The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has warned the public of a new modus operandi criminal elements have devised to target desperate job seekers and force them into labour trafficking linked to cryptocurrency scams.
The bureau issued a statement on Monday, advising U.S. citizens and others travelling abroad to exercise caution on advertisements connected to labour trafficking, which held victims against their will, intimidated them, or forced them to “commit international cryptocurrency investment fraud schemes.”
How do the scammers operate?
According to the FBI, the criminals post false job advertisements on social media and online employment sites for roles including tech support, call centre customer service, and beauty salon technicians. Respondents are lured by the promise of competitive salaries, lucrative benefits, and paid travel and living expenses.
As the recruiting process continues, the location for the position is changed from the one listed in the posting, and once the candidates arrive in the country, “criminal actors use multiple means to coerce them to commit cryptocurrency investment schemes, such as confiscation of passports and travel documents, the threat of violence, and use of violence.”
The criminals assign debts to the victims claiming they are responsible for the cost of travel and accommodations, and use these supposed debts and the victims’ fear of local law enforcement to control them. “Trafficked victims are sometimes sold and transferred between compounds, further adding to their debt,” they said.
Where are the victims targeted?
The FBI said that most of the victims are targeted in Southeast Asia, where criminal organizations operate scam compounds that facilitate cryptocurrency fraud.
The FBI’s Detroit Field Office and the National Police of Ukraine recently partnered to shut down a number of virtual currency exchange services also conducting online fraud. The agency said that some of these services were linked to labour trafficking victims who were coerced into opening bank accounts and transferring funds on behalf of the criminals.
How can the victims protect themselves?
The FBI urged job seekers to properly research the advertised company before accepting any job offer and to be wary of “vague language” about the company or thin employment details.
They also said postings with unusually high salaries and perks should be seen as a red flag. The agency said anyone considering relocating to a different country for work should inform family and friends of the details of the job, including the contact info from the posting, and they should “schedule regular check-ins with family and friends to confirm safety and well-being.”
They also advised travellers to enrol in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at step.state.gov to receive safety, security, and travel advisories for their destination country.
The FBI also encouraged anyone who has information about these scams or who has been victimized by them to contact their local FBI office or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov.
© Solana Daily Brief, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This article is for informational purposes only. It is not to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.