Australian consumer regulator Scamwatch has issued an alert over job recruitment scams in which criminals impersonate Amazon and YouTube, offering high-paid remote work via SMS. The scammers pose as recruiters advertising flexible, task-based positions as 'e-commerce assistants' or product optimisers, claiming only 20 or 25 spots are available. Victims are directed to encrypted WhatsApp chats, given small payments to build trust, then asked to deposit their own money to 'unlock' the next set of tasks — money that is never recovered.

The alert warns that anyone could be targeted, but those actively searching for employment or flexible work are at greater risk. Scamwatch advises people to ignore unexpected recruiter contact via SMS or encrypted messaging, never pay money upfront to start a job, and verify job offers through legitimate recruitment sites or by contacting the company directly using a phone number they source themselves. "No real job will require you to pay money before you make money," the regulator states.