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A sophisticated job has surfaced, exploiting OpenAI’s name to deceive international workers, particularly in Bangladesh. The fraudulent scheme, orchestrated through a website called ‘OpenAi-etc’ and facilitated via Telegram, lured victims with promises of online employment and cryptocurrency investment opportunities. However, after months of operation, the platform suddenly disappeared, leaving workers without earnings.
At least 6,000 people in Bangladesh were affected, with total losses estimated at around $50,000. Victims included people from various age groups, ranging from teenagers to individuals in their fifties, spread across cities like Dhaka and Khulna, reports Wired.
Individuals were approached on Telegram by someone known as ‘Aiden,’ who claimed to be affiliated with OpenAI. Workers were encouraged to sign up on the ChatGPT-branded app and cryptocurrency investing in exchange for performing online tasks.
The scam initially offered profits based on victims’ investments to appear legitimate.
Over time, recruits were persuaded to invest more and bring in additional members. The scam gained credibility when its organisers claimed to provide financial aid to victims of a cyclone that struck Bangladesh in May. With a growing network and apparent goodwill, trust in the platform strengthened.
On August 29, 2024, all activity on ‘OpenAi-etc’ ceased. The website went offline, and the supposed company representatives, including Aiden, vanished. Workers lost not only their expected earnings but also their initial investments. Some had even convinced others to join, further compounding the financial damage.
According to complaints submitted to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC), some victims verified that ‘OpenAi-etc’ was registered as a business in Colorado and even listed a physical address in New York City. Despite these seemingly legitimate credentials, the operation was ultimately a front for fraud. Researchers reviewed online records and found that a Chinese web service provider hosted the scam website.
While the FTC has not publicly confirmed an investigation, OpenAI has acknowledged the issue and is looking into the matter. Telegram, the recruitment platform, has stated that it actively moderates harmful content and scams, utilising AI and machine learning tools to remove fraudulent accounts and misleading content.
Experts warn that scams like these are becoming increasingly common. They often leverage the names of reputable companies to build trust. These operations usually involve victims depositing cryptocurrency into an account they believe they control until the scammers drain the funds without warning.
Job scams are scams in which fraudsters lure victims with fake job opportunities. These ads are sometimes used for malware deployment or general phishing purposes. For instance, in February 2025, fake Food Corporation of India (FCI) ads were used as bait for Xelera ransomware.
In October 2024, scammers impersonated Temu and TikTok platforms to target job seekers.
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