Fraudsters are targeting UK residents, particularly students, with a job scam that promises up to £800 a day for liking and sharing TikTok content. Victims are contacted via unsolicited calls or texts, then directed to a WhatsApp number to proceed.
Once engaged, victims receive a small initial payment—funds stolen from other victims—before being asked to pay a fee to unlock higher earnings. Annya Burskys, head of fraud operations at Nationwide, warns that this money goes to organised crime gangs, and some is used to pay other victims.
The scam is surging among 16- to 25-year-olds, with multiple cases reported daily. Losses typically range from hundreds to thousands of pounds. Victims may also be tricked into becoming money mules, allowing their bank accounts to be used for laundering money.
Scammers often impersonate legitimate recruitment agencies like Indeed or TikTok. Indeed states it never contacts jobseekers directly by phone. Burskys advises verifying companies via Companies House or LinkedIn before engaging.
