National CERT Warns of Freelancing Job Scam Targeting Pakistani Youth via WhatsApp

National CERT Warns of Freelancing Job Scam Targeting Pakistani Youth via WhatsApp

National CERT Pakistan has issued a critical cybersecurity advisory warning the public about a growing scam campaign that specifically targets freelancers, university students, remote workers, and job seekers through deceptive job offers on messaging platforms, primarily WhatsApp. This malicious campaign, described as a freelancing-based honey trap or job scam, uses social engineering tactics to lure victims into digital traps that result in financial blackmail, emotional distress, and reputational harm.

According to the advisory, scammers initiate contact by inviting individuals into WhatsApp groups under the pretense of offering remote work opportunities. Once trust is established, the attackers share explicit content within the group to provoke responses or interaction. These interactions are then exploited to entrap the victim. In many cases, the scammers escalate their tactics by impersonating law enforcement officials and threatening legal consequences unless a ransom is paid. Victims are often extorted for sums ranging between 10 to 15 lac Pakistani Rupees, creating significant financial and psychological burden.

The campaign has been designed to exploit vulnerable segments of the population, with a particular focus on those active in the digital gig economy. As more Pakistanis turn to online freelancing and remote work, such scams pose a direct threat to their digital safety and economic well-being. These traps are often sophisticated, exploiting victims’ need for employment and their unfamiliarity with proper online safety protocols.

The risks associated with this scam extend beyond financial extortion. Victims face the potential exposure of personal identity information and sensitive data, leading to long-term reputational damage. Many also experience severe emotional distress due to the coercive and humiliating nature of the threats involved. In some reported cases, individuals were coerced into further compromising actions under pressure, compounding their vulnerability.

National CERT has urged all internet users, especially freelancers and students, to exercise heightened caution when dealing with unsolicited job offers through WhatsApp or Telegram. Users are advised to avoid engaging with or forwarding any obscene content, to verify the authenticity of any job-related communication, and to limit their exposure by reviewing and updating their privacy settings. The advisory strongly recommends relying only on official and trusted freelancing platforms when searching for remote work opportunities. Moreover, raising awareness within social circles and professional communities is seen as a critical step in disrupting the spread of such scams.

As social engineering attacks become more prevalent in Pakistan’s digital landscape, National CERT continues to monitor cyber threats and share timely guidance to protect citizens from emerging digital threats.

Source: LinkedIn

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