UK Police Warn Parents and Teens About Rising Social Media Job Scam
Parents and teenagers are being warned to stay alert as fraudulent “job offers” continue to spread across social media platforms, luring young people with false promises of quick money.
North Yorkshire Police revealed that in just the past six months, they have received 40 reports of such scams, with the youngest victim being only 15 years old.
According to detectives, scammers typically post offers claiming people can earn hundreds of pounds by simply liking or sharing online content. These fake opportunities often appear convincing, especially to young people familiar with stories of influencers making money online.
Detective Inspector Janine Mitchell urged families to be cautious:
“If you come across an offer like this, ignore it. Don’t click on suspicious links, and never send money. These scams are designed to trick you into losing your hard-earned cash.”
Police say many victims reported being contacted through platforms like Telegram, where fraudsters impersonated TikTok’s HR department. Victims were told they could earn money by engaging with TikTok posts but were later redirected to WhatsApp numbers or shady websites, where they were asked to transfer money with the promise of a refund. No refunds were ever issued.
North Yorkshire Police also warned that these scams are linked to “money mule” networks, which can lead to serious legal consequences. Victims risk having their bank accounts closed and may unknowingly assist organized crime groups.
“Social media is fantastic when used safely, but criminals are exploiting its reach to target trusting people,” Det Insp Mitchell added. “We urge everyone, especially young people, to stay on guard.”