CAVEAT: We have permission from both the parent and the teen to share this story, but we have redacted any names and other particulars to protect their privacy. We should also note that our services to this parent and teen were done pro bono. Last night, a concerned parent reached out to us, driven by a protective instinct, as she sensed potential danger involving their older teenage child. This older teen has achieved significant success as a TikTok and Instagram influencer, generating substantial income through their online presence. After reviewing the teens social media, we were super impressed with the talent of this teen, and we mean super impressed! In early December, the teen received an online message from an individual, whom we’ll refer to as Jim. Jim claimed to represent a multi-billion-dollar product company, which he we was a significant shareholder in. Jim further expressed admiration for the teen’s social media content and proposed a collaboration. As the weeks unfolded, Jim presented the teen influencer with seemingly authentic documentation about their identity and the company they purportedly represented, creating an appearance of legitimacy that could convince most people of the genuineness of this opportunity. Jim verified that he intended to send a representative from his company to Canada for a face-to-face meeting with the teen. Subsequently, both would then travel to California to facilitate a professional photoshoot spanning over three days. To bolster his assurances, Jim shared authentic screen captures, not fabricated ones, of the confirmed booking at a five-star hotel in Los Angeles where the photoshoot was to take place. Additionally, it’s noteworthy that the teen engaged in phone conversations with Jim over the course of several days, during which they posed numerous questions to validate the legitimacy of the offer, given they were somewhat suspicious to start with, but became more comfortable as discussions continued. Jim was able to effectively answer all questions that we asked by the teen. At this juncture, the concerned parent reached out to us, seeking assistance. Despite lacking concrete evidence, their visceral concern persisted, prompting them to seek help amid the unsettling suspicion that something untoward was going to transpire. Based on the information provided by the parent, we initiated an online investigation. Despite confirming the legitimacy of the company with the given details, our scrutiny revealed a notable absence of any mention on their website or other social media platforms regarding the recruitment of human models for brand promotion. A thorough examination of their official website, Instagram, and YouTube revealed a conspicuous absence of male models showcasing their products. Moreover, in certain promotional materials, the male models featured were consistently in the 40+ age range, aligning with the expected clientele for their products. Remarkably, there was no promotional content depicting teens or young adults, except for a campaign approximately seven years ago. There were some noteworthy exceptions which included renowned sports, music, and Hollywood celebrities who had been showcased wearing the company’s products. We also confirmed with one of our extended family members, who was in the modelling profession internationally, that a reputable multi-million-dollar company typically engages exclusively with professional and well-established modeling agencies for their promotional materials. Additionally, we confirmed that if their son were to pursue modeling opportunities in the USA and receive any form of financial compensation, it would necessitate obtaining an American working visa first. Something this teen did not have, nor did Jim mention that the teen would need before travelling to the US. In light of the above-mentioned concerns, we, too, began to harbor suspicions and Jim’s true identity, and decided to reach out to the parent this morning seeking permission to speak directly with their teenager to get more information about Jim. The parent revealed that they had informed their child about our involvement, which understandably sparked some displeasure with their teen. Despite this, the parent agreed to facilitate the conversation with their teen. During our discussion with the teenager, they acknowledged the potential risks and, in light of our findings so far that we shared with them, expressed a willingness to provide any information that could further aid in our investigation. Consequently, the teen shared the following details that we asked for: • Jim’s Instagram account  • Jim’s cellphone number  • Two email addresses associated with Jim  • Screen captures of all email exchanges with Jim  • Hotel booking confirmation receipts for Los Angeles With this new information we dug back into our investigation and here’s what we learned: Based on this new information, we once again reached out to the parent and engaged in a conversation with both them and their child. During this discussion, we conveyed our informed belief that the accumulated evidence we had uncovered strongly suggested the individual in question was not authentic, raising concerns of a potential setup, likely for a financial crime targeting the teenager. In light of this, our recommendation was to cease all communication with Jim and take proactive measures such as blocking and deleting him on all the teen’s social media platforms. Once again, it’s crucial to underscore the proficiency of this fraudster in their deceptive tactics that were very well executed. We believe that even adults could have fallen victim to Jim’s pretext given their skill and approach. Despite the teenager conducting their own due diligence, it highlights that even the most knowledgeable individual can still be susceptible to these online criminals. For all the parents, caregivers, and guardians who follow us, this serves as a poignant illustration of the importance of trusting your instincts. When your inner voice signals danger, it’s essential to pay heed — a survival instinct ingrained in us through millions of years of evolution. Even if your child may not align with your perspectives and decisions, being their best parent, rather than their best friend, is paramount. At times, taking actions and making decisions that may not be well-received by your children is part and parcel of fulfilling the role of a parent. That is what the parent … Continue reading A Mother Acts to Unmask a Potential Scam That Targeted Their Teen