9 days back I awarded my project to a freelancer from India and told me add him on Skype so that we can discuss about project. 5 days passed he did some of the job and then asking me to send him 50% of the total money through bank transfer as he need it urgent and he needs to pay home rent. I said I cannot pay you via bank transfer but I can release initial milestone. He agreed and once he received the payment the other day he stopped responding. I contacted freelancer support they told me they "We can actually reverse the Milestone Payment as long as we have the approval of the other party. Once we have the ticket from them, we will then proceed with the request." Now what should I so the guy don't respond to any of my messages.
As I am from India I felt very bad that people like this guy are deteriorating the image of the country and the genuine guys will not get the job any more. You can contact the support team for this problem via live chat. In addition you can read the guidelines provided by the site. You can get some help there. But do not release your money ever until your work is not done. Sad to say but Indians are big scammers. I have been scammed by a PTC.
There are unethical people from *every* country. Enlightened people know that there are as many good people from your country percentage wise, as there are from any other. No need to feel bad.
Yes, and I am wary of everyone when it comes to business. But it doesn't matter where they are from. Human nature is what it is. (trust but verify)
My #1 rule is I never release anything or provide any upfront payment until the job is complete. I dont care if they wont do the job, find someone else to do it! Do you pay someone to fix your car first or when its complete? In how many professions do you pay someone something upfront without a product!
He did the half of the job and showed the demo to me and I was satisfied with it. But he said he need to pay home rent to continue this work so I paid him half of the total. I thought if I will release the payment he will do my job fast and he looked serious to me. It was my first time and the project need to been done in urgent so I released the payment.
It looks like you are from India, too. Sorry, but you are going to need to learn that your own countryman will scam you too. Regardless of country, such people will steal dinner from their own grandmother. This individual was pathetic and the idiotic sob story is a huge warning flag. In the future, you know to ditch such morons immediately (stick with people who remain professional). Go for people with a good reputation, good references, rather than the lowest price. Hopefully you can get your money back. Good luck.
I would be careful because freelancer itself is a bit of a shiesty company and does not really care about what happens where as long as they get there money. They are some of the worst in the freelance business as far as customer care and service goes.
I would say "your rent is not my concern" in fact, I would say that alone is very inappropriate to bring up in a business setting. This has also happened to me once..."I am out of money, and I need to get food for my baby...so can you pay me now, and we can work this out later?" my reply was no! His financial concerns are not my business. If he doesnt have the money, then maybe coding is not the right line of work for him; get another job....
Yes, you are right as this was my first time into freelancer so I was not aware of their triks. Today that guy send a message to me " My uncle died in accident so". I was like come on man this was the most sickest reason I have ever heard. Actually freelancer suspended his account so he has no way to fool me now except accepting he cheated on me.