Task Scams in the United Kingdom
How online task fraud targets UK workers through WhatsApp job offers and Telegram groups — with Action Fraud and the 159 hotline as reporting routes, and the UK-specific payment patterns.
Part of: Task Scams
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Task scams — fraudulent online job offers that pay small amounts for initial work before demanding 'upgrade deposits' — are reported to Action Fraud by UK victims in increasing numbers. The scams are tailored to the UK gig economy context: they reference familiar platforms, use British English, and often arrive on WhatsApp with a UK mobile number prefix to appear domestic. The payment methods used in UK task scams reflect both the UK's strong bank-transfer infrastructure and the rise of crypto ATM availability.
This guide covers how task scams are presented to UK targets, the payment mechanics specific to the UK context, and the correct reporting routes — including Action Fraud, the 159 hotline, and the Financial Conduct Authority where investment-linked variants appear.
How this scam works on the United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom, task scam contact most commonly arrives via WhatsApp or Telegram from an unknown number with a UK area code. The offer describes simple remote work — reviewing apps, boosting social media metrics, completing product evaluations — and quotes an hourly or daily rate in sterling. The message tone is professional and the brand name used (if any) is a real UK company.
After initial contact, the victim is added to a WhatsApp or Telegram group styled as a professional work environment, with admins assigning tasks and other apparent workers posting earnings screenshots. Early task payments may arrive via bank transfer or Monzo, building confidence in the system.
A 'special mission' then requires the victim to deposit funds — framed as a performance bond, a task bundle purchase, or an account upgrade. UK-specific payment requests include Faster Payments to a personal sort code and account number, or in some cases, a visit to a Bitcoin ATM (UK has a significant number of crypto ATMs, concentrated in convenience stores).
Action Fraud is the UK's national fraud and cybercrime reporting centre. The 159 hotline — primarily associated with bank impersonation scams — is also relevant if a victim has been instructed to make a bank transfer by a fake employer and wants to verify whether the transfer is safe before proceeding.
Common red flags
- An unsolicited WhatsApp message from a UK number offering part-time online work
- A job group where all members appear to post identical earnings messages at regular intervals
- Initial small bank transfer 'commissions' that stop when a deposit is requested
- Request for a Faster Payments bank transfer to a personal account as a 'performance bond'
- A job offer that redirects to a Bitcoin ATM for deposit collection
- Employer who cannot be verified through Companies House at companieshouse.gov.uk or any official UK business register
How to protect yourself
- Verify any UK company offering online work at companieshouse.gov.uk — registered UK companies have public records
- No legitimate UK employer requires a deposit before work begins — this reversal is the definitive task scam signal
- If you are unsure whether a bank transfer instruction from an online employer is genuine, call 159 to reach your bank's fraud team before proceeding
- Report suspicious WhatsApp or Telegram groups using the platform's in-app report function before leaving
- Citizens Advice provides free guidance on suspicious job offers at citizensadvice.org.uk
How to report it
- Report to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040 — this is the UK's national fraud reporting centre
- Call 159 if you are about to make a bank transfer at an employer's instruction and are unsure whether it is genuine
- Report to the FCA at fca.org.uk/consumers/report-scam if the 'task job' involved any investment or financial product
- If a Faster Payments transfer was made, contact your bank immediately and ask about APP fraud reimbursement
Frequently asked questions
What is Action Fraud and what can it do about a task scam?
Action Fraud is the UK's national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime, run by the City of London Police. Filing a report provides you with a crime reference number, which is useful for insurance and bank APP fraud claims. Action Fraud shares intelligence with law enforcement — while individual case investigation is not guaranteed, reports contribute to identifying and pursuing repeat fraudsters.
Can I get my money back under UK APP fraud rules if I was deceived into a task scam bank transfer?
If you were deceived into authorising a bank transfer to a fraudster, UK Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) mandatory rules from October 2024 require banks to reimburse most APP fraud victims up to £85,000. Contact your bank, explain you were deceived into authorising the payment by a fraudulent employer, and raise an APP fraud reimbursement claim. If your bank declines, escalate to the Financial Ombudsman Service.