Two traps in one: How criminals fleece their victims with fake jobs and crypto investment fraud
Summary
Why is this warning issued?
This warning has been included because it is based on a report from Watchlist Internet. It is intended to protect other users from this scam. The assessed risk is elevated.
How the scam works
- You receive a job offer for work from home (in the documented case via 'handmadeshops.net') with promises of high earnings.
- A personal 'assistant' is assigned to you via messenger and gives you tasks.
- For completed tasks, pay is supposedly credited to a user account – however, this balance does not actually exist.
- Over time, the tasks become larger and more expensive. You are supposed to transfer the difference from your own funds.
- When you request a payout, alleged 'fees' and 'taxes' are invented that you are supposed to pay in advance.
- As soon as you indicate you have no more money, you are offered an allegedly safe crypto investment and redirected to a new 'mentor' or a new platform (e.g., 'Z-Cash').
- There, the same game begins: deposits are demanded, payouts are blocked with ever new charges – potentially endless.
How to recognise it
- Job offer via messenger with promises of high earnings for little effort and flexible time management
- A personal 'assistant' is assigned for onboarding and continuously gives new tasks
- The alleged balance in the user account increases, but payouts are constantly blocked with new 'fees' and 'taxes'
- You are supposed to add your own money in order to allegedly complete lucrative tasks
- As soon as there is no more money, you are suddenly offered a 'safe' crypto investment via a new platform (e.g., Z-Cash, fullzcash.vip)
- Transfers are supposed to be made to private accounts of individuals abroad
- Pressure to sell possessions, take out loans, or borrow money from friends and acquaintances
- Guaranteed or above-average returns
How to protect yourself
- Do not pay any more money – neither for 'fees', 'taxes' nor for alleged investments. A payout will not come.
- End contact immediately and block the persons on messenger and phone.
- File a report with the police and beforehand secure all chat histories, payment receipts, and platform names as evidence.
- Inform your bank about the incident and describe the situation.
- Be alert to 'recovery scams': criminals later claim they can recover your lost money for a small fee.
- If in doubt, contact your local Verbraucherzentrale for advice.
What you should never do
- Do not transfer money to settle alleged 'fees' or 'taxes' for a payout.
- Do not sell your property and do not take out loans in order to be able to make further deposits.
- Do not borrow money from friends or acquaintances to make further 'investments'.
- Do not accept transfers to private bank accounts abroad – these are presumably accounts used for money laundering (so-called money mules).
- Do not accept later offers that promise you a 'recovery' of the lost money.
Frequently asked questions
Will I ever get my money back?
According to Watchlist Internet, the chance of a chargeback is practically zero. You should nevertheless inform your bank immediately and file a report with the police.
What are the alleged 'fees' and 'taxes' for?
These costs do not actually exist. They are only invented to get you to make further payments. A payout will not occur.
Where did the criminals get my data from?
This can usually not be traced precisely. Data often reaches criminals via data leaks, stolen address books, or contact details freely available on the internet.
Why am I supposed to transfer to private accounts abroad?
It is likely that these are accounts of accomplices or so-called 'money mules' used for money laundering. In doing so, you could make yourself criminally liable.
What is a 'recovery scam' and why should I be careful?
Criminals later specifically contact previous victims and claim they can recover the lost money for a small fee. This is another trap – do not pay anything here either.
Affected data
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Original source
Find more information in the original source.
Watchlist Internet ↗Update history
- 28/08/2026Description updated
- 27/08/2026Warning added from an official source