Need to pay for KYC verification?scam?

[1fd897b5]

Hello Guys.

I'm new to upwork and could get one simple task.

Client sent me a message you should contact the link of telegram this lady will tell you what she wants me to do.

So I send a message to her account in telegram.

She asked me my information. Name, Gender, Age, and Country.

The pay of the task she offered me was higher than written on Upwork.

After submitting the task, She sent me the screenshot of cash transfer to my account.

And then she says "You need to pay for KYC verification fee for 260＄ to get the payment"

I was doughtful need to pay for client to get payment. Is me caught a scam?
I haven"t paid and stopped to contact with her.
Please anyone kindly gives an idea. 

[data_divas · Accepted solution]

Yes it's a scam, never communicate off of Upwork until you have a contract in place on Upwork.

[1fd897b5]

Thank you for clearing my mind.
I'm completely new to this freelance website so I'm afraid to figure out what the proper client looks like except of scams...

Do they send a contract on upwork messaging board normally?

[the-right-writer]

Before you are scammed, please go to this post and read it, and then follow every link, and read those, too. Don't apply for jobs because you don't understand how Upwork functions. Pay special attention to the Terms of Service, the Red Flags for Scams, and how to set up contracts. If you don't educate yourself, you will be scammed.