong, because the balance on screen keeps growing. Unsure about a side job, or have you already paid? Paucitas finds out where your money went and what is still possible.
Contact Paucitas. A no-obligation introduction is always possible.
Put simply
A real employer never asks you to pay first. If you must deposit crypto to unlock tasks or withdraw your pay, stop and have it checked first. Let Paucitas take a look with you.
It often starts in a friendly way. A message or call about a side job from home, an hour a day, well paid. You do a few tasks, actually receive a small payment and it feels like a lucky break. Only later does it become clear that there is a catch. This happens to many people, including people who are normally very careful.
What is a task scam with crypto?
In this type of job scam you are offered work that looks easy. You give stars to hotels, rate products or click on videos, through a website or app of the so-called company. On your screen you see your earnings go up. The first time you really do receive a small payment, so it feels trustworthy.
Then things change. You get a task you can only do if you first deposit money yourself, usually in crypto through an app or platform. Or your balance suddenly turns negative and you have to top it up. Or you can only withdraw your earnings after paying for tax, verification or an upgrade. Each time there is a new reason.
Which warning signs can point to a task scam?
Paucitas sees the same patterns again and again in practice. If you recognise one or more of these points, it is wise to pause for a moment:
- You were approached yourself, from an unknown number, a group chat or a text about work.
- The pay is high for little work, for example hundreds of pounds a day for an hour.
- The conversation quickly moves to a chat app, with a fixed mentor or supervisor.
- You must install a crypto app or convert money into crypto to be able to work.
- You must first deposit money yourself to unlock tasks or withdraw your balance.
- New costs keep appearing, sometimes with time pressure or a penalty if you stop.
Recognising these signs does not automatically mean it is a scam. Genuine work-from-home jobs exist. But an employer who makes you pay is always a reason to let someone take a look first. Paucitas is happy to do that, even if it is about a single message.
Why is crypto used?
Crypto is fast, works across borders and a payment cannot simply be reversed. For the people behind such a platform, that is convenient. Often you first buy crypto through a well-known platform and then send it on to an address you are given. From that moment you see a balance on the screen of the so-called company, but that number says nothing about where your money really is.
This is exactly where Paucitas can bring clarity. A blockchain is public. Paucitas follows your payments step by step and sees whether the money was passed on, split up or ended up at a platform that can cooperate. Read more about blockchain analysis.
I have already paid, what now?
Stop paying, even if you are told that one last payment will release everything. Keep everything: the chats, the names and numbers, screenshots of the platform, the payment receipts and the addresses you sent crypto to. After that, be extra careful with people who approach you offering to get your money back. Sadly, that is a well-known next step, and the FCA also warns about offers to get your money back after you pay a fee.
Paucitas then examines everything together. Paucitas reads the conversations, messages, emails and documents, builds a timeline and maps where all the money went. That gives you one complete picture in a report anyone can follow step by step. Paucitas does not promise that money will come back. But afterwards you know exactly where you stand.
What can you do with the Paucitas report?
The report shows whether any money can still be reached, where it went and what logical next steps are. If it turns out to be a scam, the report is a strong attachment to a report to Report Fraud or the police, because everything is set out completely and clearly. It also gives your bank or solicitor clarity.
Why people trust Paucitas
Paucitas is an independent firm of experts based in Amsterdam, with its own office where you are welcome. Paucitas carries out all investigation itself, has many client reviews and regularly appears in the media. An honest picture comes first. Before starting, Paucitas discusses a tailored quote, with no surprises afterwards.
Paucitas can be reached 24/7 on +31 20 244 5774; the phone is answered in English. Through the form you will hear from us within 1 to 3 hours, and emails are answered within 24 hours, usually the same day.
Sources: FCA, protect yourself from scams; FCA, crypto investment scams.
Do you have questions about this blog?
Feel free to get in touch with Paucitas. Paucitas can be reached by phone 24/7, including evenings and weekends. Through the contact form we usually reply within 1 to 3 hours, and we answer e-mail within 24 hours.
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Frequently asked questions about task scams with crypto
Is every side job where I have to use crypto a scam?
Paucitas sees that the big difference lies in who pays. A real employer pays you. If you must first deposit money or crypto yourself to be allowed to work or to withdraw your pay, caution is needed. Feel free to have it checked first.
I really received money at the start. Can it still be fake?
Paucitas sees that a small first payout is often used precisely to win trust. The larger deposits follow after that. A payout therefore does not automatically mean the platform is reliable.
Can I get my money back?
Paucitas: it depends on your situation. If you still have access to your own wallet or account holding funds, there are sometimes options. If everything was transferred to the scammers, things are different. That cannot be judged from a distance. Paucitas first looks at your situation and tells you honestly what is and is not possible. Be careful with parties that promise in advance that your money will come back. In doubt? Contact Paucitas and you will know where you stand.
What should I keep if I think things are going wrong?
Paucitas advises keeping everything: chats, names, phone numbers, screenshots of the platform, payment receipts and the crypto addresses you sent to. With that information Paucitas can reconstruct the route of your money and a timeline.
How quickly can Paucitas look into it?
Paucitas can be reached by phone 24/7, in English. Through the form you will hear from us within 1 to 3 hours. An investigation usually takes from the same day to about two weeks, depending on the case.
From Amsterdam, for the whole of the UK
Everything can be done fully online. Prefer to meet in person? You are very welcome at our office in Amsterdam, by appointment.
Paucitas is an independent expert firm based in the Netherlands that, for clients across the UK, investigates investment fraud and crypto fraud, establishes the origin and legitimacy of crypto assets and prepares expert reports for legal proceedings and compliance.
Your own situation
If you are reading this, you probably have a question about your own situation. That is exactly what Paucitas does.
The first step is contact by phone. You can book that call by phone or through the contact form, so you do not have to wait. In the call we look together at what can factually be established in your case and what Paucitas can examine for you.