This is the story of how I almost got lured into a professional scam that could have compromised my career. It all started with a LinkedIn connection request from a seemingly reputable executive recruiter. Their profile was impressive—years of experience, glowing recommendations, and connections with several industry leaders. They reached out to me with an enticing job offer, claiming that they had the perfect role for someone with my skills. The job sounded incredible—great pay, flexible hours, and the opportunity to work with a prestigious company. But there was a catch.