I was almost scammed by someone claiming to be from Nike on LinkedIn. I tried several times to meet on Google Meet. Nada. No show. Something didn’t feel right, so I searched their name and found a post that hit the nail on the head:

• RECRUITMENT SCAMMERS 😡 on LinkedIn — here’s how it goes:
  They play on your emotions 😤 and just want your money. They discredit all genuine recruiters on LinkedIn. [My experience]
• You post that you’re open for work. [Yes]
• You’re immediately contacted by 2–3 fake recruiters. [Only 1]
• They flatter you — “you’re brilliant, just what we need,” etc. [Yes]
• They ask questions, pretending to be genuinely interested. [No]
• They ask for your CV. [Yes]
• They tell you it’s terrible and needs to be “fixed.” [No, opposite]
• They direct you to Fiverr, where they “know someone” who can help. [No]
• That someone is probably them. [No]
• They run your CV through ChatGPT and an ATS scanner — then charge you. [No]
• When you say you’ll check their credentials, they vanish. [No]
• Their LinkedIn profiles disappear within hours. [Haven't looked; can't remember]

It’s astonishing how easy it is to get caught in the moment — especially when you’re open to opportunities, hopeful, and maybe a little vulnerable. They use your enthusiasm against you.

Luckily, I'm not too enthusiastic about working at the moment.

I’m sharing this because I want others to be aware. If someone contacts you about a job:

• Check their profile carefully — company history, mutual connections, past posts.
• Ask to meet on video before sharing personal details.
• Don’t pay for anything until you’ve verified it’s legitimate.
• Trust your instincts — if something feels off, it probably is.

This isn’t just about scammers. It’s about how precarious online trust has become. Even platforms like LinkedIn — supposedly professional and safe — have become breeding grounds for manipulation.