With the rise of the crypto industry, scammers are devising new ways to deceive industry participants. Cybercriminals now target not only financial resources but also job seekers.
New Tricks in the Digital Assets Industry
Amid the recent interest surge in cryptocurrencies, scammers have increased their activity, targeting job seekers. Deribit has identified a surge in fake recruiters posing as representatives of well-known firms, aimed at deceiving developers and senior professionals. Such scams are becoming more common as the value of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, which recently surpassed record levels of $109,000, continues to rise.
Beware of Fake Recruiters
Anthony Sweeney, CISO at Deribit, reported that scammers are creating fake LinkedIn profiles, claiming to be recruiters from well-known crypto firms. They offer enticing job opportunities and request candidates to undertake 'online assessments,' which actually install malware. Be aware that if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Fake Offices and Offers
Scammers may arrange meetings at fake offices to sign contracts. For instance, a victim was invited to an office in LA, while Deribit does not have offices in the US. Verify the profiles of people you communicate with; if they were recently created and lack a clear link to the company, it’s a red flag. It's crucial to confirm with the company's HR.
Be cautious and thoroughly verify information when seeking jobs in the crypto industry. Always check the authenticity of any offers with official company representatives to avoid deception and protect your data and assets.