Crypto derivatives trading platform Deribit has issued a warning about a growing wave of recruitment scams targeting crypto professionals.
In a March 19 post on X, the platform’s Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), Anthony Sweeney, revealed that scammers are impersonating recruiters from Deribit and other reputable companies, offering high-paying job opportunities to lure victims. He cautioned that these tactics could soon spread beyond the crypto industry as fraudsters refine their methods.
⚠️ Scam Alert from Anthony Sweeney, CISO at Deribit
In recent weeks, we’ve noticed a surge in scammers posing as recruiters claiming to work for Deribit (and likely other well-known firms soon). The crypto industry often pioneers the latest fraud tactics, and this scam is no… pic.twitter.com/BHxGxhn2nS
— Deribit (@DeribitOfficial) March 19, 2025
According to Sweeney, scammers typically create fake LinkedIn profiles, posing as talent scouts or recruiters, and post advertisements for lucrative roles—often aimed at senior developers or staff with access to sensitive systems. Once a candidate expresses interest, the scammers employ various deceptive tactics to exploit them.
Sweeney describes three methods. The first and most common scheme involves asking victims to complete an “online assessment” that secretly installs malware on their devices. Another approach includes conducting fake online interviews and extending fraudulent job offers with exclusive perks, such as discounted company shares. Once victims make payments to secure these perks, the scammers vanish.
The third one was more elaborate and it involved arranging in-person meetings at non-existent company offices. In one case, scammers claimed to be hosting a meeting at a Deribit office in Los Angeles—an immediate red flag, as Deribit has no U.S. office. Victims were instructed to bring their work laptops, suggesting an attempt to access company systems.
To avoid falling prey to such scams, Sweeney advises job seekers to scrutinize LinkedIn profiles for inconsistencies and verify recruiters’ identities through official HR channels rather than relying solely on online interactions.
This warning comes as cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike also recently exposed a phishing campaign in which scammers impersonated its recruitment team to distribute malicious Monero-mining software.
Meanwhile, the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) recently published a report highlighting the growing threat of crypto-related social media scams. The report outlined the increasingly sophisticated tactics aimed at exploiting investors and called for urgent measures to curb their spread.
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