Crypto options exchange Deribit has issued a scam alert, cautioning job seekers about fraudulent recruiters impersonating company representatives on LinkedIn. The scheme, which primarily targets developers and senior professionals in the crypto industry, is the latest in a growing wave of employment-related cyber fraud.
Deribit’s Warning on Fake Recruiters
On March 19, 2025, Deribit’s Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), Anthony Sweeney, raised the alarm on X (formerly Twitter), revealing a surge in scammers posing as Deribit recruiters.
“We’ve seen a surge in scammers posing as recruiters claiming to work for Deribit. These tactics often appear in crypto first before spreading elsewhere.” – Anthony Sweeney
According to Deribit, fraudsters create fake LinkedIn profiles claiming to be talent scouts for the company. They post ads for high-paying jobs and reach out to candidates directly, deploying various tactics to steal money, credentials, or sensitive data.
Tactics Used in the Scam
Deribit has outlined several fraudulent strategies used by scammers:
- Malware Installations: Victims are asked to complete an online assessment that secretly installs malware.
- Fake Job Offers: Some scammers lure job seekers with “exclusive pre-hire perks” such as discounted company shares, only to steal money from the victims.
- In-Person Data Theft: Fraudsters set up fake contract-signing meetings, instructing candidates to bring their work laptops, possibly to gain unauthorized access to corporate data.
How Job Seekers Can Stay Safe
Deribit has advised candidates to stay cautious and verify any recruiter’s identity through official company channels. The company warns that if a job opportunity seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Growing Trend of Recruitment Scams in Crypto
Deribit’s warning comes amid an increase in phishing campaigns targeting job seekers. In January 2025, global cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike identified a phishing campaign that exploited its recruitment emails to distribute a malicious Monero (XMR) mining software.
The scam used fake job offers to trick applicants into downloading a fraudulent “employee CRM application”, which was actually an XMRig cryptominer.
As job scams become more sophisticated, crypto industry professionals must remain vigilant. Verifying recruiter credentials, cross-checking official company job listings, and avoiding unsolicited job offers with pre-hire perks are crucial steps in protecting oneself from these fraudulent schemes.
With Deribit joining other major firms in warning against recruitment scams, the industry must prioritize cybersecurity awareness to prevent further exploitation of job seekers in the crypto space.
