In today’s economy, the allure of a flexible, remote job with big payouts is more tempting than ever. So, when you get a text from someone offering up to $3,000 a day to “assist Temu merchants with product reviews,” it’s easy to be curious—maybe even hopeful. But behind that promise lies a sophisticated scam, one that has already victimized people across the country.
Job Offer Too Good to Be True: How the Scam Works
A recent article on KTLA in Los Angeles, warned Angelenos about another job offer scam that is too good to be true. You get a text message out of the blue. It’s from a friendly-sounding recruiter—perhaps “Juliana” or “Monica”—offering a low-effort, high-paying part-time job working with Temu, the popular discount shopping app.
The offer? Spend just 15 minutes a day rating products, and you could earn thousands. It starts innocently enough: they guide you to a “training platform” with a login and a fake account balance that grows quickly—sometimes up to $18,000. But there’s a catch.
Before you can cash out, you’re hit with “combo orders” that mysteriously lower your balance. Then they hit you with a new twist: you have to deposit your own money to continue working and unlock your “earnings.” And when you finally try to withdraw the money? The account is frozen, and they ask for even more money to unlock it.
What Victims Are Saying
The article also shared how one Reddit user got in deep:
“It’s embarrassing for me to even admit that I was so stupid to think this was a legitimate company… Instead, I lost all that money!”
Another described how their account balance appeared to be nearly $18,000—until a fake coach told them they’d need to deposit $9,000 more to access it.
These scammers manipulate emotions—hope, urgency, fear of loss—to extract real money from desperate or unsuspecting victims.
Spotted in Los Angeles… Is It in Your Area Too?
This scam has recently gained traction in Los Angeles, as reported by multiple sources. But it’s not isolated to just Southern California. These types of job scams are showing up nationwide, with minor variations in script and approach.
Have you or someone you know received one of these fake Temu job offer texts?
Let us know in the comments where you saw it. Let’s crowdsource a map of how far this scam has spread.
Red Flags to Watch Out For
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Temu themselves are warning people to stay alert. The sad reality is that this scam is not much different than other imposter scams we are constantly monitoring here at YouMail. They tend to either play of the user’s fear, like missing out on a package, or protecting their finical assets; or hopes, like missing out on a great job offer.
Here are the biggest signs you’re being targeted by a scam:
1. Unsolicited Job Offers via Text or Social Media
Legit companies don’t hire through cold-text outreach. If you never applied, it’s a red flag.
2. Promises of High Pay for Minimal Work
$200–$3,000 a day for 15 minutes of effort? That’s not a job—it’s a lure.
3. Fake Training Sites and Account Balances
You’re given logins to a fake platform showing balances that aren’t real—designed to build trust and bait you into spending your own money.
4. Requests for Personal Info or Deposits
If someone asks you to “top up” your work account or link your bank info—stop immediately. No real job will ask for that.
5. Pressure Tactics from “Coaches”
Fraudsters posing as job trainers use manipulation and urgency to pressure you into sending money.
How YouMail Protects You from Scams Like This
The Temu job scam is a textbook example of smishing—SMS phishing—and robocall fraud, both of which are skyrocketing in the U.S.
Here’s how YouMail helps you stay protected:
1. Blocks Known Scam Numbers Automatically
YouMail’s massive, real-time database flags and blocks calls and texts from verified scam numbers, including those tied to job and financial fraud.
2. Scam Text & Voicemail Protection
Whether it’s a fake Temu job or a bogus package delivery notice, YouMail filters out scam texts and voicemails before you even see them.
3. Community-Powered Alerts
See what scams are trending in your area via the YouMail Directory. Share your experiences and stay updated on new threats.
4. Robocall Index
Want to know how serious the robocall problem is near you? Check out the Robocall Index, updated daily by YouMail to track scam trends.
Help Others: Report the Scam
If you’ve encountered this or any other scam, report it immediately to:
- FTC Complaint Assistant
- Temu’s official support team
- YouMail’s Privacy Scanner to check if your number or identity may have already been compromised
Your Turn: Have You Been Targeted?
Have you seen this Temu job offer text? How about another random Job offer?
- Did it mention a recruiter named “Juliana” or a coach named “Hannah” or “Sofia”?
- Was your area targeted?
💬 Drop a comment with your city and what the message said. Let’s track how far this scam has spread.
