Police issue warning to under-18s over social media 'jobs' scam in West Yorkshire
It follows reports from teenagers who have been conned out of hundreds of pounds
Last updated 9th Feb 2026
Police are warning people to be on their guard over a social media scam targeting under-18s in West Yorkshire.
It follows reports from teenagers who have been conned out of hundreds of pounds or tricked into ‘money muling’ - laundering criminal funds through their own bank accounts – on the promise of easy money.
The scammers place ‘job adverts’ on social media, generally on TikTok, to make initial contact with victims before they are invited into a Whatsapp chat,
They provide their bank details and are paid a small amount, normally £5, for liking an online video before the conversation moves to messaging service Telegram.
They are then given ‘jobs’ as either traders or cashiers.
Traders are asked to complete several tasks earning £2-3 each time and their earnings appear to be accumulated in an investment or cryptocurrency account.
In order the receive the funds they must pay a release fee of between £80 and £300 to account details provided by the fraudsters. Some victims have made two or three payments before they realise they have been tricked and will never see any money.
Detective Inspector Chris Lord, of the West Yorkshire Police Economic Crime Unit, said: “As always, if an offer sounds too good to be true then it’s usually a scam.
"Online fraudsters have continued to become increasingly sophisticated in the ways that they target victims, particularly under-18s, to gain their trust and trick them into parting with their money or allowing their bank accounts to be used to launder criminal funds.
“Under-18s can spend a lot of their time on social media where they can be impressed by stories of influencers and others making money online. These scams lure them in on the promise of easy money but prey on them and leave them significantly out of pocket or at risk of further consequences.
“We urge under-18s and their parents or carers to be alive to the risks of such scams and to steer well clear and avoid being taken in.”