A new WhatsApp scam emerged today, Wednesday, 12 February 2024, targeting another legitimate Cape Town-based company—Bermont Digital.
This follows the same fraudulent modus operandi previously seen in scams impersonating Solucru Digital Marketing and R17 Ventures, both of which were similarly exploited by scammers to deceive unsuspecting job seekers.
These types of scams have become alarmingly frequent, with fraudsters leveraging the reputation of well-established businesses to lend credibility to their deception.
The Bermont Digital case is yet another example of a scam targeting the digital services sector, a pattern that suggests scammers are deliberately choosing businesses that operate in online spaces, where remote work is common.
By using WhatsApp as their communication platform, the fraudsters also avoid scrutiny from traditional job boards, making it easier to manipulate unsuspecting job seekers.
A Familiar Scam Tactic
As with previous cases, the scammers are falsely using the name of a real company—Bermont Digital, a legitimate South African business registered with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) since 2017.
While Bermont Digital has no involvement in recruitment scams, its name is being misused in a way that can damage its reputation and create confusion among job seekers.
According to Bermont Digital’s official website (bermont.digital), it is a web development and eCommerce solutions agency that provides software solutions and services globally.
Unlike what the scammers claim, Bermont Digital’s focus is on building digital solutions, not casual job recruitment via WhatsApp.
This distinction is crucial, as scammers often take advantage of companies in the technology sector, where remote jobs and flexible work arrangements are common, making their fraudulent offers appear more believable.
The fraudulent messages being sent under Bermont Digital’s name are similar to previous scams seen with Solucru Digital Marketing and R17 Ventures, where the scammers recycle their tactics, adjusting only the business name.
This suggests that the same group of fraudsters may be behind multiple schemes, continuously shifting their focus to avoid exposure and consequences.
How the Scam Works
Although the full details of this latest scam are still unfolding, it follows a well-documented pattern of fraudulent job recruitment scams that prey on job seekers who are eager for flexible work-from-home opportunities. Here’s how the scam typically operates:
- Initial Contact via WhatsApp
- Scammers reach out unsolicited, using WhatsApp to send messages under the guise of Bermont Digital.
- They may claim to have found the recipient’s details from a recruitment database or through an online job application, though no such records exist.
- The Fake Job Offer
- The scammers claim to offer a part-time or remote job, usually involving minimal effort but with high earnings—a red flag for job scams.
- The job description is vague or too good to be true, promising easy tasks like liking online content, data entry, or digital promotions with significant financial rewards.
- Pressure to Provide Personal Information
- The scammers push the victim to act quickly, often stating that limited positions are available, creating a false sense of urgency.
- They may request sensitive details such as banking information, ID numbers, or proof of residence, which can later be used for identity theft.
- The Money Trap
- In some cases, victims are asked to pay an upfront “registration fee” to unlock job benefits or access an exclusive training programme.
- Once a payment is made, the scammers either vanish completely or continue pressuring the victim for more money.
This playbook has been used repeatedly, and unfortunately, unsuspecting job seekers often fall victim, believing they are engaging with a legitimate company.
The Bigger Picture: A Recurring Issue
This type of company impersonation scam is becoming increasingly common, particularly in South Africa’s technology and digital services sector, where remote work opportunities are highly sought after.
Fraudsters intentionally target businesses in this industry, knowing that job seekers are already familiar with virtual work arrangements, making their deception more convincing.
The Solucru Digital Marketing scam and the R17 Ventures scam followed the exact same scam blueprint—fraudsters used real company names to falsely recruit job seekers, creating confusion and damaging the credibility of legitimate businesses.
Bermont Digital is now the latest victim, showing that this type of fraud is an ongoing and evolving issue.
These scams not only deceive individuals but also cause reputational harm to businesses, forcing them to issue warnings and clear their name from association with fraudulent activities.
In some cases, legitimate companies have had to increase security measures, monitor social media platforms, and even issue legal notices to prevent further exploitation of their brand.
This situation also highlights the growing vulnerability of South African job seekers who are navigating an increasingly digital job market.
The more these scams proliferate, the harder it becomes for individuals to differentiate between legitimate remote work and fraudulent schemes.
How to Protect Yourself
To avoid falling victim to scams like this, job seekers should take the following precautions:
- Verify company job postings: Always check the official website or LinkedIn page of a company before engaging with any job offer.
- Look for warning signs: Scammers often use poor grammar, generic greetings, and vague job descriptions that do not align with real employment opportunities.
- Never pay for job opportunities: Legitimate employers do not ask for registration fees, training fees, or any other payments in exchange for job placements.
- Be cautious of unsolicited job offers: If you did not apply for a position, be sceptical of messages claiming you were “selected” for a role you never pursued.
- Contact the company directly: If you receive a suspicious job offer, verify it by reaching out through the official contact details found on the company’s website.
Remaining vigilant and double-checking all job offers can help prevent falling victim to these schemes.
The Final Verdict
The Bermont Digital WhatsApp scam follows the same deceptive blueprint seen in previous impersonation scams, where fraudsters exploit a real company’s name to gain victims’ trust before attempting fraud.
This is not an isolated case but part of a larger, organised effort to deceive job seekers and extract personal information or money.
If you receive a suspicious job offer claiming to be from Bermont Digital, do not engage—verify it directly with the company and report the scam to local authorities.
For those who come across similar scams, raising awareness is crucial in stopping fraudsters in their tracks. By sharing information and staying informed, we can reduce the number of victims falling prey to these deceptive tactics.
The post Bermont Digital Targeted in Latest WhatsApp Scam appeared first on Political Analysis South Africa.
