The wave of WhatsApp recruitment scams sweeping across South Africa continues, this time under the name TrendBoost Digital Company.
Like the fraudulent schemes that have come before it, this scam follows the same deceptive script, luring unsuspecting victims with fake job offers and escalating into a manipulative investment scheme.
While the initial messages may appear legitimate, a closer look at TrendBoost Digital reveals a familiar pattern of red flags, contradictions, and outright fabrications.
The WhatsApp Recruitment Hook
As with previous scams, victims receive unsolicited messages on WhatsApp from a so-called recruiter or HR representative. The message, which has since been deleted in this particular case, follows the same formula seen in similar scams:
- A vague work-from-home job offer with no application process.
- An introduction to a “reputable company” engaged in digital marketing, product boosting, or app optimisation.
- A promise of quick and easy earnings through daily tasks, with payments made instantly to gain trust.
- A shift towards investment opportunities, where victims are encouraged to deposit money to “unlock higher commissions”.
At this point, it’s no longer just a fake job scam—it becomes a financial scam, preying on desperation and the lure of easy money.
TrendBoost Digital Company: A Non-Existent Entity
A search on the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) database confirms that TrendBoost Digital is not a registered South African company.
This means it has no legal standing to operate within South Africa, making any claims of being a legitimate employer completely false.
Furthermore, the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) database shows no registration for TrendBoost Digital Company as a Financial Services Provider (FSP).
This is particularly significant because the scam eventually pitches deposits and investments, an activity that requires FSCA accreditation in South Africa.
Without proper registration, TrendBoost Digital has no legal right to accept, manage, or offer any kind of financial returns on investments—meaning any funds sent to them will likely never be seen again.
Red Flags and Common Scam Indicators
For those familiar with WhatsApp recruitment scams, TrendBoost Digital Company ticks all the usual warning signs:
- Unsolicited Job Offers – Legitimate companies do not randomly message individuals on WhatsApp without an application process.
- Fake Digital Marketing Role – The supposed job usually involves clicking links, writing fake reviews, or boosting engagement on apps—none of which are real employment opportunities.
- Initial Payments to Gain Trust – Victims may receive small payments upfront, creating the illusion of legitimacy before being lured into investing their own money.
- Unregistered Company & FSP – No presence on CIPC or FSCA, meaning zero legal accountability.
- Pressure to Invest for ‘Higher Commissions’ – The real goal of these scams is to convince victims to deposit money in return for fake rewards.
When challenged about their legitimacy, these scammers typically deflect, evade, or disappear altogether.
The Final Verdict
TrendBoost Digital Company is yet another WhatsApp scam following the well-worn path of fraudulent online job offers.
With no registration in South Africa, no FSCA accreditation, and the usual bait-and-switch tactics, it is clear that this operation is designed to steal money, not provide employment.
South Africans should remain extremely cautious when receiving unsolicited job offers on WhatsApp. If a company is not registered on CIPC, not accredited by FSCA, and demands upfront deposits, it is almost certainly a scam.
As always, do not engage, do not send money, and report these messages to WhatsApp and the relevant authorities.
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