Cybercrime Southeast Europe Newsletter No. 81
New Wave of Online Scams: “Pay‑Per‑Like” and Similar Schemes
Dear Clients,
Recently, we have been observing a growing number of new types of online scams, particularly through social media and online platforms, targeting individuals with promises of easy and quick earnings. One notable model is the so-called “Pay‑Per‑Like” and similar scams, where fraudsters use attractive offers to build trust and lure users into fake “investment” schemes.
How the “Pay‑Per‑Like” scam works:
- Fraudsters promise supposed earnings for simple actions, such as liking videos, sharing posts, or participating in “online challenges.”
- Initially, victims may receive small payouts, creating a false sense of security and motivating them to invest larger amounts.
- Gradually, they request bigger payments or access to personal financial information. Once the fraudsters achieve their goal, victims lose the money they invested, and often additional personal information that can be misused in other scams.
Why this is particularly dangerous:
- Fraudsters employ sophisticated social engineering techniques and fake profiles to appear legitimate.
- These scams often resemble legal online jobs or investment projects, making them difficult to identify before the damage is done.
- The goal is not only financial gain but also collecting personal data that can be exploited in other frauds.
How to protect yourself:
- Be skeptical of offers that seem “too good to be true” – any project promising fast and guaranteed profits deserves double verification.
- Do not send money or personal information before verifying the person’s identity and the legitimacy of the project.
- Keep all communications and documentation – recordings of conversations, emails, messages, and screenshots. This can be crucial if the scam needs to be reported to authorities.
- Consult experts – a lawyer or authorized financial consultant can help verify the project and assess the risk.
- Be cautious with links and attachments – do not open suspicious links or files from unknown profiles.
Conclusion:
These scams rely on emotional reactions and the lure of quick profit. Calmness, fact-checking, and consultation with legal or financial professionals are your best protection. Every piece of documentation you save now could be crucial in eventual investigations or fund recovery.
Your vigilance and caution are key to avoiding becoming a victim of sophisticated online scams.
Kind regards,
Attorney Zoran Miljaković