I Just Wanted to Work from Home. Then a “Client” Tried to Scam Me.

A fake client, a real cheque, and a close call—how I almost got scammed while looking for honest online work.

When I first started looking for online jobs, I wasn’t chasing six figures. I wasn’t even aiming big. I just wanted something I could do from home—something flexible, low-cost, and honest. Like many others, I joined platforms like Fiverr, hoping for a small gig to get me started.

And then… someone reached out.

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Day 1: The Message on Fiverr

I received a message from a “client” on Fiverr. He was looking for someone to help with a simple data entry project—nothing too technical. It sounded like the perfect small job.

He said I’d need access to some apps to perform the work, but assured me he’d pay me upfront so I wouldn’t be out of pocket.

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Day 2: The Payroll Setup

He asked for my bank details, claiming it was for payroll purposes. That gave me pause—but then he sent a full contract agreement. It looked official, with my job responsibilities, the payment structure, and signature lines. I signed.

To be safe, I did my own quick check. I looked up the company name, the cheque itself, even the website he linked me to. Everything matched up. It wasn’t flawless, but it was detailed, consistent, and convincing enough that I gave it the benefit of the doubt.

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Day 3: The “Hiccup”

He emailed again, saying there was an issue setting me up in their payroll system. Until that was sorted, he said they’d send my first payment by cheque.

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Day 4: The Overpayment

Then came the twist: the cheque had been written for too much.

He told me I could keep my agreed amount and just send back the difference once it cleared. It felt off, but the contract, website, and the way it all unfolded made me hesitate. I didn’t want to assume the worst.

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Day 5: The Cheque Clears

To my surprise, the cheque cleared. My bank showed the funds as available.

I emailed him about the cheque he and he replied—this time asking me to return the “extra” money via Bitcoin.

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Day 5, Later: Reality Hits

That’s when I froze. I told some friends what had happened—and they were direct:

“It’s a scam.”

“That cheque will bounce.”

“You’ll be on the hook for everything.”

I looked it up and sure enough, this is a well-documented scam. Scammers use fake or stolen cheques that temporarily “clear,” making the victim believe the money is real. Then they ask for a refund—usually through crypto, which is untraceable. And once the fraud is caught, the cheque bounces, but the scammer already has your real money.

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I Almost Fell for It

I didn’t send the money. But I was so close.

This wasn’t some messy, obvious scam. They used a real-looking contract. A polished website. The details synced just enough to feel real. Scammers like this prey on people who are simply trying to earn a living.

So if you’re job hunting online—please be careful. If someone overpays and asks you to refund the difference—especially through crypto—stop. Even if the cheque “clears,” that doesn’t mean it’s real.

I’m still looking for a legitimate work-from-home job. But now I’m looking with sharper eyes. And I hope my story helps someone else pause before they trust too easily.