In a recent LinkedIn post, Hung Lee discusses a sophisticated scam that is impersonating him to defraud job seekers. Lee felt compelled to write about the issue, despite his reluctance to engage with such topics, to raise awareness and protect individuals from falling victim.
Lee outlines the anatomy of the scam, which leverages his identity, image, and LinkedIn profile details to appear legitimate. The perpetrators create fake communication channels and pose as recruiters for prestigious brands, ultimately directing victims to a fake “CV guru” for paid consultations.
“I REALLY DID NOT WANT TO WRITE THIS ESSAY… ..this one is about a scam, which involves the use of my name, image, Linkedin profile, photo and even my phone number (!). So I’m writing this to explain and raise awareness.”
The scam appears to target individuals who signal their availability for new roles, particularly those using the “Open to Work” frame on LinkedIn. According to Hung Lee, the initial contact often looks deceptively real, even using an email address that closely mimics his own and includes his picture, website, and LinkedIn URL in the signature.
The Mechanics of the Impersonation Scam
Hung Lee details how the scam unfolds in distinct stages. First, the scammers adopt his persona, using his professional image and details to establish credibility. They then reach out to potential victims, often claiming to hire for well-known companies.
The crucial step, as Hung Lee explains, involves directing the job seeker to a supposed “CV guru” for a paid consultation. This is the point where most individuals, he believes, begin to suspect something is amiss.
“I think most people sniff out the scam at this stage.”
Lee notes that some individuals have correctly identified the scam and reached out to him for verification, a practice he commends. However, he expresses concern about those who may have been successfully victimized, as their experiences are not visible to him.
Broader Implications and Shared Tactics
Hung Lee points out that this is not an isolated incident, as several of his peers with prominent LinkedIn profiles have also had their identities misused in similar scams. He names Glen Cathey, Stacy Donovan, Zapar, and Kevin Wheeler as individuals who have experienced comparable impersonations.
In Hung Lee’s view, while these prominent figures are used as tools to facilitate the scam, they are not the primary victims. The true targets are the job seekers who are deceived into paying for fraudulent services.
“To be clear, we are not the primary victims – really just props to support the scam – but something to keep an eye if you receive a weird, unexpected email from sender pretending to us!”
Lee emphasizes the importance of vigilance for anyone receiving unusual or unexpected communications that appear to be from known industry figures. He urges reposting his message to help spread awareness.
Industry Response and Fraud Prevention
The post also includes a note of thanks to Greenhouse Software, specifically mentioning CEO Daniel Chait, for their work in elevating the conversation around fraud in the job search and recruitment process. Hung Lee highlights Greenhouse’s innovations, such as My Greenhouse, as examples of environments that could lead to more secure candidate and opportunity discovery.
As Hung Lee concludes, the intent behind his post is to inform and equip the community with knowledge to better identify and avoid such fraudulent schemes. He stresses that proactive communication and shared awareness are key defenses against these evolving scams.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Hung Lee on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on June 22, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →