The Coconut Creek Police Department is warning residents to be on the lookout for a work-from-home scam that recently targeted a 25-year-old man in the city.
According to a scam alert issued Tuesday, the man believed he had been hired for a remote job through an online listing. As part of the supposed onboarding process, the company sent him a check and instructed him to cash it.
Shortly after, the scammers claimed there had been “mix-ups” and directed him to wire portions of the money to different destinations, police said.
The man complied—but soon realized he had been scammed, according to investigators. His bank also flagged the activity, confirming that the check was fraudulent and he had unknowingly sent real money to criminals.
Police say the incident is a classic example of an advance-payment scam and are urging job seekers to exercise caution.
“Upfront payments are always a big sign you’re dealing with a scam artist,” the department said in Tuesday’s alert. “Keep that in mind if you’re work-from-home job hunting.”
Work-from-home scams have surged nationwide in recent years, particularly since the pandemic popularized remote work. Fraudsters often impersonate legitimate businesses or create fake job postings to lure unsuspecting victims.
Coconut Creek Police advise anyone who suspects a scam to avoid further contact with the sender and report the incident to authorities immediately.
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