25 Best Almost Illegal Hustles to Make Money Online

Be cautious when it comes to the list of best illegal hustles to make money online. Engaging in illegal activities can be dangerous and lead to imprisonment. Even if you attempt to learn more about these activities, they still pose risks. However, it’s beneficial to educate yourself about illegal hustles to avoid potential problems. Additionally, it’s important to explore legitimate side jobs, which offer great earning potential.

A side hustle doesn’t necessarily mean it’s illegal or negative. It refers to an additional job people take on alongside their main occupation. This is quite common in the US, with around 39% of adults having a side hustle. On average, it brings in $810 per month and is popular among low-income workers. About 42% of these workers earn less than $50,000 annually, while 53% of the Gen-Z generation have side hustles. During times of crisis, such as the 2008 financial downturn or the recent pandemic, the number of side hustlers tends to increase. This trend may continue in the coming years.

It’s important to note that hardworking individuals can also be considered hustlers. Legal hustlers are proactive and persistent, seizing opportunities rather than waiting for them. They aren’t afraid of criticism and easily make new connections. They possess confidence and knowledge of what they need, allowing them to establish price ranges and influence the market.

Now, let’s address the question posed in this article – what are the best illegal hustles to make money online? When does a side job cross the line into illegal territory? Illegal hustles are jobs that harm others, whether individuals or the system itself, such as evading taxes or engaging in fraudulent activities. When you earn money through tax evasion or commit real scams, you’re involved in an illegal hustle. Working “under the table” is another form of hustle where you perform a legal job but receive cash payments to evade the tax system.

In this article, we have compiled a list of the most popular illegal hustles for making quick cash through online work. These hustles are prevalent on the internet, putting many of us at risk of being scammed. We conducted research on popular lists of these best illegal hustles to make money online and ranked them based on their popularity and frequency of occurrence. Some involve common online frauds, while others extend beyond the internet. However, it’s essential to emphasize that we distance ourselves from illegal activities. This list merely serves as an exposé of common online frauds, intended as a warning rather than advice on breaking the law. 

25. Work-at-home schemes

Working from home is often appealing and considered a great side hustle job. However, it’s important to be cautious as it can also be a breeding ground for scams. The problem arises when someone you don’t know asks you for money under the pretense of education or a membership fee. Unfortunately, they are only interested in taking your money, leaving you without a job or any earnings.

24. Bitcoin and crypto scams

While cryptocurrency itself is not a scam, buying it online can expose you to potential scams. Scammers employ various tactics to persuade victims to utilize their platforms as online crypto wallets. Once you transfer money to these fraudulent portals, they simply take it without any intention of providing legitimate cryptocurrency. Furthermore, an advanced level of this scam involves scammers collaborating with hackers to breach your online wallet and steal all the coins you possess. It’s crucial to remain vigilant and cautious when engaging in online cryptocurrency transactions.

23. Selling drugs

Selling drugs online has been a hustle for a long time, but it has evolved with modern technology. Nowadays, people can engage in buying or selling drugs through the dark web or other hidden channels. However, it’s important to note that selling drugs is illegal, and participating in such activities means breaking the law.

22. MLM companies

Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) is not inherently a scam, but it can potentially turn into one under certain circumstances. It’s essential to be aware of the problematic aspects associated with participating in these schemes when trading goods. Firstly, your earnings are dependent on the individuals below you in the system receiving their share, and you are required to give a portion of your earnings to those above you. Ultimately, only a small number of people tend to achieve wealth, while others work diligently for them.

21. Avoiding paying taxes

Engaging in legal side hustle jobs doesn’t guarantee immunity from illegal activities. For instance, if you work a job that pays you in cash and intentionally fail to report that income, you are in violation of the law. This practice is prevalent in various online gigs, often performed by freelancers. It’s important to remember that even within legal side hustles, certain actions can still be unlawful.

20. Selling electronic copies

The market for counterfeit products from famous brands is extensive, and a significant portion of these items are sold online. The accessibility of social networks and the internet makes it easy for individuals to become involved in this illicit activity.

19. Selling stolen goods

Selling stolen goods is clearly illegal, but it’s worth noting that many people may be unaware that the goods they possess were acquired through illegitimate means. This is especially true when individuals use dubious methods to obtain goods for resale.

18. Robbery

There are numerous methods by which individuals can commit online theft, and unfortunately, the list of these methods has expanded with the rise of the internet. For that reason, we put it on the list of the best illegal hustles to make money online. It is crucial to be aware that your money can be stolen in various ways online.

17. Scamming

The internet is filled with numerous scam messages, and depending on your online activities and searches, you can become a target for scam. Whether you are searching for a job online or seeking easy ways to earn money, scammers will try to exploit your lack of knowledge or distraction in order to deceive you and take your money.

16. Dark web scammers

Unlike spammers who are typically bothersome but not overly dangerous, scammers operate within a much more perilous hustling system. They may lure you with enticing promises of job opportunities or easy ways to earn money, leading you to easily fall for their deceptive offers. The dark web, a hidden part of the internet intended for illicit activities, is teeming with scammers.

15. Spammers

Another type of spamming scheme involves sending frequent SMS messages or emails filled with unimportant information. These messages are designed to create a sense of urgency or necessity around their product or service. However, they often contain misleading information and can become tiresome and boring to recipients.

14. Identity frauds

Determining the exact level of danger posed by these frauds can be challenging, particularly since their impact varies depending on the specific fraudulent activity. Typically, these frauds are employed to extract money from websites or online portals or to deceive individuals in various internet games. The danger lies in the potential financial losses, compromised personal information, or falling victim to identity theft.

13. Reselling tickets

When it comes to purchasing tickets for sporting events or movie premieres, it’s important to note that it is generally not legal to resell them to a third party. However, illegal opportunities do exist where people can make substantial amounts of money quickly, especially when tickets are in high demand and have sold out. In such cases, individuals who are desperate to obtain tickets may be willing to go to great lengths to secure them.

12. Selling fake homemade foods (or other items)

Selling counterfeit homemade goods has long been a widespread and highly lucrative practice, albeit one that is illegal. It’s important to note that when referring to fake items, we are talking about products that lack proper documentation. This includes homemade soaps, food items, or even dog treats that do not have the necessary declarations.

11. Instagram money flipping

The online world has witnessed a surge in the popularity of an illegal hustle aimed at making money. This particular scheme involves individuals on Instagram soliciting funds from unsuspecting victims under the guise of investing in their fraudulent businesses. What makes this practice particularly alarming is the fact that these scammers have honed their presentations to such a degree that even the most astute and seasoned users find it difficult to discern the authenticity of their offerings.

10. Stealing funds

You’re correct, the activity I previously described is not merely a hustle, but rather a form of online theft that is perpetrated by individuals with access to funds and bank accounts. These individuals exploit the lack of attention and knowledge of their victims to carry out their fraudulent schemes. They may deceive you into unknowingly providing access to your funds or manipulate the funds you have already invested, thus enabling them to steal money from your accounts. It’s important to remain vigilant and informed to protect yourself from such deceptive practices.

9. Ransomware hacking

These thefts often involve tactics where your phone or computer is locked, and the perpetrators demand payment in order to unlock them. This technique, known as ransomware, is a form of cyber extortion. The criminals exploit vulnerabilities in your devices or deceive you into downloading malicious software that takes control of your system.

8. Spambot hacking

As mentioned earlier, spamming is widely recognized as an illicit method of generating income on the internet, particularly when it involves the collection of data or the indiscriminate sending of numerous unsolicited emails to potential clients. Even if it is solely intended for commercial purposes, spamming is regarded as a form of hacking.

7. Blackhat hacking

Engaging in this type of hustle requires a more advanced level of hacking expertise, as it necessitates specialized programs and in-depth knowledge. The crux of the matter lies in identifying vulnerabilities within expansive systems and websites, then exploiting those weaknesses for the purpose of carrying out thefts.

6. Selling illegal e-books

We can all recall the era when illegal CDs and tapes were sold, and this type of hustle has evolved with the advent of the internet. However, there has been a shift in focus, with e-books becoming the primary target. These e-books, particularly those in pre-sale, can carry exorbitant prices. Exploiting the internet, individuals can now readily sell these e-books illegally to a wide range of buyers.

5. Credit card skimming

Another lucrative online hustle, which requires both knowledge and specialized tools, involves the use of credit card scanners. These scanners are typically inserted into ATM machines, allowing criminals to capture sensitive information such as your PIN code and other card details. With this data, they can create a duplicate card for unauthorized transactions.