My Scam Story by Muhammad Ibrahim, Ghostwriter and LinkedIn Brand Designer

“Back when I started my journey as a content writer, I was always looking for new projects. I wanted to learn, grow, and of course, earn. One day, I came across a client who seemed very genuine. He said he needed a writer for a big project, around 40,000 words on different topics. We had a detailed discussion, and he promised to pay me 2,000 dollars once the full project was completed.

At that time, this offer felt like a dream. I was excited and nervous at the same time. I knew it would be a challenge, but I was ready to give it my all. For the next seven days, I worked non-stop. I stayed up late nights, skipped plans with friends, and gave my full focus to this one project.

I did deep research, wrote every piece with care, edited everything properly, and made sure the client’s requirements were followed. After a full week of hard work, I finally submitted the entire project. I was tired, but also proud of what I had done. I felt like I had finally taken a big step forward in my freelance journey.

But things took a shocking turn.

I messaged the client and asked about the payment. His reply? "No payment." Just two words. No reason. No explanation. And after that, he blocked me.

I was in complete shock. I couldn’t believe what just happened. A whole week of effort, 40,000 words written, and not a single dollar received. I felt hurt, angry, and disappointed. It wasn’t just about the money. It was about the trust that was broken. It was the realization that some people simply don’t care about your hard work.

It took me some time to move on from it. But this experience taught me an important lesson. Never start a big project without taking an advance payment. No matter how nice the client sounds, protect yourself first.

Now, I always ask for at least 30 to 50 percent upfront. That one scam hurt me, but it also made me smarter and more careful. If you’re new to freelancing, I hope my story helps you avoid the same mistake. Always value your time and never work for free.”