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Telegram task scams and part-time like-and-subscribe jobs: how they work and the signs

Written by KarirAman editorial team Approved by Kaiser Khan (editor), Updated

A part-time job paying you to like videos or write reviews, then asking for deposits to unlock missions, is a scam, warns OJK's Satgas PASTI. The pattern.

High severity Usually arrives via: WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram, TikTok, SMS

Summary

  • OJK's illegal-finance task force (Satgas PASTI) warns about part-time jobs that ask victims to like and subscribe, then make deposits.
  • A small payment for the first task is used to build trust before the victim is asked for a deposit.
  • OJK's booklet cites part-time jobs promising big commissions after a deposit as an example of fraud.
  • OJK recommends the 2L test before accepting any offer: Legal and Logical (Logis).
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On this page
  1. How does the part-time 'like and subscribe' task scams scam work?
  2. What are the warning signs of the part-time 'like and subscribe' task scams scam?
  3. How is the part-time 'like and subscribe' task scams scam different from a real vacancy?
  4. I have already been caught. What should I do now?
  5. What is a like-and-subscribe or Telegram task scam?
  6. Are paid TikTok likes or online buzzer jobs a scam?
  7. Which task variants do scammers use?
  8. What does a task-scam message look like?
  9. Why does the first task really pay?
  10. How is this different from legitimate online work?

How does the part-time 'like and subscribe' task scams scam work?

The part-time 'like and subscribe' task scams scam usually runs in 5 steps. Any step that asks for money, personal data or a move to a chat app is the point to stop.

  1. Step 1 of 5: You are offered side work from your phone, such as liking, following or subscribing to content, paid per task.
  2. Step 2 of 5: The first task pays a small amount so you believe the work is real.
  3. Step 3 of 5: You are invited into a chat group and given further 'missions'.
  4. Step 4 of 5: To unlock missions you must deposit money, with a promise that the deposit comes back plus a reward.
  5. Step 5 of 5: Deposits keep being requested for one reason or another until the scammer disappears with your money.

What are the warning signs of the part-time 'like and subscribe' task scams scam?

The part-time 'like and subscribe' task scams scam has the 7 main warning signs below, each with its source. One sign is enough reason to stop and check again before you pay or send any data.

  • The work is liking, subscribing to or following social media content, paid per task.
  • After the first paid task, you are invited into a chat group for further missions.
  • You are asked to deposit money or top up a balance to unlock the next mission.
  • You are promised your deposit back plus a reward once the mission is done.Otoritas Jasa Keuangan (Satgas PASTI)
  • A big commission is promised after you deposit money.Otoritas Jasa Keuangan (Sekretariat Satgas PASTI)
  • The work is called app testing, app optimisation or product boosting, then you are asked to deposit money to finish the next set of tasks.Federal Trade Commission (Amerika Serikat)
  • Daily income is promised for watching videos or adverts, guessing pictures, or recruiting new members for tiered bonuses.Satgas PASTI (Otoritas Jasa Keuangan)

How is the part-time 'like and subscribe' task scams scam different from a real vacancy?

The table compares each step of the part-time 'like and subscribe' task scams scam with how legitimate employers recruit, row by row.

Scam tactics compared with legitimate recruitment practice
Scam tacticLegitimate practice
Workers must deposit money to be allowed to work.The employer pays the worker; nobody pays to unlock work.
Big, fast earnings for very easy tasks.Pay matches the workload and is stated in a written agreement.
Your balance can be withdrawn only after another deposit.Wages are paid into your account with no deposit condition.

I have already been caught. What should I do now?

If you have followed the part-time 'like and subscribe' task scams scam, stop all contact, send no more money or data, keep every piece of evidence, then report to the official channels below.

  1. Stop, and do not add any deposit, including to 'release' a stuck balance.
  2. Keep screenshots of the group, the missions and every transfer receipt with the receiving account number.
  3. Call your bank on its official number and report to IASC at iasc.ojk.go.id; file separate reports if you used more than one account.
  4. Make a police report at the SPKT desk of the nearest police station.

Where should I report?

Check a similar message with the job checker

What is a like-and-subscribe or Telegram task scam?

A like-and-subscribe scam is a part-time job offer that pays you for small tasks, such as liking YouTube or TikTok videos, then asks for a deposit so you can unlock the next mission. OJK's Satgas PASTI describes the pattern: the first task pays, the victim is invited into a Telegram or other chat group, then asked to deposit money with a promise of getting it back plus a reward, until the scammer disappears. That is why it is also called the Telegram task scam.

Are paid TikTok likes or online buzzer jobs a scam?

Offers that pay per like, comment or follow on TikTok or other social media, including those called online buzzer work, follow the same pattern if they later ask for a deposit, a balance top-up or recruiting new members. Satgas PASTI stopped a number of entities running such schemes from 2024 to 2026. Legitimate paid promotion work never asks you to deposit money in order to work or to withdraw your pay.

Which task variants do scammers use?

Besides likes and subscriptions, the tasks may be called app testing or optimisation and product boosting, rating, watching dramas or adverts, guessing pictures, or crypto copy-trading. The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) describes the same task pattern: small early payouts, then a deposit to complete the next set of tasks. In May 2026 Satgas PASTI stopped entities whose tasks were watching dramas, guessing pictures and watching adverts, with mandatory deposits and member recruitment.

