Cryptocurrency Crime: How OpenAI Job Scams Are Targeting Workers via Telegram
Cryptocurrency Crime and the OpenAI Scam
A Bangladeshi worker was eager to get started at their new OpenAI job—completing basic online tasks in exchange for consistent income, while getting into cryptocurrency investing at the same time. After connecting with the startup on Telegram and creating an account through a ChatGPT-branded app, they invested crypto into the platform and began a months-long job working for Aiden from OpenAI.
How the Scam Unfolded
The work was performed through the website OpenAi-etc, and internal conversations were held on Telegram. It was simple: Invest some crypto, complete a few tasks, and earn daily profits based on what was invested.
- Mentors encouraged investment, recruiting others
- Victims lost around $50,000 in total investments
- A mass disappearance of the platform left workers in despair
After a devastating cyclone struck Bangladesh, the company allegedly assisted victims, which further increased trust in the ruse.
The Aftermath and the Growing Threat of Scams
On August 29, 2024, workers awoke to find the website and their money had vanished. The job was never affiliated with OpenAI. Complaints submitted to the US Federal Trade Commission outlined a scam that misused OpenAI’s reputation to exploit vulnerable workers.
- Over 6,000 individuals in Bangladesh faced financial ruin
- Concerns over lack of regulatory oversight and support for victims
- The FTC has received numerous complaints, but investigations remain nonpublic
As cryptocurrency scams continue to rise, this case serves as a warning for job seekers to remain vigilant and skeptical of offers that seem too good to be true.
This article was prepared using information from open sources in accordance with the principles of Ethical Policy. The editorial team is not responsible for absolute accuracy, as it relies on data from the sources referenced.