Imagine this scenario: You’ve invested time building your crypto profile by sharing valuable content and developing your portfolio. Then one day, a recruiter messages you on LinkedIn offering an interview opportunity. They send you a PDF of the job description, but the moment you download and open that file, your digital assets vanish.

Crypto-related scams continue to rise, with job scams emerging as a significant threat.

Crypto job scams are particularly dangerous because they target you at your most vulnerable, when you’re searching for income, potentially clouding your judgment.

Keep on reading to learn about common job scams and how you can protect yourself.

Fake Recruiters

Crypto scammers haunt platforms like LinkedIn and X, posing as recruiters from reputable firms. They slide into your DMs , claiming they found your profile and see you as a perfect fit for a role.

The catch?

You’re asked to download a PDF or install their meeting software which leads to malware stealing your crypto assets. Poof, your crypto wallet has been drained.

How to Protect Yourself From Recruiter Scams

Real recruiters don’t ask you to download specialized meeting apps. Instead they use readily -available tools like Google Meets, Zoom, or Microsoft Teams. In addition, cross-check any recruiter’s identity via the company’s official channels.

You might also want to avoid sharing resume and personal info online. Scammers can pick this up and contact you.

Pig Butchering

Pig butchering scams involve scammers posing as friendly recruiters who build trust with job seekers over time. Victims are “fattened up” with promises of job opportunities, then “slaughtered” when their funds are stolen or locked in inaccessible accounts.

From a job seeker perspective, the recruiter will ask you to do small tasks, typically fake reviews. Then when it’s payment time, they’ll ask you to deposit some crypto to release your payments.

Once you deposit into their platform, your funds are locked and taken away.

How to Avoid Pig Butchering Scams

There is no decent job that requires you to pay money, to get paid. Once you hear a recruiter

While you think no one would fall for such a scheme, reports reveal that thousands fall victim to pig butchering. Scammers prey on emotions such as sunk cost fallacy and loss aversion.

Crypto Kidnappings

Crypto kidnappings are becoming increasingly common. While wealthy individuals are the primary targets, job seekers can also be at risk.

Scammers carefully identify potential victims who are seeking work: typically high-level crypto employees, key opinion leaders (KOLs), and well-paid engineers.

Instead of traditional kidnapping, criminals pose as recruiters and lure victims to isolated locations for fake interviews. These meetings are set up in hotel rooms or fake offices. Once the victim arrives, they’re held at gunpoint and forced to transfer their digital assets.

How to Stop Getting Kidnapped

Prevention is key. While you can opt for digital-only interviews, most of the kidnappers work begins even before the interview. Whenever you post your wallet address, profit and loss (PNL) screenshots and so on, kidnappers create a profile of you.

Another way to protect yourself is to conduct the interviews in public places only, coffee shops, well-known co-working spaces, and the like.

Stay Vigilant, Stay Secure

The crypto job market is thrilling but filled with risks.

Scammers prey on enthusiasm, using fake listings, malware tactics, and pig butchering schemes to exploit job seekers.

Remember to exercise caution when applying for crypto jobs and when contacted by recruiters.