Public scam warning
Pattern: polished executive-search style impersonation
This page helps you verify warning signs quickly, avoid sharing sensitive information, and report concerns safely.
Stop contact
Save evidence
Do not share personal or financial details
Scam warning signs
Use this checklist to quickly verify concerns. If several signs match what you were sent, stop engagement, preserve evidence, and report it.
The message promises a board seat, executive role, or partnership opportunity that feels unusually fast or flattering.
The sender creates urgency so you act before verifying details or asking questions.
You are asked to share identification, financial details, passwords, or private business information early in the exchange.
The outreach moves toward fees, reimbursements, crypto, gift cards, or other non-standard payment requests.
The sender pushes the conversation into private messaging, off-platform apps, or inconsistent email addresses.
Names, claims, dates, or company details become vague, inconsistent, or hard to verify.
Process overview
A common pattern is flattery first, then fast trust-building, then requests that should not happen in legitimate recruitment.
You receive a polished message about a high-status board, executive, investment, or partnership opportunity.
The sender pushes to continue off-platform and uses impressive titles or references to reduce your caution.
You are asked for identity files, payment, banking details, or confidential information not required this early.
Follow-ups demand immediate action, discourage independent verification, or become defensive when challenged.
Next step: use the safety checklist before taking any further action. Go to Protect Yourself
If this outreach feels suspicious, use this checklist to pause safely, protect your information, and document what happened.
Do not continue the conversation until you can independently verify who is contacting you.
Avoid sending identification, banking information, passwords, or confidential business materials.
Keep emails, message screenshots, attachments, and any other details that show what happened.
Compare the message against the warning signs on this page before taking any further action.
Share the key details through the reporting action so the information can be reviewed and forwarded appropriately.
If these warning signs match your situation, stop engaging and send a report so the pattern can be reviewed.
Report this scamIf you are unsure whether your situation is serious enough, these quick answers explain exactly what to do next.
