Surge in Online Job Scams, Extortion via Messaging Apps Alarms Cyber Authorities in Pakistan
ISLAMABAD – Authorities have issued a stark warning over a growing wave of cybercrimes involving fake freelance job offers, online extortion, and honey traps circulating through popular messaging platforms such as WhatsApp and Telegram.
According to an official advisory, scammers are targeting unsuspecting individuals across Pakistan—especially in Punjab—by adding them to groups without their consent and posing as recruiters offering freelance work.
Once inside these groups, members are often exposed to inappropriate or explicit content. Victims are then either blackmailed for reacting—or even for not reacting—to such material, with extortion demands reported between Rs1 million and Rs1.5 million.
Cybersecurity teams have found that fraudsters are exploiting users’ WhatsApp display pictures, usernames, and online activity to identify and lure potential targets. Fake accounts are frequently used to initiate contact under the pretext of offering remote work opportunities.
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The advisory has urged the public to remain vigilant against unsolicited job offers and to adjust privacy settings on messaging apps to prevent being added to unknown groups. Users are also advised not to engage with or forward unethical content and to avoid responding to suspicious messages that offer to remove objectionable material.
Authorities emphasized that any such interactions could lead to further manipulation, harassment, or financial blackmail.
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