Fake recruiters targeting cryptocurrency and technology professionals
Summary: Scammers impersonate legitimate recruiters or HR representatives from well‑known companies to target professionals, especially in the cryptocurrency and technology sectors, with convincing but fake job offers. They often contact people through text messages, social media, or professional networking platforms, even if the recipients never applied to the impersonated company. Scammers then direct victims to external websites to complete skills tests, download software, or record videos as part of the fake recruitment process. These actions can cause victims to install malware or expose sensitive information such as account credentials or cryptocurrency wallet details.
Tactic used: Impersonation. Scammers steal identities and impersonate real employees of the impersonated company. They build trust by using stolen photos and professional details, copying company branding, and creating polished recruiter profiles online. They also register email domains that closely resemble legitimate company addresses with subtle misspellings which can be overlooked when skim-reading, and provide convincing job descriptions, all designed to appear authentic.
Top recommendations:
Verify any unexpected recruiter contact or job posting with the company by reaching out directly through the contact details listed on their official website, by manually searching for it on your browser.
Avoid downloading unfamiliar software, visiting unverified websites, or using unconventional tools for interviews.