Fake Job Offer Scam
FTC 2024 data shows business and job opportunity fraud caused $750.6M in losses — up nearly $250M from 2023. Common variants include fake remote job offers requiring upfront 'equipment' purchases and reshipping scams that make victims unknowingly participate in money laundering.
Reports
$750.6M FTC 2024 losses
First documented
2019
Last active
2026-03
⚠ This page documents a reported scam pattern for educational purposes. Sources are cited for all statistics and claims. ZeroScam is not affiliated with the FTC, FBI, or FCC.
What the scam says
Variant 1: Unsolicited WhatsApp or text message about a remote job. Requires you to purchase equipment upfront (often via gift card or crypto). Equipment never arrives and money is lost. Variant 2: Reshipping scam — you receive packages and reship them. You are later told the packages contained stolen goods and you unknowingly committed mail fraud.
4 red flags
FTC 2024: job/business opportunity fraud surged to $750.6M — up $250M from 2023
Legitimate employers never ask you to buy your own equipment via gift card
Unsolicited job offers via WhatsApp, Telegram, or text are almost always scams
Reshipping jobs make you an unwitting accomplice in stolen goods trafficking
What to do
Never pay to start a job — legitimate employers provide equipment
Verify any job offer by searching the company independently
Do not reship packages from strangers — report to FBI IC3 at ic3.gov
Report to FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov — select 'job opportunity scam'
Report this scam
Source
FTC Consumer Sentinel 2024 — business and job opportunity scams $750.6M in losses (up $250M from 2023); FTC consumer alert
https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/job-scams ↗People also search for
Frequently asked questions
What is the Fake Job Offer Scam?▼
FTC 2024 data shows business and job opportunity fraud caused $750.6M in losses — up nearly $250M from 2023. Common variants include fake remote job offers requiring upfront 'equipment' purchases and reshipping scams that make victims unknowingly participate in money laundering.
How do I recognize a Fake Job Offer Scam?▼
Red flags: FTC 2024: job/business opportunity fraud surged to $750.6M — up $250M from 2023; Legitimate employers never ask you to buy your own equipment via gift card; Unsolicited job offers via WhatsApp, Telegram, or text are almost always scams.
What should I do if I receive a Fake Job Offer Scam?▼
Never pay to start a job — legitimate employers provide equipment Verify any job offer by searching the company independently Do not reship packages from strangers — report to FBI IC3 at ic3.gov
How common is the Fake Job Offer Scam?▼
$750.6M FTC 2024 losses. First documented: 2019. Source: FTC Consumer Sentinel 2024 — business and job opportunity scams $750.6M in losses (up $250M from 2023); FTC consumer alert.
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Check your message →Source: FTC Consumer Sentinel 2024 — business and job opportunity scams $750.6M in losses (up $250M from 2023); FTC consumer alert
First documented: 2019 · Last active: 2026-03
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