In recent developments, a significant call for scrutiny has emerged around an alleged scam associated with “OpenAi-etc,” which reportedly targeted over 6,000 individuals in Bangladesh. The complaints lodged with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) suggest that victims, spanning ages from teenagers to those in their fifties, were misled into investing substantial amounts of money under the pretense of legitimate job opportunities. The suspected fraud primarily affected residents across various metropolitan areas in Bangladesh, including major cities like Dhaka and Khulna.
Affected individuals recounted their experiences, revealing the deep economic repercussions they now face. One complainant, a school teacher, detailed their loss related to a scheduled trading event, explaining how they invested their entire savings only to find that the platform operated by OpenAi-etc had vanished unexpectedly. Such accounts highlight the devastating impact of scams that exploit hopeful job seekers’ ambitions and trust.
Niko Felix, a spokesperson for OpenAI, has refrained from commenting on whether the organization was aware of the misleading practices associated with the “OpenAi-etc” brand, but has confirmed that an investigation is underway. At the time of reporting, the alleged scam website was no longer accessible, and efforts to contact those behind it were unsuccessful. This scenario underscores the challenges in addressing sophisticated fraud operations that leverage established brand names to mislead individuals.
Telegram, used as a communication tool in this scam, offered insights into its monitoring practices. The spokesperson, Remi Vaughn, stated that the platform employs advanced artificial intelligence and machine-learning tools to actively moderate for harmful content, including scams. Despite these measures, the widespread nature of such fraudulent activities remains a significant challenge.
The deceptive tactics employed in the OpenAi-etc scheme illustrate a common pattern seen in crypto job scams, where victims are misled into depositing digitalcurrency into accounts that they believe possess control over. The tactics of scammers can be analyzed using the MITRE ATT&CK framework, which identifies initial access methods, such as social engineering, to persuade victims and exploit their trust. Scammers often enhance their deception through prolonged direct engagements, fostering a sense of reliability before executing their schemes.
Cultural factors may further complicate the situation, particularly in regions like Asia, where societal norms often entail a higher acceptance of authority. Cybersecurity expert Arun Vishwanath points out that this dynamic can make individuals more susceptible to scams, as scammers often imitate authority figures to create urgency and prompt compliance from their targets.
Bangladesh has recently witnessed a surge in employment-related scams targeting those desperate for work, exacerbated by economic challenges. Reports have surfaced of individuals falling victim to false job offers, leading to dire situations such as kidney organ theft in India, highlighting the severe risks associated with international job searches.
As the investigation into the OpenAi-etc scam unfolds, it serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities inherent in the job market. Business owners must remain vigilant about the evolving tactics used by cyber criminals and consider the implications of heightened fraud risks, particularly among populations facing economic adversity. Understanding the technical methods employed in these attacks through the MITRE ATT&CK framework could be crucial in developing preventive strategies against similar incidents in the future.
