Madrid Resident Loses €30,000 in 'Like Scam' on Job Search Platform. In Madrid, a man fell victim to a 'like scam' scheme and lost more than €30,000. Fraudsters used a fake job posting with the promise of remote work. The case was investigated by the Guardia Civil.
A major fraud scheme has been uncovered in Madrid, resulting in a local resident losing over €30,000. The scheme, known as a 'like scam' or 'easy job scam,' was carried out through a popular online job search platform. The victim, seeking additional income, responded to an ad for a high-paying remote job requiring minimal effort.
After the initial contact, the fraudsters assessed the man's personal situation and invited him to a chat with other alleged job seekers. In the first stage, he was asked to 'like' and rate products on a website, which seemed harmless and even brought an initial payment of €1,000. This transfer was meant to inspire trust and convince him of the legitimacy of the earnings.
The second phase of the scam
A few weeks later, the scammers announced the introduction of a 'star product' that supposedly offered much higher commissions. To participate, he was required to deposit his own funds. Confident in the scheme's legitimacy, the man transferred over €30,000 to accounts provided by the organizers. The platform displayed a virtual balance that far exceeded his actual investment.
However, when he tried to withdraw his money, he was asked to pay an additional €40,000, allegedly for taxes and fees. At that point, the man started researching similar schemes and realized he had been scammed. He reached out to the Guardia Civil using an online reporting system.
Investigation and police response
The case was taken under the control of ON-RED (Oficina Nacional de Recepción Electrónica de Denuncias), and specialists from Equipo @ Cibercomandancia initiated the blocking of transfers and analyzed the correspondence between the victim and the fraudsters. Careful monitoring of the movement of funds made it possible, after several months, to identify the suspected organizer of the scheme. The case materials and the suspect were handed over to the court of the province of Seville, where the suspect resides.
Growing threat and warning
The Guardia Civil notes that the 'like scam' and similar schemes are becoming increasingly common. Fraudsters exploit people's financial vulnerability and trust in well-known job search platforms. Authorities recommend exercising caution when responding to offers with suspiciously easy conditions and promises of quick earnings.
