How to Spot and Avoid Fake Developer Scammers (Before They Drain Your Wallet and Sanity!)

So you need a developer. Great! Maybe it’s for your shiny new website, that mobile app idea you’ve been nursing since 2017, or just someone to install a plugin without nuking your server. But wait! Not everyone with "full stack wizard" in their bio is legit. There are fake developers out there, and they’re real good at pretending to be real.

Don’t panic though. I'm here, armed with my keyboard and a mildly judgmental tone, to walk you through how to spot these digital tricksters and keep your wallet (and sanity) intact.

1. No Online Trail, No Bueno

A real developer leaves a trail of code-y breadcrumbs across the internet. You should be able to find at least something.

Red flags:

• No LinkedIn, GitHub, Behance, or portfolio

• A LinkedIn profile with two connections and a profile pic that looks like it came from a stock photo site

• No client testimonials, no project screenshots, not even a "hello world"

What to do: Google them. Seriously. Type their name, email, or username into the search bar and see what comes up. No trace? Big nope.

2. They Only Speak in Buzzwords

You ask, "Can you build a blog for my candle shop?" They respond with:

"Absolutely, we’ll integrate an AI-enhanced, blockchain-enabled microservice architecture for optimal synergy and deliver it via Web3."

Um. I just wanted a blog.

Red flags:

• They avoid giving clear answers

• They throw tech terms around like confetti at a startup launch

• They say yes to everything with zero hesitation

What to do: Ask them to explain things in plain English. If they can’t break it down for you, it’s either fluff or they have no idea what they're doing.

3. No Reviews or Fake Reviews

Ah, the magical world of reviews. If someone has worked with real clients, there should be at least a few thank-you notes floating around.

Red flags:

• No reviews at all, even on freelancing platforms

• Reviews that sound copy-pasted: "He is very good developer. I am happy."

• All reviews posted within 2 days of each other (clearly by their 27 burner accounts)

What to do: Look at the reviewer's profile. Are they real? Do they have a history of giving feedback? Trust your gut — if it smells fake, it probably is.

4. They Ask for Full Payment Upfront

LOL, no. Never. Not even your cousin should get full payment before doing any work.

Red flags:

• They demand full payment before starting

• They give excuses like "my PayPal is broken" and ask for crypto

• They guilt-trip you into skipping a contract

What to do: Use escrow when possible. Break the project into milestones. If they get cagey about that, run.

5. They Can’t Show You a Portfolio

If someone says they’re a developer but can’t show you even one working site? That’s like a chef who says they’ve cooked for years but has never boiled water.

Red flags:

• Portfolio links that are dead or redirect to unrelated sites

• Excuses like "all my work is under NDA" (some, sure. But all?)

What to do: Ask to see a GitHub repo, a demo login, screenshots, anything. Bonus points if you can contact a past client.

6. Fake Profiles with Stolen Photos

This one's creepy. Some scammers straight-up steal other people’s photos to use on their fake profiles.

Red flags:

• Supermodel profile picture? