Urgent Help to Recover from a Devastating Employment Scam

I am a recent victim of cheque fraud. I’m currently unemployed and getting by on part-time work, though my hours are steadily decreasing. I’m also an international student at UBC Vancouver, coming from a less-than-ideal family background. I was proud of managing on my own—pulling myself up by the bootstraps and supporting myself through my own efforts.

While working part-time, I submitted 174 job applications and completed 20 interviews. My family was critical of my decision to stay in Canada, berating me for staying when I still hadn’t secured stable employment. But eventually, I received an offer.

On August 12, 2026, I was offered a position as a Virtual HR Assistant with a company called the “BTY Group.” I researched the company and its current employees on LinkedIn—they seemed legitimate. I shared the news with friends and was genuinely excited. It finally felt like things were turning around—that my hard work had paid off and I could start building a career.

The company conducted a virtual interview process. After I passed, they sent me a contract. I reviewed it carefully, looking for red flags. I believed I had done my due diligence in verifying the role’s legitimacy. With my financial situation becoming more desperate and part-time hours being cut, this felt like my only chance to recover and remain in Canada.

As part of the onboarding process, the company sent me a cheque for $3,500 to purchase home office equipment. I took every precaution: I deposited the cheque, waited for the funds to clear, and even visited my bank in person. A teller confirmed that the cheque had cleared and the funds were available. Trusting my bank’s verification, I followed instructions and transferred the funds.

Days later, the worst happened. I received a notification that my account balance was now negative. When I logged in, I saw that the cheque had bounced. The $3,500 was abruptly withdrawn, plunging my account into debt I can’t afford and don’t know how to handle.

I’ve done everything I can. I followed my bank’s advice, filed a police report, and reported the scam to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. Still, I was told that due to the nature of the scam, it was unlikely the stolen funds would be recovered. I also scheduled a meeting with a CIBC advisor, but the appointment was cancelled without any explanation.

I’ve never asked for help like this before. For most of my young adult life, I’ve done everything I could to prove to others—and to myself—that I could make it on my own. But now, I’m facing an impossible situation. As an unemployed international student with an expiring work permit, I’m not eligible for loans or credit. With rent and utilities due soon, I’m living in a state of constant anxiety, standing on the edge of a financial cliff with no safety net. And after thinking all of this through, it is impossible to make this out on my own.

With your help, I can cover my rent, groceries, and basic living expenses. Every dollar brings me closer to stability and safety.

You might think, “I’d never fall for something like this.” Please know that I thought the same. But these scammers are experts who prey on people at their most vulnerable. I hope they never target you in your hardest moment.

If you can’t donate, thank you for taking the time to read my story. If you can, please consider sharing it. Every bit of support helps me get back on my feet.