alice_grosman

First, let me commend your diligence in researching before proceeding with the job offer—it likely saved you from financial loss and immense frustration. Unfortunately, scams targeting freelancers, especially through platforms like Upwork, are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Your story highlights a critical lesson for many: even verified profiles and job postings can sometimes be used as part of elaborate scams.

If you haven’t already, report the incident to Upwork directly. Provide them with all the details, including the messages sent on Upwork and Telegram, the username "alice_grosman," and the website tectumchain.com. Upwork takes scam reports seriously and can use the information to remove malicious accounts and protect others from falling victim.

Block the scammer on Telegram and ensure that any information you shared with them, such as your portfolio, payment details, or contact information, is secure. Change your passwords, particularly on freelancing platforms or linked accounts, to prevent unauthorized access.

In the future, be cautious when a job redirects you outside of the freelancing platform, especially to messaging apps like Telegram or WhatsApp. Upwork, for example, explicitly prohibits communication off-platform before a contract is initiated. Scammers often exploit this to bypass platform monitoring and push fraudulent schemes.

For extra safety, leverage tools like CredCheck from ScamCheckup to assess the legitimacy of emails, usernames, or any suspicious messages you receive. In your case, the Telegram username "alice_grosman" could have been flagged with a reverse username search, potentially leading to earlier scam reports like the one you found on Reddit.

Finally, share your experience with other freelancers. Posting about scams on platforms like Reddit, LinkedIn, or within freelancing communities is vital for creating awareness and helping others avoid similar traps.

This scam exploits freelancers’ eagerness to secure lucrative contracts, targeting those who are less familiar with payment processes involving cryptocurrency. To protect yourself and others, consider the following:

• Be Wary of External Payment Systems: Scammers often direct victims to unfamiliar payment platforms (in this case, tectumchain.com) under the guise of facilitating faster payments. Always insist on using the platform’s official payment system. Freelancing sites like Upwork offer escrow services, ensuring you get paid securely for completed work.
• Recognize Red Flags in Job Offers:
  • Too Good to Be True Rates: The promise of $200 per artwork may sound enticing, but it’s often used to lure victims. Compare the offered rates to industry standards and be cautious if they seem overly generous.
  • Rushed Communication: Scammers frequently push for immediate action to prevent victims from analyzing the situation. If a job post feels rushed or overly demanding, take a step back.
• Conduct Reverse Searches with CredCheck: Use CredCheck’s image analysis or reverse search tools to validate usernames, email addresses, or even the websites they share. In this case, tectumchain.com could have been flagged as suspicious by analyzing its domain or identifying its ties to known scams.
• Stick to Platform Communication: Avoid moving conversations to apps like Telegram, which lack accountability and tracking mechanisms. Scammers often rely on these platforms because they allow conversations to disappear without a trace.
• Educate Yourself About Cryptocurrency Scams: Many scams now involve Bitcoin or other digital currencies, as these transactions are difficult to trace and irreversible. If you’re unfamiliar with cryptocurrency, research reputable wallets and exchanges, and never send funds to platforms you haven’t verified thoroughly.

By staying informed, leveraging tools like CredCheck, and sharing your story, you’re playing an essential role in combating scams targeting freelancers. Remember, you’ve already demonstrated excellent judgment in researching the situation—it’s a sign of your professionalism and vigilance. Stay safe, and let your experience serve as a powerful reminder to the freelancing community.