Looking for freelance work on Facebook? Watch out for this typing scam that lures you to Telegram and tries to steal money with fake fees.
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| This seemingly high-paying typing job on Facebook was a trap! See how one freelancer outsmarted a Telegram scam attempt. Image: ChicHue |
Freelance marketplaces are full of opportunity, but also rife with risk.
User "FreelanceFinder" (name anonymized) on Facebook recently encountered a classic bait-and-switch on a typing job posting that quickly turned into a Telegram scam attempt.
The initial offer, posted on a freelance group, seemed promising: a high per-page rate for retyping a 40-page document.
But things went south when "FreelanceFinder" expressed interest, getting redirected to contact "Arlando Ashly" on Telegram, a messaging app known for its privacy-focused features.
Red flags began to wave:
Arlando offered a generous $50 per page with a tight 3-day deadline, all while refusing to use a secure platform like a freelance website to mediate the contract.
When "FreelanceFinder" pushed back, Arlando insisted on finalizing the work first.
The Test:
Suspecting a scam, "FreelanceFinder" decided to play along. They sent a random file instead of the completed work. To their surprise, Arlando didn't notice the bait and forwarded them to another contact, "Jerry," to handle payment.
This confirmed "FreelanceFinder's" suspicions – the focus was never on the quality of work, but on manipulating them into upfront fees.
This Telegram typing scam hinges on luring freelancers with attractive rates and tight deadlines.
Once engaged, the scammer isolates them on a less-secure platform and invents reasons to delay payment, often introducing bogus fees like "disbursement charges" to extract money.
Stay Frosty, Freelancers:
Remember, if an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is. Always prioritize secure platforms with built-in payment protection. Legitimate employers won't ask you to pay for processing fees.
If something feels off, report suspicious activity to the platform where you found the job posting. By sharing these red flags, we can help keep the freelance marketplace safe for everyone.