Trend Micro Unmasks Global "Task Scam" Industry
Trend Micro (OTC:TMICY) has released groundbreaking research exposing the growing threat of "task scams" - sophisticated online job fraud schemes that systematically defraud victims through deceptive digital tasks and escalating deposit demands. The study reveals that 39% of victims only realize they've been scammed after significant financial losses.
The research uncovered cryptocurrency wallets linked to these scams, with one wallet receiving over $187,000 in under two months and another connected to $1.2 million in transactions. The scammers employ sophisticated tactics including company impersonation, gamified platforms, and multiple communication channels to appear legitimate.
In response, Trend Micro has launched ScamCheck with Scam Radar, offering real-time protection against these emerging threats.
Trend Micro (OTC:TMICY) ha pubblicato una ricerca che mette in luce la diffusione delle cosiddette "task scams": frodi lavorative online sempre più sofisticate che truffano le vittime attraverso attività digitali ingannevoli e richieste di depositi crescenti. Lo studio mostra che il 39% delle vittime si accorge della truffa solo dopo aver subìto perdite economiche rilevanti.
La ricerca ha individuato portafogli di criptovalute collegati a queste frodi: uno ha ricevuto oltre $187.000 in meno di due mesi e un altro è legato a transazioni per $1,2 milioni. I truffatori usano tattiche avanzate, come l'imitazione di aziende, piattaforme gamificate e canali di comunicazione multipli per sembrare credibili.
Per contrastare il fenomeno, Trend Micro ha lanciato ScamCheck con Scam Radar, offrendo protezione in tempo reale contro queste minacce emergenti.
Trend Micro (OTC:TMICY) ha publicado una investigación que revela la creciente amenaza de las "task scams": estafas laborales en línea cada vez más sofisticadas que engañan a las víctimas mediante tareas digitales fraudulentas y exigencias de depósitos progresivos. El estudio indica que el 39% de las víctimas solo se percata del fraude después de sufrir pérdidas económicas significativas.
La investigación identificó billeteras de criptomonedas vinculadas a estas estafas: una recibió más de $187,000 en menos de dos meses y otra está relacionada con $1.2 millones en transacciones. Los estafadores emplean tácticas complejas, como la suplantación de empresas, plataformas gamificadas y múltiples canales de comunicación para aparentar legitimidad.
Como respuesta, Trend Micro ha lanzado ScamCheck con Scam Radar, que ofrece protección en tiempo real contra estas amenazas emergentes.
Trend Micro (OTC:TMICY)는 점점 확산되는 '태스크 스캠(task scams)'의 위험성을 밝혀내는 획기적인 연구 결과를 발표했습니다. 이러한 정교한 온라인 채용 사기들은 속이는 디지털 작업과 점증하는 입금 요구로 피해자들을 체계적으로 사취합니다. 연구에 따르면 피해자의 39%는 상당한 금전적 손실을 입은 뒤에야 사기를 인지합니다.
연구진은 이들 사기와 연결된 암호화폐 지갑들을 발견했는데, 한 지갑은 두 달도 안 되어 $187,000 이상을 수령했고, 다른 지갑은 $1.2백만에 달하는 거래와 연관되어 있습니다. 사기꾼들은 회사 사칭, 게임화된 플랫폼, 다중 커뮤니케이션 채널 등 정교한 수법을 사용해 신뢰성을 가장합니다.
이에 대응해 Trend Micro는 ScamCheck with Scam Radar를 출시해 이러한 새로운 위협에 대해 실시간 보호를 제공합니다.
Trend Micro (OTC:TMICY) a publié une étude révélatrice sur la menace grandissante des "task scams" : des arnaques d'emploi en ligne sophistiquées qui escroquent les victimes via des tâches numériques trompeuses et des demandes de dépôts croissantes. L'étude révèle que 39 % des victimes ne réalisent qu'après des pertes financières importantes qu'elles ont été victimes d'une arnaque.
La recherche a identifié des portefeuilles de cryptomonnaies liés à ces escroqueries : l'un a reçu plus de $187,000 en moins de deux mois et un autre est associé à $1,2 million de transactions. Les escrocs utilisent des tactiques sophistiquées, notamment l'usurpation d'entreprise, des plateformes gamifiées et plusieurs canaux de communication pour paraître légitimes.
Pour y répondre, Trend Micro a lancé ScamCheck avec Scam Radar, offrant une protection en temps réel contre ces menaces émergentes.
