Pokemon-themed job scam resurfaces, leaving victims at least $71,000 out of pocket

Received a remote online job offer involving your favourite trading cards, such as Pokemon?

Do not be enticed to complete "tasks" or be lured by the promise of easy commissions payment, or you could end up with a depleted bank account.

In an advisory on Monday (Sept 14), police warned of a resurgence of job scams involving online tasks associated with Pokemon and other trading cards.

Victims are typically contacted through unsolicited messages or calls and offered remote online jobs involving Pokemon or trading card-related tasks.

They are then directed to fraudulent websites where they are instructed to complete tasks such as opening digital trading card packs or selecting trading cards in exchange for commissions.

To complete these tasks or unlock higher-value opportunities, victims are required to make cryptocurrency transfers or deposits.

According to the police, some victims would initially receive small payments, which created the impression that the jobs are legitimate.

The victims are later asked to make additional payments to complete tasks, clear negative balances, restore their accounts, or withdraw their purported earnings.

Victims only realise they have been scammed when they are unable to withdraw their purported earnings from the websites.

Since Aug 25, losses of at least $71,000 have been reported in at least 12 such cases.

Remember, if an opportunity sounds too good to be true, then it likely isn't.

Members of the public are advised not to accept dubious job offers that promise lucrative returns for minimal effort or require upfront payments.

Those in doubt can call the 24/7 ScamShield Helpline at 1799.

你收到过一份与你最喜欢的集换式卡牌游戏（例如宝可梦卡牌游戏）相关的远程在线工作邀请吗？

不要被“任务”诱惑，也不要被轻松赚取佣金的承诺所诱惑，否则你最终可能会倾家荡产。

周一（9 月 14 日），警方发布公告警告称，与宝可梦和其他集换式卡牌相关的在线任务诈骗活动再次抬头。

受害者通常会收到未经请求的信息或电话，并被提供与宝可梦或集换式卡牌相关的远程在线工作。

然后，他们会被引导至欺诈网站，在那里他们被指示完成诸如打开数字交易卡包或选择交易卡之类的任务，以换取佣金。

为了完成这些任务或解锁更高价值的机会，受害者需要进行加密货币转账或存款。

警方表示，一些受害者最初会收到少量报酬，这造成了工作合法性的假象。

受害者随后被要求支付额外费用以完成任务、清除负余额、恢复账户或提取所谓的收入。

受害者只有在无法从网站提取所谓的收益时，才会意识到自己被骗了。

自 8 月 25 日以来，至少有 12 起此类案件报告了至少 71,000 美元的损失。

记住，如果一个机会听起来好得令人难以置信，那么它很可能就不是真的。

建议公众不要接受那些承诺付出最小努力就能获得丰厚回报或要求预先支付费用的可疑工作邀请。

如有疑问，可拨打 24/7 ScamShield 热线 1799。