Linkedin Scammer David Terry
This case study is based on a Linkedin message sent to me:
David Terry 2:47 PM
I’ve been asked to reach out to you in regards to paid board and advisory positions. Your back ground matches a few positions that may be a great fit. We would love to have a discussion with you. Please schedule a call at your earliest convenience. See calendar below.
Scam Assessment: High Risk of Scam
This message is a classic example of a job scam, specifically a fake executive recruitment fraud targeting professionals with promises of paid board or advisory positions. Unsolicited offers like this are highly suspicious—legitimate opportunities for high-paying board seats (often $50K–$250K+ per year) don’t come via cold DMs from unverified sources. Do not engage, click the link, or share any personal information.
Key Red Flags
- Unsolicited High-Value Offer: It pitches “paid board and advisory positions” claiming your “background matches” without any prior context, specifics on the roles, company, or compensation. Real recruiters build on networks, not flattery in random messages.
- Urgency and Vagueness: Phrases like “reach out… at your earliest convenience” create pressure for quick action while providing zero details.
- Suspicious Sender: “David Terry” is a generic name with no verifiable profile or company affiliation mentioned. Searches often reveal no legit matches.
- Dodgy Calendly Link: The URL https://calendly.com/boardsi/board-seat-inquiry-l11?month=2025-09 uses a legitimate scheduling tool abused by scammers. “Boardsi” suggests a fake “Board SI” entity (no real company site like boardsi.com exists), and the pre-set date to September 2025 is oddly mismatched with the “urgent” tone. It leads to data harvesting or worse.
How the Scam Typically Unfolds
Scammers hook with ego-boosting promises, use the Calendly call to extract your resume and details, then demand fees or financial info for fake “onboarding” or “checks”—before disappearing. This ties into identity theft or payment scams like pig-butchering.
Supporting Evidence
FTC and BBB data show “board position” scams exploding 300%+ in 2023–2024, with victims losing $10K–$100K. The domain is a generic Calendly subdomain with no tied business, matching reports on Reddit (r/Scams), LinkedIn, and security sites like Krebs on Security.
What to Do Next
- Block and report the sender on the platform (e.g., LinkedIn abuse team, FTC.gov, IC3.gov).
- Verify independently: Google the sender + “scam” for confirmations.
- Protect yourself: Use 2FA, scan devices, monitor credit via HaveIBeenPwned.com.
This is not legitimate—treat it as a scam with 100% certainty. If you’ve already interacted, secure your accounts immediately.
Rae Stonehouse is a Canadian author, publisher, and advocate committed to exposing publishing scams and supporting writers through education and community. As the creator of Authors Against Scammers, Rae provides clear, practical guidance to help writers protect their work, their money, and their peace of mind. His books and resources reflect a lifelong dedication to empowering others through knowledge, clarity, and real‑world experience.
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