As a frontend developer with years of experience working with technologies like React and Next.js, I’m constantly on the lookout for new opportunities to grow. So, when I received an unexpected email offering a career opportunity at Crate App, a company I had never heard of, I thought it was a potential step forward in my career. But soon, I realized that the recruitment process wasn’t what it seemed, and what I thought was a legitimate job offer quickly turned into something I now see as a scam targeting tech workers like me.
The First Email: A Simple Job Offer
On April 17, I received an email from someone named Jacob, using the email address jacob@getcrate.app. The message seemed like a straightforward job offer, asking if I was interested in a position at Crate App. At first glance, the email made it sound as though I had applied for the position, which immediately caught my attention. I thought to myself, “Did I apply for a job I forgot about?” It wasn’t out of the question since I often browse job listings on platforms like Glassdoor, Indeed, and LinkedIn.
I quickly checked my accounts on these job platforms to see if Crate App appeared in my list of applications, but to my surprise, I found nothing. There was no record of any job application for Crate App. This discrepancy made me even more suspicious. Was this a legitimate job offer or part of a scam?
Researching Crate App: The Red Flags
To be sure, I started researching Crate App to figure out if it was a legitimate company. To my surprise, I couldn’t find much information about them. A search for Crate App didn’t lead to a company with a robust online presence, and their website was either too sparse or simply didn’t exist. There were no substantial social media accounts, no reviews, and no press mentions. This immediately raised red flags for me, and I began to wonder if the email was part of a recruitment scam targeting unsuspecting tech workers
I also looked for the company on job platforms like Glassdoor, Indeed, and LinkedIn to see if anyone had shared any experiences or if the company was listed there. But I found no record of Crate App, and I didn’t see any job postings related to them. It made me question why such a supposedly growing company wouldn’t have a more visible presence in places where job seekers typically research companies.
Despite this, I wasn’t completely convinced, and I wanted to make sure I wasn’t jumping to conclusions. So, I chose to ignore the email but didn’t delete it, keeping it as a reminder to continue my research. The lack of information, coupled with the suspicious nature of the email, made me more determined to verify the truth.
The Second Email: A Repeat Offer
Then, on May 14, I received another email from Jacob at the same address, jacob@getcrate.app. This time, the email was more urgent, reminding me of the opportunity and asking if I was still interested in exploring the position at Crate App. The message felt even more insistent, and that’s when I realized this wasn’t a typical recruitment effort.
It was the same email address, the same vague job offer, and now an additional layer of pressure to respond. The repeated emails made it clear that this wasn’t just a one-time mistake but a systematic effort to target individuals like myself. It was as though they were trying to make me feel like I had missed an opportunity or was on the verge of losing out.
What made me even more suspicious was that I had saved the first email, which allowed me to easily compare the two. The first email had been sent from an address labeled as “Crate App,” and the second one came from the same address, but this time it was signed by “Jacob.” While the email address remained consistent, the shift in tone and the personal signature raised even more red flags. It seemed like a deliberate attempt to create a more personal connection, making the offer seem more legitimate than it actually was.
By this time, I had done enough research to know that Crate App wasn’t a well-established or reputable company. I had also read about similar experiences from others in the tech community who had been contacted by this same email address. Many had reported feeling pressured into engaging with the offer, and some had even gone as far as setting up interviews only to realize they were caught in a scam. It became clear to me that this was likely a recruitment scam — and thankfully, I didn’t fall for it.
While the second email made it feel like the offer was legitimate and the urgency heightened, my growing awareness and research kept me from getting involved. I made sure to ignore the email and kept it as another reminder of how carefully we must tread when receiving unsolicited job offers. In the end, I’m glad I stayed vigilant, but the whole experience highlighted how scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, making it crucial for tech workers to be cautious and diligent when handling such unsolicited outreach.
Why Didn’t I Fall for It?
It might seem easy to fall for scams like this, especially when they’re disguised as genuine job opportunities and come at a time when many of us are actively searching for our next role. But there were a few key things that made me pause — and ultimately protected me from engaging further:
Lack of Personalization
The emails I received were vague and impersonal. There was no mention of my name, my portfolio, or any specific experience that would make me a good fit for the role they were supposedly offering. A real recruiter or hiring manager would typically include details showing they’ve reviewed your profile or résumé. The absence of this was the first red flag.Inconsistent and Minimal Company Information
When I searched for “Crate App” online, I was immediately met with more questions than answers. The first result wasn’t a company website — it was a Reddit post in r/CryptoScams, warning others about a suspicious entity called “Digital Crate App.” That alone was alarming.Digging deeper, I found a blog article titled "Crate App Careers Recruitment Scam Targets Tech Workers" by Shreya Roy, which confirmed my suspicions. The article not only broke down how the scam worked, but it also specifically mentioned the exact email address I had received messages from — jacob@getcrate.app.
