A major job scam posing as OpenAI has deceived international workers, primarily in Bangladesh, through Telegram-based recruitment.
🚨 The Rise of a Sophisticated Job Scam
For months, hopeful workers in Bangladesh believed they had secured stable online jobs with OpenAI. They were recruited via Telegram, encouraged to invest cryptocurrency, and assigned simple digital tasks through a website called “OpenAi-etc.”
The process seemed legitimate. Workers were instructed to invest crypto, complete assignments, and were promised daily profits based on their investments. Additionally, they were urged to recruit others, creating a multi-tiered team of “brokers.”
💰 The Illusion of Stability Before the Collapse
The scheme gained credibility when company representatives allegedly assisted victims of a cyclone in Bangladesh. This act of “generosity” further secured the trust of workers. By the time the scam peaked, a single team had accumulated around $50,000 in investments.
However, on August 29, 2024, everything collapsed. The website disappeared. Telegram accounts associated with the “company” vanished. Workers lost all their investment funds overnight.
⚠️ A Widespread Scam Affecting Thousands
According to complaints filed with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), at least 6,000 individuals in Bangladesh fell victim to this scheme. Many had been engaged with the fraudulent company for months, believing they were working for a reputable AI firm.
One complainant, a schoolteacher, detailed how they had reinvested their entire earnings into the platform just before it disappeared. “I didn’t withdraw any money but lost both capital and profit. Now, I am in a great economic crisis,” they wrote.
🔍 Investigation and Regulatory Response
The fraudulent entity, OpenAi-etc, appeared to have an American registration number and even listed an office in Denver, Colorado. It also had a money service business registration with the U.S. Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, falsely adding to its credibility.
A domain analysis of OpenAi-etc’s now-defunct website indicates that it was hosted by a China-based service provider. Despite multiple complaints, the FTC has yet to confirm whether an official investigation is underway.
📢 The Role of Social Engineering in Job Scams
Experts warn that such scams manipulate people’s ambition and trust in well-known brands. Cybersecurity researchers compare this tactic to other AI-driven fraud schemes, where scammers build trust over time before executing a large-scale financial theft.
Scammers often use social engineering techniques to mimic authority figures, creating a sense of urgency and legitimacy. Victims in high-power distance cultures, where hierarchy is deeply respected, are particularly vulnerable.
🚀 Protecting Yourself from Future Scams
To avoid falling victim to similar scams:
- ✅ Always verify job offers directly through official company websites.
- ✅ Be cautious of any job requiring upfront financial investments.
- ✅ Check for company legitimacy via official government databases.
- ✅ Avoid schemes that pressure you to recruit others.
As AI and online job opportunities continue to grow, so too do the risks. Stay vigilant and always verify before investing your time and money.
