The Story

In late August to early September 2022, one individual was searching for work and came across what looked like a legitimate opportunity: a remote proofreading role advertised on LinkedIn, supposedly connected to a well-known recruitment company.

After a video interview, they were offered the position. The scammers provided a contract and even sent a cheque for $3,000 to cover equipment costs. Trusting the process, the individual deposited the cheque into their bank account. When the funds appeared as “available” in the banking app, it seemed everything was in order.

Following instructions from the scammers, they transferred $2,000 via Zelle and Venmo to people they didn’t know. Soon after, however, the bank flagged the cheque as fraudulent. The money transferred was gone, and the account went into the negative.

Despite immediately reporting the incident to law enforcement and multiple agencies, the money could not be recovered.

Impact

• Financial: A loss of $2,000 that could not be recovered.

• Emotional: Feelings of shame and guilt, particularly from keeping the scam secret at first.

• Psychological: Existing depression and anxiety worsened, leading to the need for crisis support and time off work.

Lessons Learned

The victim shared the following insights to help others:

• Be open with loved ones – telling a partner or family member early could prevent bigger losses.

• Never trust anyone who asks you to send money to strangers.

• Look for red flags – such as grammatical errors in emails or contracts.

• Trust your gut – if something feels wrong, it probably is.

What Happened Next

The scam was reported to multiple agencies, including state police, consumer protection bodies, and federal authorities. Although a victim compensation claim was denied, the case was reopened in 2024, with investigators believing the funds were funnelled through compromised accounts as part of a wider global fraud ring.

To cope, the victim turned to journaling, reading survivor stories, and reaching out to emotional support services. They also considered advocacy work to push for stronger accountability from financial institutions.

Why This Story Matters

This experience shows just how convincing employment scams can be—especially when they mimic legitimate companies and professional hiring processes. Even when money “appears” in your account, it doesn’t mean a cheque has truly cleared.

By sharing this story, the victim hopes to raise awareness so others can spot the warning signs and avoid the same painful outcome.

Always Remember:

Stop. Check. Ask. Monitor.
Stay alert. Stay safe. Protect yourself and those around you from scams.

Together, we can outsmart the scammers