Task Scams in Chile
Fake micro-task job schemes recruit Chileans via WhatsApp with promises of easy income for simple online tasks, then trap them in a deposit loop.
Part of: Task Scams
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Task scams — sometimes called 'app optimisation' or 'product review' jobs — have proliferated in Chile since 2022. Victims are approached via WhatsApp or Telegram with offers to earn CLP 5,000–20,000 per simple task such as liking YouTube videos, rating apps, or clicking product listings.
Initial small payouts are genuine, creating trust. Victims are then invited to a 'premium tier' requiring them to deposit their own funds to 'unlock' higher-paying tasks. Once deposited, the funds are inaccessible and the recruiter vanishes.
How this scam works on Chile
Recruitment starts with an unsolicited WhatsApp message from a local-looking number (often spoofed), describing a legitimate-sounding part-time role with a named company. Tasks are completed through a custom app or Telegram bot. Early withdrawals of CLP 3,000–8,000 are processed quickly to build confidence.
When the victim is invited to a 'combo task' worth significantly more, they must first deposit CLP 30,000–500,000 as a 'task bond.' The dashboard shows this bond plus profits, but withdrawals are blocked until further deposits are made. The cycle repeats until the victim is unable to continue.
Task scam networks in Chile often use local payment processors: Khipu, Webpay, or direct transfers to Chilean bank accounts, making them appear domestic and trustworthy. Some operations hire Chilean residents as unwitting money mules.
Common red flags
- Unsolicited job offer via WhatsApp from an unknown number
- Job requires no qualifications and promises unusually high pay for trivial tasks
- Initial payouts are smooth, then a 'deposit' is required to continue
- App is not available on official app stores — must be sideloaded
- Withdrawal requires a 'recharge' of account balance to a round number
- Group chat of 'colleagues' is staged to show constant successful withdrawals
How to protect yourself
- Treat any unsolicited WhatsApp job offer with extreme scepticism
- Legitimate employers never ask you to deposit your own funds to receive pay
- Research the company name in Chile's SII business registry at sii.cl
- Never install APK or IPA files from links sent by strangers
- If you have already deposited, stop immediately — further deposits will not unlock funds
- Warn friends and family using the same social circles about the specific account
How to report it
- Report to the PDI BRICIB cybercrime unit at pdichile.cl with all chat logs
- File a complaint with SERNAC if the scheme was presented as a consumer service
- Report the WhatsApp number at whatsapp.com/contact to help disable the account
Frequently asked questions
Are task scams ever legitimate?
Genuine micro-task platforms exist (e.g. Amazon Mechanical Turk), but they never require upfront deposits and are accessed via official websites, not WhatsApp cold messages. Any scheme asking for a deposit before you can withdraw earnings is fraudulent.