Freelance work with an advance fee or an overpayment refund
A client pays too much by mistake and asks for the difference back, and the original payment later reverses.
Community reports: 0
How it works
- A "client" finds you on a freelancing site, social media or email and offers easy, well-paid work in design, writing, tutoring or data entry.
- Either they ask for a registration or software fee before you start, or they send more than agreed and ask you to return the extra quickly.
- The work never pays, or their payment bounces, reverses or was never real, and the money you paid or returned is gone.
What it looks like
Example messages. Numbers and links are masked.
Hi, I accidentally sent you Rs 25,000 instead of Rs 2,500 for the logo work. Please return Rs 22,500 to my UPI today, my boss will be angry.
Before starting, buy our design software licence for Rs 3,000 from our vendor. It will be reimbursed with your first payment.
Red flags
- Client pays more than agreed
- Asks you to return money quickly
- Fee or purchase before any work
- Payment proof is only a screenshot
- Wants to move off the freelancing site
The one question to ask
Why would a real client need you to send them money at all?
Already paid or shared details?
Call 1930 at once: in the first hour the money can often still be frozen before it moves on. Then call your bank on the number printed on your card, and file a complaint at cybercrime.gov.in with screenshots of every message and payment.
1930 · cybercrime.gov.in
Also seen as
- Data entry job with a "security deposit"
- Cheque for a large order with a request to refund part
- Paid "test" before a translation or writing job