23, Apr, 2024

YouTube Like and Subscribe Scam: Stay Safe Yourself

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In today’s world, the side hustle is king. College students, eager for some extra cash, jump at the chance to earn money online. Scammers know this, and they’re crafting clever tactics to exploit this desire. One such scam is the YouTube Like and Subscribe Scam.

YouTube Like and Subscribe Scam

The YouTube Like and Subscribe Scam preys on people looking for easy online income. Scammers advertise “jobs” on messaging apps, promising big bucks for simply liking and subscribing to YouTube channels. They lure victims with fake earnings trackers and then demand a fake “investment” to unlock the money. Once the victim pays, the scammers disappear, leaving them empty-handed. It’s a tactic that exploits people’s desire for quick cash.

Here’s a breakdown of how the scam operates

  1. Initial Contact: Scammers reach out to potential victims on messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram, offering them part-time work-from-home opportunities.
  2. Job Offer: Victims are promised lucrative earnings of up to Rs 5,000 per day for simple tasks like liking and subscribing to YouTube videos.
  3. Task Assignment: Once individuals accept the job offer, they are added to a Telegram channel where a “task manager” assigns them the job of liking specific YouTube videos.
  4. Fictitious Earnings: Victims are instructed to like the videos and send screenshots as proof to the task manager. Scammers then display fictitious earnings on a fake “job app” to deceive victims into thinking they are making money.
  5. Request for Investment: After accumulating a certain amount of fictitious earnings, victims are asked to invest money (e.g., Rs 5,000) to supposedly receive their earnings.
  6. Money Transfer: Once victims transfer the money, the scammers block them on WhatsApp and Telegram, effectively disappearing with the funds.

To avoid falling victim to this scam:

  1. Be cautious of unsolicited job offers: If you receive a job offer out of the blue, especially on social media platforms, exercise skepticism.
  2. Research the employer: Look into the company or individual offering the job. Legitimate employers typically have a well-established online presence and verifiable contact information.
  3. Verify job details: Before accepting any job offer, clarify the terms, responsibilities, and payment arrangements. Legitimate employers provide clear and transparent information about the job.
  4. Never pay for a job: Legitimate job opportunities do not require upfront payments or investments from employees. Refrain from sending money to anyone promising earnings in exchange for an investment.
  5. Protect personal information: Avoid sharing sensitive personal or financial details with unknown individuals or companies, especially over messaging platforms.
  6. Trust your instincts: If an offer seems too good to be true or raises suspicions, trust your gut instinct and proceed with caution or avoid it altogether.
  7. Report suspicious activity: If you encounter a potential scam, report it to the relevant authorities or platforms to help prevent others from falling victim.

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