Trapped in Telegram Online Freelance Job Scam
I recently accepted a graphic design job through a freelance platform, agreeing to create 12 logo designs for $2,500. I was instructed to communicate via Telegram and told payment would be made upon project completion. After delivering the project, I was directed to someone for payment who asked me to open an account with Alpha Finance Bank.
$2,500 was deposited into this account, but when I tried to transfer it to my Yapı Kredi account, a SWIFT code was required. I contacted the person who asked me to open the account and was redirected to the bank. They requested a $5,000 payment, which I made, and the money was transferred to my foreign account.
When I attempted another transfer, a Federal SAC code was requested. After entering the SWIFT code, they demanded an additional $14,000 payment. Trusting them because the money was in the account, I paid, and this amount was also transferred to my foreign account.
However, when I try to transfer the money to my personal account, it returns to the foreign account. I receive an error message, and when I inquire about the reason, I'm told I need to pay $35,000 in intermediary fees, which I refused.
