Online Earning Scams in Pakistan and How to Spot Them

Online earning scams cost Pakistanis large amounts of money every year. Most follow the same patterns. Knowing them is the best protection.

Common scams

• Investment apps promising daily profit: "Deposit Rs. 5,000 and earn Rs. 500 daily."
• Task scams: small payments at first, then you are asked to deposit money for "bigger tasks".
• Fake jobs with fees: registration, training or equipment fees before work.
• Pyramid schemes: income depends on recruiting others who pay to join.
• Prize and lottery calls: asking for fees or your OTP to "release" a prize.
• Fake payment screenshots sent to online sellers.

How task scams work

Scammers contact you on WhatsApp or Telegram with easy tasks like liking videos. They pay small amounts to build trust, then ask you to deposit money to unlock higher-paying tasks. Once you deposit, the money is gone.

Simple protection rules

• Never pay to receive a job or your own earnings.
• Never share OTPs, PINs or passwords.
• Be suspicious of guaranteed high returns.
• Verify companies, addresses and real reviews.
• Do not let strangers use your bank or wallet account.

If you are scammed

Stop sending money, save all evidence, report to your bank or wallet provider immediately and file a complaint with the FIA's cybercrime wing through its official channels.

Protect others

Warn friends and family about scams you see. Many people join because someone they trust invited them.

If you already shared your details

Scams often use guaranteed-income claims, fake payment screenshots, urgent recruitment messages or fees to unlock a job or withdrawal. Some disguise deposits as training charges. If you have already shared passwords or codes, change your passwords immediately, turn on two-step verification and contact your bank or wallet provider. Report suspicious activity to the platform and the relevant authority.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I report an online scam in Pakistan?

Report to your bank or wallet provider immediately and file a complaint with the FIA's cybercrime wing through its official channels.

How do task scams usually start?

With a message offering easy tasks like liking videos, small first payments, and then requests to deposit money for bigger tasks.