Fraud Alert ! Scammers are on the Prowl.

So, how're you all doing writers?

How about unmasking a scammer to you while many of you are looking for mentors in this industry?

Well, let's not unmask our dude today, but, let's see how can we avoid them. I know you are already aware, but, just checking on you if your firewall is still in action as this pandemic is testing our patience.

So, this Dude announced a piece of very exciting news in a Skype writing group I'm in for years. Quite promising and seemed to be fair enough at this time.

He wants to train up five lucky writers from the group who are looking for skill development.

I couldn't afford to miss such an opportunity as I looking for a mentor to brush up on my skills and addressing gaps.

So, I immediately knocked him in a private message.

Our dude is way too generous and responded almost instantly. He is very time-sensitive indeed. Without further ado, he asked me to sit for a quick test.

Wow, it's happening, I thought.

He sent me a list of 4 questions related to some heater, and now I know he is connected to affiliated marketing which is not of my interest at this moment.

But he made a mistake already, not informing me about what to be done and how it will be done; the 'training' thing.

So, my judgemental attitude automatically gets switched on.

I asked him directly to show me his plan for the training session.

And guess what, he jumped in with a "paid" course and declared proudly that he will teach me 30% of it for FREE!

Now I'm confident of what I'm dealing with. Our dude is a scam! He loves to use the emotion of the group and exploit some unlucky souls.

But without mentioning that in the first place, I went through his paid course outline and found it is for the beginners who are yet to start their venture into the writing world.

Yes, our dude is that pathetic and thinks he can sell his course to anyone.

Oh, I forgot to mention, he has jobs to offer who are willing to enroll in his program and somehow succeed in exhibiting qualifications to pass the tests.

Well, at least he has jobs to offer. Thank you, dude.

Anyway, now I began to question him. I repeatedly asked him to clarify his purpose with the training and what to expect from the program.

He took a break, maybe something popped up on his mind. And finally, he told me to shut this off as I'm way too smart for his program.

Yep, I'm smart enough to identify scammers (not all the time though).

So, beware writers. Hundreds of them are on patrol looking for easy prey and being too much exhausted and desperate due to this tough situation, we might fall into their trap anytime.

Ask questions before you join any program of any sort. Questioning will unmask the scammers and help you stay productive all the time.

Don't the temptation cloud your judgment by any chance.

Let others know, spread awareness, let your hard work and passion not go into vain.

Happy writing.