Residents on the Yorkshire Coast are being urged to exercise caution as North Yorkshire Police have reported a surge in social media job scams targeting young people.
Over the past six months, approximately 40 incidents have been documented, with the youngest victim being just 15 years old.
The scams typically involve individuals receiving messages via Telegram from someone posing as a member of TikTok's HR team. These messages promise lucrative earnings—often hundreds of pounds per day—for simply liking or sharing posts on TikTok. Victims are then directed to a WhatsApp number or a suspicious link to proceed with the "job."
Detective Inspector Janine Mitchell from the North Yorkshire Police’s Economic Crime Unit explained the mechanics of the scam:
“Once they comply with the request, they are later told that they need to send money with the promise of receiving a refund. The victims send the money but do not receive anything in return.”
The situation escalates when victims receive payments from other unsuspecting individuals, only to be instructed to send those funds to different accounts. This practice is indicative of money mule activity, which can lead to criminal charges and may result in banks closing accounts due to suspicious activities.
In addition to financial losses, victims may also face requests for personal information or be coerced into purchasing equipment as part of the scam. “Not only do the victims of these scams lose money, but in some cases they also have to deal with the closure of their bank account which can compound the distress of finding out they’ve been scammed,” Mitchell added.
North Yorkshire Police strongly advise anyone encountering such offers to ignore them, refrain from clicking any provided links, and avoid sending any money. “Social media is great when it is used legitimately but unfortunately it is also used by criminals who target unsuspecting and trusting people. Please always be on your guard,” Mitchell cautioned.
For those who believe they have fallen victim to this scam, they are encouraged to report it to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040 or visiting their website, or to contact North Yorkshire Police at 101 or through their official website.
The warning serves as a stark reminder for parents and young people in the Yorkshire Coast region to remain vigilant in the face of growing online threats.
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