WASHINGTON, D.C. — A new wave of online scams is tricking people into thinking they’ve found easy money, only to leave them with empty wallets, the Federal Trade Commission said this week.

According to the FTC, scammers send messages promising quick cash for simple online work such as “optimization” or “product boosting.”

At first, the apps or platforms show what looks like real earnings. Some people receive small payments, usually around $5 to $20, to build trust, the FTC said.

But as the tasks progress, scammers demand deposits, often in cryptocurrency, to unlock supposed larger payouts. The displayed earnings are actually fake, and once people hand over their own money, it’s gone, the FTC warned.

The commission also warned that legitimate employers do not recruit through random texts or require payment to get paid. The agency said to ignore generic job offers sent through messaging apps, avoid anyone who asks for money up front and steer clear of offers to get paid for “likes” or positive reviews online.

Consumers can report the fraud on the FTC’s website.

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