Heartbroken After Being Scammed.

[#1]

Hello,

I am new to UpWork and hired someone to complete a website for my non profit charity.

At the time, we had a website, we just weren't happy with where it was hosted and didn't feel it was suitable. The project  was a case of moving the website we had from one platfrom to the other and bringing everything across. There was no redesign etc. 

I hired someone and was told the work would take 7 days. At the point of 7 days, I was told by the freelancer to release the funds and leave a 5 star review.  I explained to the freelancer that I was no comfortable doing this as the work was not complete. 

After this, the freelancer continued to work or so he said. However, nothing was really being done. I would ask for updates only to be shown things barely complete and for everything to be riddled with errors. Every other message from him was him repeatdly asking me to release the funds and that the work wouldn't be completed until I did so.

At the point of 2.5 weeks and after being asked repeatedly for the funds, I made the mistake of releasing them. I had emailed Upwork previously for some advice, but recieved no response from them and had no website due to closing my previous one and having the one he was doing half finished. With this, I felt I had no choice. 

I was also promised by the freelancer that if I released the funds and gave a high review, he would complete the website for me and that was the only way he would. 

Shortly after and after dragging things out for 3.5 weeks I had to stop the project as nothing was being done. I don't even think he had logged into the website after me paying him.

I contacted Upwork and they setup mediation, but the freelancer did not respond once during it. The mediation was closed due to them not responding and I am still left with no website and no return of funds. I have asked Upwork for support and provided them with a good drive folder containing 6 folders with proof of messages on Upwork and on Whatsapp from the freelancer. The messages include him bribing me into releasing the funds early, leaving a 5 star review and sending abusive messages.  I recieved no response nor support from Upwork. 

According to Upwork's terms of services, the freelancer has gone against them especially with asking to release the funds early and asking for a 5 star review which is apprently not allowed. I have reported this, but recieve nothing back. 

I went to the doctor today as this has made me unwell. It has affected our non profit and the people it helps and I am at a loss at what to do. 

[#2]

So you know that will do the mistake, did it... and got scammed. 

I'm sorry to hear that your health has deteriorated. But you did everything yourself understanding the result. What advice do you want? Don't repeat the mistakes and get well.

Hire someone else who will fix errors and complete migration.

Yes, FL violated rules by asking to release the funds early and asking for a 5 star review.

[#3]

Your response is quite rude. 

This person was bribing me and being abusive. He had access to my website and had told me he would get rid of my website if I didn't pay.  The only answer was to send the funds and he would not only complete the website, but hand it over to me. 

[#4]

Hello Jessica,

I am so sorry to hear about the experience you had with your freelancer.  I checked, and I'd like to assure you that we have received your recent message, and the agent handling your concern will be in touch with you shortly to further assist. You may access your support ticket on this page. 

[#5]

Hello,

The case currently open is just refering to the freelancer sending me abuse still. 

It has nothing to do with getting the money back or him bribing me and other clients. I was told you are not interested. 

[#6]

What kind of abuse is it? The answer will depend on what you mean. If the case is open, you need to give Upwork time to look at evidence. Upwork is interested because a scammer freelancer doesn't help them, and they will be removed, but the documentation has to be there.

[#7]

Jeanne,

I sent Upwork a link to my Google Drive with 6 folders. Each contained more than 15 screenshots. 
I have provided them with screenshot images, screen recordings and all the voice notes. 
They do not care. 

[#8]

Sorry for your loss, however freelancers and clients have to follow the rules of the site to be protected.

However, usually if the freelancer doesn't respond to mediation you get an automatic win and funds back.

Might want to go back to your ticket and make that statement.

[#9]

I have and don't get a response. 

I believe this freelancer is doing it to a lot of people and hopefully im not hearing anything because they're working on it. 

[#10]

Try again because Support will always respond to an open ticket.

If the ticket is closed, your response to the ticket will reopen it.

[#11]

If this was a fixed price project and your payment was made less than 30 days ago, you should be able to get your money back if the freelancer doesn't respond. If you're in mediation, state immediately that you want a full refund and that you'll go to arbitration if you don't get it - don't waste any time trying to discuss this with the mediator. Your freelancer obviously intended to scam you, so there's no point in playing nice or pretending that an amicable solution is possible. Also, if you gave the freelancer a good review, tell the mediator that you want to remove it (or open a new support ticket).

[#12]

I dont know if I just got a bad mediator, but he was absolutely no help.

I also did tell him I wanted to remove the 5 stars review I gave him, but I was told it was not an option on Upwork and that it is not possible to remove reviews. 

[#13]

I am so sorry about your experiemce, i am new to Upwork and i am a Virtual Assistant,  i could never do that to anyone, the job must must be completely done. I am so sorry about your experience. Get well soon Jessica

[#14]

Jessica sorry for your unfortunate experience.  But, you have to understand that finding good talent on upwork depends lot on you.  You have to be prepared to play the risk-reward game.  It is entirely possible to find talent which will give you COST EFFECTIVE (not the cheapest) solutions.  Also, Upwork is not a vending machine that you plop few coins and get your perfect sugar drink.  It is very easy to determine fake or below average skills people.  Reputable freelancers charge more, they have reviews from larger gigs.  For example, look at Christine's profile.  Her rate is much more than many people offer at fraction of her rate.  But with her you will get what you pay for.

I see that you had a website redesign project.  You could have broken the project in little chunks or milestones to minimize your exposure.   For example milestone 1, design the landing page, milestone 2 design few interior pages that require some special requirements from you.  Not just a simple text and image pages

[#15]

Prashant, you have made a lot of uneducated comments here.

Please note, that this person I chose had 5 star rating. However,  he had 5 star as he has done what he has done to me, to others.  He starts a project and then says you have to leave a good review and pay him for him to continue the work. This is how he has got these reviews. 

I did not 'plop a few coins in' as if i did, I would not be shocked at this happening. I am shocked as I chose someone who had a 5 star review by many, but these were fake reviews.  I thought I had made an educated decision on the information provided, but this information is fake. 

I have been trying to get Upwork to do something about this before this happens to more people, but they are not interested. 

[#16]

It's so pity and sad that your experience was not good the first time. Wish you good health luckiness, and good spirit to deal with the remaining issues. Just do as Willam TC said, repeat, repeat, be patient.
I trust Upwork team will solve and take action suitable to the scammer. Because the target of UW is an environment platform fair, transparent, and safe.