Seeing this address called out directly was the tipping point. It validated my experience and made it clear that this was not a legitimate company, but a patterned and targeted scam.
Beyond that, Crate App had no professional-looking website, no active social media accounts, no LinkedIn presence, and no employee profiles. For a tech company supposedly hiring developers, designers, or engineers, this lack of digital footprint is a glaring red flag.
Beyond that, there was no professional-looking website, no LinkedIn company page, no press coverage, and no credible tech presence anywhere. For a company claiming to be hiring engineers and tech professionals, this was incredibly unusual. Even startups still in stealth typically have a landing page or some traceable identity. The absence of any substantial or consistent branding made it clear that something was off.Urgency Without Any Real Details
The second email, which arrived on May 14, came across as more insistent. It emphasized urgency and re-pitched the opportunity, asking if I was still interested. But again, there were no new details — no job title, responsibilities, compensation information, or company background. Just pressure. Scammers often use urgency to override our instincts and push us to respond without thinking. But if an opportunity is truly legitimate, you’re given time and transparency to make an informed decision.The Illusion of an Application I Never Submitted
Perhaps the most manipulative part of the first email was how it subtly implied that I had applied for this role. That prompted me to check my accounts on LinkedIn, Glassdoor, Indeed, and JobStreet just to make sure I hadn’t forgotten about an application. But I found no trace of Crate App — not in my application history, not on the job boards, not even in the job listings themselves. This tactic of faking a previous application is a psychological trick designed to lower your guard and make the outreach seem legitimate.Same Email, Different Presentation
Because I had saved the first email, I was able to notice something odd: both emails were sent from jacob@getcrate.app, but the sender’s display name had changed. The first email had been labeld ”Crate App,” while the second was signed “Jacob.” This subtle change felt calculated — like a shift from a company façade to a personal tone, likely to seem more authentic and build trust. But to me, it was just another inconsistency.Too Good to Be True
While the emails never included a salary or benefits upfront, the tone suggested an easy, enticing opportunity — the kind you don’t want to miss. That’s another hallmark of scam offers: they’re often vague, but always sound like a "perfect fit" or "exclusive chance." Real hiring processes rarely work that way. They involve detailed descriptions, multiple interviews, and transparency. This felt more like a hook than a hiring process.
Why This Matters
Scams like this one are becoming more common in the tech world, and they often target highly skilled individuals who are actively seeking new career opportunities. As tech professionals, we need to be vigilant and aware of the signs of fraudulent recruitment efforts. Scammers prey on our curiosity and career aspirations, hoping we’ll let our guard down.
I was fortunate to have done my research and recognized the signs early on. However, not everyone may be as cautious, and scams like these can cause real harm. It’s essential to always verify the legitimacy of job offers and recruitment emails, especially when they come out of the blue and seem too good to be true.
Conclusion
In the end, I never set up an interview or responded to the emails. I simply continued my research, which confirmed my suspicions. My experience with Crate App’s recruitment emails serves as a reminder to always be cautious and skeptical of unsolicited job offers. If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts and dig deeper before taking any further steps.
Unfortunately, I’m sure this won’t be the last time I (or any of my fellow tech professionals) are targeted by such scams. However, by sharing my story, I hope to help others recognize the signs and avoid falling into the trap. Stay vigilant, and keep learning — that’s the best way to stay one step ahead in this ever-changing tech landscape.
References:
ShoppersVila Review: Crate App Careers Recruitment Scam Targets Tech Workers
https://shoppersvila.com/review/crate-app-careers-recruitment-scam-targets-tech-workers/Reddit Post on the Crate App Scam
https://www.reddit.com/r/CryptoScams/comments/1iklr9j/scam_digital_crate_app/Similar Scam: Job Seekers Targeted by Scammers in Mobile Phishing Campaign
https://www.technewsworld.com/story/job-seekers-targeted-by-scammers-in-mobile-phishing-campaign-179496.htmlCrowdStrike similar scam: Recruitment Phishing Scam Imitates CrowdStrike Hiring Process
https://www.crowdstrike.com/en-us/blog/recruitment-phishing-scam-imitates-crowdstrike-hiring-process/