National CERT Warns of Rising Freelance Job Scams on WhatsApp
The National Cyber Emergency Response Team (National CERT) of Pakistan has issued an important advisory about a growing number of scams targeting job seekers through messaging apps like WhatsApp.
Fraudsters are posing as recruiters from legitimate freelancing platforms and inviting individuals—especially youth, students, and freelancers—into WhatsApp groups. These groups often include fake members to appear credible. Once inside, victims may be exposed to inappropriate content and then blackmailed.
Scammers pressure victims to pay large sums of money, often between Rs. 1 to 1.5 million, threatening legal action by impersonating law enforcement officials.
These scams, known as “honey trap” attacks, cause serious financial loss, emotional distress, and damage to victims’ reputations. Attackers also misuse personal information from social media and messaging profiles to target individuals and their networks.
National CERT highlights that vulnerabilities such as public exposure of personal information, the ability to be added to groups without consent, and limited awareness about online safety contribute to the problem. Many victims engage with unsolicited job offers on informal platforms instead of verified freelancing websites, increasing their risk.
Preventive Measures Recommended by National CERT:
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Adjust privacy settings on messaging apps
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Avoid responding to unknown job offers
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Leave any groups that share inappropriate content immediately
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Do not share or react to explicit material
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Use only reputable freelancing platforms
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Report suspicious activity to authorities promptly
The advisory has been shared with law enforcement agencies, digital platforms, and relevant institutions. Anyone affected or aware of such scams is encouraged to report incidents through the National CERT portal, the PTA complaint system, or the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency.
Stay vigilant and protect your digital safety.