Trend Micro (OTC:TMICY) hat eine bahnbrechende Untersuchung veröffentlicht, die die wachsende Bedrohung durch sogenannte "Task-Scams" aufzeigt – ausgeklügelte Online-Job-Betrugsmaschen, die Opfer durch täuschende digitale Aufgaben und steigende Einzahlungsaufforderungen systematisch ausnehmen. Die Studie zeigt, dass 39 % der Opfer erst nach erheblichen finanziellen Verlusten erkennen, dass sie betrogen wurden.
Die Forschung identifizierte Kryptowährungs-Wallets, die mit diesen Betrügereien in Verbindung stehen: Ein Wallet erhielt in unter zwei Monaten über $187.000, ein anderes ist mit Transaktionen über $1,2 Millionen verknüpft. Die Betrüger nutzen ausgefeilte Taktiken wie Firmenimitation, gamifizierte Plattformen und mehrere Kommunikationskanäle, um glaubwürdig zu wirken.
Als Reaktion hat Trend Micro ScamCheck mit Scam Radar eingeführt, das Echtzeitschutz gegen diese aufkommenden Bedrohungen bietet.
- Launch of ScamCheck with Scam Radar for real-time scam protection
- Comprehensive research establishing Trend Micro's leadership in cybersecurity threat detection
- Development of new technology to identify scam tactics in real-time
- Growing sophistication of cybercrime threats could increase demand for advanced security solutions
- Potential reputational risks for companies being impersonated in these scams
New research exposes operations behind deceptive digital job platforms and highlights growing financial and psychological harm to victims
To read the full report, Unmasking Task Scams, visit: https://www.trendmicro.com/vinfo/us/security/news/cybercrime-and-digital-threats/unmasking-task-scams-to-prevent-financial-fallout-from-fraud
Robert McArdle, Director of Forward Threat Research at Trend: "Task scams are now one of the most financially and psychologically damaging cybercrime threats individuals face today. The infrastructure enabling them, from domain registrars to SMS blasting services, requires immediate attention. Meanwhile, organizations can reduce risk by making their recruitment practices transparent and educating job seekers on how to identify legitimate communications."
Trend™ Research uncovers a sprawling global criminal infrastructure that impersonate legitimate companies, exploit trusted communications channels, and prey on job seekers using gamification techniques. Trend reports that scammers are transferring millions via cryptocurrency wallets, with victims losing between hundreds and hundreds of thousands of dollars each.
Modern scam tactics are highly targeted and designed to go undetected. In a recent global study of over 6,500 consumers conducted by Trend,
The report includes firsthand engagements with scammers, infrastructure mapping of malicious websites, and forensic analysis of associated cryptocurrency wallets. In one case, a single wallet received over US
Key findings include:
- Impersonation of real companies including staffing firms and digital marketing agencies.
- Gamified scam platforms with VIP levels, reward streaks, and achievement incentives.
- Widespread use of SMS, WhatsApp, Telegram, and fake websites to establish legitimacy.
- Domain registrations linked to high-risk registrars, with hundreds of lookalike domains identified.
- Cryptocurrency payments that obscure financial trails and facilitate international money laundering.
Victims report a high emotional toll, often describing behaviors akin to gambling addiction. In some cases, task scams are linked to larger criminal operations that include forced scam labor and human trafficking in
Using Trend Micro ScamCheck with Scam Radar can help users recognize early on when they are being targeted by a scammer. An industry first, Scam Radar offers real-time protection by identifying scam tactics utilized by cybercriminals as they happen, alerting users and empowering them to take action before any harm is done.
The latest version of Trend Micro ScamCheck is available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.
About Trend Micro
Trend Micro, a global cybersecurity leader, helps make the world safe for exchanging digital information. Fueled by decades of security expertise, global threat research, and continuous innovation, Trend Micro's AI-powered cybersecurity platform protects hundreds of thousands of organizations and millions of individuals across clouds, networks, devices, and endpoints. As a leader in cloud and enterprise cybersecurity, Trend's platform delivers a powerful range of advanced threat defense techniques optimized for environments like AWS, Microsoft, and Google, central visibility for better, faster detection and response. With 7,000 employees across 70 countries, Trend Micro enables organizations to simplify and secure their connected world. www.TrendMicro.com.
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SOURCE Trend Micro Incorporated
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