WhatsApp Job Scams in Italy
Unsolicited WhatsApp messages offer Italian residents paid micro-tasks and part-time remote work before steering them into crypto-deposit task-scam schemes.
Part of: WhatsApp Job Scams
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
WhatsApp job scams have surged in Italy, exploiting the app's near-universal adoption among Italian adults. The Polizia Postale receives significant volumes of complaints about unsolicited WhatsApp messages offering lucrative part-time work from home — liking videos, rating products or completing digital surveys — that transition into schemes requiring crypto deposits.
The scams specifically target parents seeking flexible supplemental income, recent graduates and workers displaced by economic downturns. Criminal groups purchase leaked Italian mobile-number databases and send mass messages, with a small percentage of recipients engaging and eventually losing substantial sums.
How this scam works on Italy
An unsolicited WhatsApp message from an international number reads: 'Ciao, sto cercando persone per lavoro flessibile da casa. Guadagni da €50 a €200 al giorno. Ti interessa?' After initial interest, the victim is added to a Telegram group appearing to be full of active workers earning income.
Small commissions are paid for early micro-tasks, building credibility. After a week, access to higher-paying tasks requires a USDT (Tether) deposit of $50–$500 to the platform wallet. Deposits accumulate on a dashboard but can never be withdrawn.
Italian victims have reported criminal groups specifically using Italian area codes on virtual SIM numbers for initial WhatsApp contact, exploiting the increased trust Italians place in familiar-looking phone numbers.
Common red flags
- Unsolicited WhatsApp message from an unknown number about remote paid work
- Initial tasks pay small amounts to establish credibility
- Telegram group with many members all posting consistent earnings
- Crypto deposit required to unlock higher-paying tasks or withdrawals
- Escalating deposit demands as withdrawal is perpetually deferred
- No verifiable Italian company registration or address
How to protect yourself
- Ignore unsolicited WhatsApp job messages — no legitimate employer recruits this way
- Report and block unknown numbers sending unsolicited work offers in WhatsApp
- Never make crypto deposits to platforms recommended by strangers
- Warn family members, especially those seeking supplemental income
- Report to the Polizia Postale and to WhatsApp support
How to report it
- Polizia Postale: commissariatodips.it — cyber-fraud complaint
- WhatsApp: report the number as spam within the app
- Guardia di Finanza: 117 — report financial fraud
Frequently asked questions
Can I block WhatsApp job scam numbers in Italy?
Yes — block and report the number within WhatsApp. You can also report it to the Polizia Postale. Never respond, as any reply confirms your number is active and may generate further contact.