Another day, another WhatsApp recruitment scam. This time, the scammers have latched onto the name DataHive Digital, luring unsuspecting South Africans with promises of easy work-from-home opportunities and daily earnings of up to R1,600.
But let’s be clear—this scam is not new. The name may be, but the method is the same. The people behind it are simply repackaging an old con under a new name, just as they have done with BrandHeart Digital Marketing, Social Path, Bermont Digital, Solucru, and R17 Ventures before.
The Script: A Classic WhatsApp Scam Playbook
The scam follows the same tired script that has been circulating in different variations for months. The message, sent via WhatsApp from an unknown number, introduces a so-called HR representative—this time, someone calling themselves “KATIE ALVES” from DataHive Digital.
The message reads:
“We got your number from our employee referrals, recruitment platforms such as Indeed, LinkedIn, and other recruitment agencies etc., and they forward your number.”
That is already a red flag. Legitimate companies do not randomly source job candidates this way, nor do Indeed and LinkedIn hand out personal contact details to third parties.
From there, the offer unfolds:
- Work from home as an official brand reviewer and surveyor.
- “It is not like a job, just a simple way of working for you.”
- No need to commit time or meet any formal employment requirements.
- Joining is free, and earnings supposedly reach up to R1,600 per day.
It is an irresistible offer on the surface, designed to lure in the desperate and the unsuspecting. But the reality is that this is not a job—it’s a setup.
A Real Business Name Hijacked
A quick search on CIPC reveals that a DataHive does exist—but not as a recruitment agency or marketing company.
DataHive.co.za appears to be a medical solutions company, making it highly unlikely that it is suddenly involved in hiring “brand reviewers” for a freelance work-from-home scheme.
As of the time of writing, the legitimate DataHive has not publicly addressed the scam. Efforts to reach the company for comment have not been successful.
However, the absence of a response does not necessarily indicate any association with the scam—it may simply mean the company is unaware that its name is being used fraudulently or has not yet issued a statement.
The Pattern: A Scam That Keeps Repeating Itself
For anyone who has followed these WhatsApp scams, the DataHive Digital con is just another version of the same scheme that has targeted multiple companies before.
Some real businesses that have fallen victim to this tactic include:
- BrandHeart Digital Marketing – Read More
- Social Path – Read More
- Bermont Digital – Read More
- Solucru Digital – Read More
- R17 Ventures – Read More
At the same time, other scammers go a step further, creating completely fake digital companies with hastily constructed websites filled with AI-generated text and plagiarised content. Some examples of entirely fictitious scam companies include:
Regardless of whether the scammers hijack a real company name or invent a fake one, their goal remains unchanged:
- Send unsolicited WhatsApp messages claiming to offer a job.
- Promise high daily earnings for minimal work.
- Claim sign-up is free, but eventually introduce some form of activation fee, fake verification charge, or payment request.
- Provide vague job descriptions and refuse to conduct real interviews.
The Final Verdict
The DataHive Digital scam is not unique—it is simply another iteration of the same fraudulent WhatsApp job recruitment scheme that has been circulating for months.
The red flags are unmistakable:
- Unsolicited job offers on WhatsApp from unknown recruiters.
- False claims of number sourcing from LinkedIn or Indeed.
- Excessive earning promises (R1,600 per day) with no experience required.
- Vague job descriptions and an unclear company profile.
- A non-existent hiring process—just send a message and you’re in.
Jobseekers should not fall for these WhatsApp recruitment scams. If an offer seems too good to be true, it always is.
This scam will not be the last—it will return, under a different name, with a new script, targeting a fresh pool of victims. The only thing that changes is the name.
