In the last times, The Mossos d'Esquadra have raised the alarm over a new and sophisticated scam method circulating in Telegram groups.. The mechanism, based on promises of quick and easy money online, affects users throughout Spain and stands out for its ability to pass itself off as a legitimate opportunity and obtain both personal data such as economic transfers of the unwary. Learn how to detect fake profiles on social networks.
The popularization of instant messaging applications like Telegram has gone hand in hand with the rise of digital traps that use these channels to access new victims. Cybercriminals take advantage of anonymity and ease of access to orchestrate frauds in real time, often with a professional appearance.. To expand your knowledge about threats on social networks, you can consult the page Phishing alerts and tips.
The lure of easy money: this is how fraud begins
The play usually starts when a user, often unexpectedly, is added to a Telegram group with a supposed job offerThe most common hook is the promise of 'Up to 100 euros a day' by completing simple tasks on Instagram, such as following accounts or liking posts.
In these groups, an alleged administrator named Emma welcomes you in a friendly manner and explains the job without difficulty: You only have to interact with certain Instagram profiles. "This work is managed by the Instagram team and is paid immediately after each task. You can earn between 20 and 100 euros a day", they usually state.
First task and initial payments: the illusion of truthfulness
To enhance the appearance of transparency, Scammers assign a test task with immediate reward: following and liking real Instagram accounts, usually those of people unrelated to the plot, who know nothing about their involvement. Once the task is completed, The victim receives a small income, for example 5 euros, increasing the credibility of the “business”.
This first payment It is the key to getting users to let their guard down. and are encouraged to share more information or perform other tasks within the group, always with the expectation of receiving larger amounts for what appears to be legitimate online work.
The ultimate trap: the unlock payment
However, When you reach the supposed possibility of obtaining the highest payments – the famous 100 euros per day – a prior deposit is required.The excuse can vary: a commission, a deposit, proof of solvency... But the result is always the same: the user makes the transfer, and at that point, the group's contacts disappear or are blocked, thus consolidating the fraud.
It is essential to emphasize that No authentic job requires money in advance to access higher earnings.The demand for advance payment is a clear sign that this is a scam and not a real job offer.
The use of real profiles and manipulation techniques
One of the most dangerous aspects of this fraud is the use of authentic Instagram accounts as supposed customers of the service.Thus, scammers walk the fine line between credibility and innocence, confusing users by presenting verified or well-known profiles in other sectors.
Furthermore, The messages are professionally written and use a convincing tone to minimize suspicion., which demonstrates the growing sophistication of this type of digital deception.
Additional risks: identity theft and long-term consequences
The impact of this type of scam is not limited to the specific economic loss. By providing banking information or personal data in the process, the victim may be exposed to other frauds or even identity theft.Therefore, the Mossos d'Esquadra insist on the importance of extreme caution. To better understand how to protect your data, review how to protect your data on social media.
Among the tricks used, the request for verification codes sent by SMS, screen sharing, or installing malicious apps, strategies that seek to obtain the greatest possible access to the victim's personal information.
How to protect yourself and official recommendations
When faced with any proposal that promises easy money in exchange for trivial activities on social networks, the advice is to reject it immediately.The regional security forces remind that Do not provide personal information to strangers, make advance payments, or trust unverified links.For details on how to deal with these scams, see official alerts and safety tips.
Also, if you receive a suspicious message or detect a strange group on Telegram with these characteristics, The best measure is to block contact and report the incident to the authorities., with the aim of preventing new cases and avoiding the proliferation of these deceptive practices.
The growing number of complaints shows that Digital scams are constantly evolving, adapting to the most popular habits and platforms among Internet users.Staying informed and reacting cautiously to overly attractive offers is more essential than ever for safe online browsing.