What does a task-scam message look like?

The example below is an illustration written by the KarirAman editors from the pattern described by OJK's Satgas PASTI. It is not a copy of a real message. Links and numbers are hidden.

Side job from your phone, just like and subscribe, commission per task paid instantly. Join the group [link removed] for daily missions. The next mission needs a balance top-up first, returned with a bonus. Admin: 08xx-xxxx-xxxx.

Phrases such as like and subscribe, commission per task, daily missions and top-up are patterns the job checker recognises.

Why does the first task really pay?

Satgas PASTI explains that after the first mission the victim really does receive income and is then invited into a chat group. That small payment builds trust, so the victim agrees to deposit money for the next mission. On later missions more deposits are requested, and after a while the scammer disappears.

How is this different from legitimate online work?

Legitimate online work never asks you to deposit money in order to work or to withdraw your pay. OJK recommends the 2L test: Legal, meaning whoever makes the offer is properly licensed by the supervising authority, and Logical, meaning the promised reward makes sense. If in doubt, ask OJK's contact centre 157 before sending money.

Which careers are used as bait for the part-time 'like and subscribe' task scams scam?

Vacancies for these careers are often used as bait for the part-time 'like and subscribe' task scams scam, highest scam risk first.

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Frequently asked questions

Why was I really paid for the first task?

According to OJK's Satgas PASTI, the first payment is part of the scam. After the victim receives a first income, they are invited into a chat group and asked to deposit money for the next missions, with the promise of getting the deposit back plus a reward. Deposits keep being requested until the scammer disappears.

Is all online work from home a scam?

No. The warning sign is being asked to deposit money in order to work or to withdraw earnings. OJK recommends the 2L test: make sure whoever makes the offer holds the right licence (Legal) and that the reward makes sense (Logical).

My balance is stuck. Can I withdraw it if I deposit again?

Do not add another deposit. The pattern Satgas PASTI describes is deposits that keep growing until the scammer disappears. Keep your transfer receipts and report to IASC and the police straight away.

Is online work with no deposit always safe?

Not necessarily. In the pattern Satgas PASTI describes, the first task really has no deposit and pays, and the deposit request only comes after you join the group. Stay alert if the work is liking, rating or watching videos paid per task, and never share OTP codes or bank details. The full guide is on the safe online work page.

What about part-time work in the name of a well-known company or marketplace?

OJK's Satgas PASTI has recorded part-time offers that use the names of well-known advertising and marketing firms, with rating tasks, deposits and recruitment of new members. Any big name can be misused the same way, so check the vacancy on the company's official channels and never deposit money.

Who wrote and reviewed this page?

Written by KarirAman editorial team Published Updated

Prepared with AI assistance. Checked against official sources and approved for publication by Kaiser Khan (editor). Approval date: .

Sources

The facts on this page come from these sources. Dates show when we opened them.

  1. Satgas PASTI Blokir 311 Pinjol Ilegal dan Pinpri (bagian 'Waspada Modus Penipuan') Otoritas Jasa Keuangan (Satgas PASTI) · accessed
  2. Waspada, Penipuan (Scam) Mengintai Kita. Ayo Lawan dan Hindari! (Booklet Satgas PASTI) Otoritas Jasa Keuangan (Sekretariat Satgas PASTI) · accessed
  3. Indonesia Anti-Scam Centre (IASC): Tentang, Langkah Pelaporan dan FAQ Otoritas Jasa Keuangan (IASC) · accessed
  4. Sentra Pelayanan Kepolisian Terpadu (SPKT) Kepolisian Negara Republik Indonesia · accessed
  5. Paying to get paid: gamified job scams drive record losses (FTC Data Spotlight) Federal Trade Commission (Amerika Serikat) · accessed
  6. Siaran Pers SP 5/STPASTI/VII/2025: Satgas PASTI Hentikan Kegiatan Usaha Omnicom Group (OMC) Palsu Otoritas Jasa Keuangan (Satgas PASTI) · accessed
  7. Siaran Pers SP 02/STPASTI/II/2024: Satgas PASTI Hentikan Kegiatan Usaha Bartle Bogle Hegarty (BBH) Indonesia dan Smart Wallet Otoritas Jasa Keuangan (Satgas PASTI) · accessed
  8. Siaran Pers SP 05/STPASTI/V/2026: Satgas PASTI Hentikan Kegiatan Penipuan CANTVR dan YUDIA Satgas PASTI (Otoritas Jasa Keuangan) · accessed
  9. Siaran Pers SP 06/STPASTI/V/2026: Satgas PASTI Hentikan Kegiatan Penipuan Appeninc, VID, dan Sensenowai Satgas PASTI (Otoritas Jasa Keuangan) · accessed
How to cite

KarirAman (2026). Telegram task scams and part-time like-and-subscribe jobs: how they work and the signs. Updated 8 October 2026. https://kariraman.com/en/job-scams/task-scams-likes-and-reviews/

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Change log
  • : Added Telegram tasks, TikTok likes, online buzzer jobs, task variants such as app testing and watching videos, no-deposit work and impersonated company names.