Ask HN: Is Upwork contracting through other people's accounts a thing?
I just received a rather odd email from a Chinese developer, asking me to provide access to my Upwork account in exchange for a slice of their Upwork commissions. Seems insane but I wondered, is this actually something that happens or just a scam?
Happy new year! Hope you have had great holidays. I wish you the best luck in your business this year. I am Cui and I am from China. I saw you on GitHub.
As a senior full-stack developer who had 8+ years of large experience, I have worked in my local company for a long time. But I want to work as a freelancer on Upwork using the European Upwork account now.
- Why do I need to use an European Upwork account?
As you know, Europeans are easier than Asians to work on Upwork and to get a high hourly rate. Really it is so difficult to get good jobs using the Asian Upwork account on Upwork. So I don't use a China(Asian) account and want to only use the European Upwork account.
- How can I use your Upwork account?
If you have an Upwork account and don't use it, I wanna use it on your local computer via Teamviewer or Anydesk. If not, you can create a new account for me. Also, I think if you use your Upwork account part-time, you can use it with me. Only I will use your account while you don't use your account.
- How can we transfer money with each other?
You can add Payoneer or Paypal to your Upwork account and If I earn some money using your Upwork account, we can withdraw it via your Payoneer or Paypal. And then you can get 10% of the money from there and you can send the rest of the money to my Paypal or Payoneer.
- Why do I need access to your locale via Teamviewer or Anydesk?
If I use your Upwork account using a virtual server such as VPN, VPS, AWS, Upwork detects the proxy server IP and blocks your account. So If I can use your account, I must absolutely use it on your local computer via Teamviewer or Anydesk. If you worry about your personal secret data on your computer, you can set a VM on your computer and I can use your account on the VM of your computer.
- You don't have to worry about me stealing and have your Upwork account. Why?
Really there isn't a need to steal and have your Upwork account without you. If I use your account on another location using VPN, VPS, your account will be blocked because of an IP location change. Also, Upwork requires video chat sometimes, I can't do it without your help.
If you can collaborate with me, please feel free to contact me. "Cui's" social engineering skills are more valuable than anything they might do on Upwork. Well I'd say this is rather clumsy attempt with no real upside on my side. 10% of imaginary profits for giving access to my computer, IP, Upwork—not even taking into consideration the illegality—with zero guarantees I'll see a single cent. I would bet on money laundering. yes its been going on for years and is against their ToS