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Crypto Jobs Scams 101: A dYdX Recruitment Scam Case Study

In crypto employment, it's not all blockchain breakthroughs and Bitcoin bonuses. Nope, lurking in the shadows or lucrative cryptocurrency opportunities are the crafty crypto job scams, ready to strike the unsuspecting job hunter.

These scams are slick, often cloaked in the reputation of big names in the industry, enticing job seekers with fake job offers that seem all the more believable.

It’s a game of digital cat and mouse, where staying one step ahead means keeping your wits about you. And today, we've got quite the story for you.

Part 1. How a dYdX Impersonator Tried to Scam Applicants

In today's episode of job advertisement fraud, a scammer uses a @ProtonMail account to post a deceptive job ad, impersonating @dYdX.

The ad lures applicants towards a private Google form, requesting personal information under the guise of a legitimate recruitment process.

But, the plot thickens as the fraudulent job ad doesn't see the light of day on our job board. @CryptoJobsList's systems, vigilant against unsolicited and suspicious activities, automatically flag the ad as fraudulent.

The Scammer's Bold Ultimatum

When asked to verify the legitimacy of their affiliation with @dydx's via official channels, the scammer, unfazed, issues a 24-hour ultimatum. The threats are stark:

"If you no action is taken, then I will begin to spoil the reputation of your project"
"I intend write to the Coinbase Merchant with a formal complaint"
"I will also start writing negative reviews and create complete anti-advertising among my colleagues and HR community"

Wow! Never seen an HR professional being so "kind" over email:

But, It Gets Better!

Intrigued and determined, a request is made, once again, for the scammer to reach out via the official email or Twitter account of dYdX. In a surprising turn of events, the scammer somehow manages to do it!

They send an email from [email protected] claiming that “Lee G Kurtz [email protected]” is "legit"

The Facade Crumbles

However, once we replied to that email— it bounced— proving that it does not actually exist.

Not one to leave stones unturned, I reached out to the @dydx exec team. They confirmed that no such person as "Lee G Kurtz" associated with [email protected] works for the foundation.

Key Takeaways From This Recruitment Scam

The incident sheds light on important lessons:

Vigilance is Paramount: If someone from [email protected] or named "Lee G Kurtz" reaches out to you - know it's a scammer.
Question Unconventional Methods: Be wary of Google Forms for job applications, especially if it's coming from a large company. While some legitimate organizations may use Google Forms for HR purposes, it's a rarity and often a mistake. Please, don't trust it.
Trust Your Instincts: If your gut tells you something is off — trust it. Especially, when you're under pressure.
Safeguard Personal and Financial Information: Be extremely cautious with any job posting that requires upfront personal or financial information, such as bank account details. Legitimate employers will not ask for this information before a formal job offer is made and verified.

Huge thanks to @dYdX @dydxfoundation management team for quickly responding to this matter, setting a precedent for how crypto organizations should safeguard their community against such deceptive practices.