Scam Secrets We've Noticed Your CV
Dec 11, 2025
Anya Burskis, Head of Fraud Operations at Nationwide, shares her expertise on recruitment scams and victimization strategies. She reveals how fake job offers prey on the vulnerable, using psychological manipulation and forged peer support. Anya highlights alarming trends in younger demographics and the dangerous convergence of job, romance, and investment scams. She stresses the importance of never paying for a job and discusses the serious consequences of becoming an unwitting money mule. Learn how to recognize the warning signs and protect yourself!
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Real Victim's Recruitment Trap
- Patrick responded to a persistent recruitment text and was drawn into 'training' that led to real-looking tasks on Telegram.
- He created an account, gave his bank details, and began completing film-review tasks that initially paid small sums.
Language Tricks Drive Compliance
- Elisabeth Carter flags escalation and minimising language as clear manipulation techniques in recruitment messages.
- Words like "just" and increasing pressure are used to normalise small commitments and get engagement.
Tonal Shifts Tailor The Hook
- Alex Wood and Elisabeth explain scammers cycle through tones — assertive, aggressive, needy — to find what hooks a target.
- Introducing personal hardship (eg. single parent) invites empathy and can trigger rescuing behaviour.