Fake App Store Review Request DM Scam Examples
A direct message offers pay for writing app store reviews, then funnels you onto a 'task platform' showing your earnings climb with every review — money you can never withdraw. The scammer's real goal is a cryptocurrency deposit, framed as an 'activation' fee needed before payout. The lever is the sunk-cost pull of watching a growing balance you don't want to abandon. There is no job and no real balance; it's a number the scammer controls. Never send money or crypto to unlock earnings you've already 'made' — legitimate work pays you, it never charges you first.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Sanitized example messages
Illustrative, sanitized examples. Personal details are replaced with placeholders such as [phone number] and [fake link].
Hi! I work for a digital marketing agency. We pay [amount] per review for app ratings on the App Store and Google Play. Interested? I can add you to our team today.
We're looking for part-time app reviewers. Earn [amount] per task — takes only 5 minutes. Click to join our reviewer group: [link]
Hello, our company needs genuine app reviews. You'll complete simple tasks and earn commissions. First task pays [amount]. Join our platform: [link]
What the scammer wants
To sign you up to a fake task platform that shows accumulating earnings but requires a cryptocurrency deposit to 'activate' withdrawal, resulting in total loss.
Red flags in the message
- Unsolicited DM offering payment for app reviews
- Earning balance visible in an app but requiring a deposit to withdraw
- Escalating deposit requirements each time you try to cash out
- Platform only reachable via a link in the DM, not an official store listing
- Recruiter profile created recently with few followers
A safe response
Ignore and delete the message. Legitimate app review work does not pay via private DM offers, and no genuine employer requires a deposit to release your earnings.
What not to send
- Cryptocurrency
- Bank details or card numbers
- Personal identification documents
What to do if you already replied
- Stop making any further deposits immediately
- Report the account to the platform where you were contacted
- Report to Action Fraud and your bank if any money was transferred
Evidence to preserve
- Screenshot the full message or call details
- Note the sender number, email, or profile
- Save any links (without clicking) and payment details
- Record dates and times
Frequently asked questions
The dashboard shows I've 'earned' a large amount — can I still get any of it out?
No — that balance is a fabricated number, not real money held anywhere, and no further deposit will unlock it. Any 'unlock,' 'tax,' or 'verification' fee they ask for afterward simply extracts more money before they disappear. Stop depositing funds and walk away from the platform.
I already sent some cryptocurrency — can I get it back?
Cryptocurrency transactions are generally irreversible, so recovery is unlikely, though you can report the wallet address to the exchange you sent from and to any crypto-tracing service your country offers. Contact your bank if you funded the crypto purchase with a card, as they may be able to help depending on how the purchase was made.
Is it safe to keep messaging them to ask for a refund?
It's generally not productive — continuing to engage often leads to more pressure or a new 'fee' framed as the way to finally get paid. Stop responding, block the account, and report the profile to the platform it messaged you on.
How do I spot a real paid app-review or task gig versus this scam?
Legitimate paid task or review work never requires you to pay money upfront to access earnings you've already accrued. Be suspicious of any 'job' that contacted you first via unsolicited DM rather than a platform you applied to, and verify any company independently before sharing personal or payment details.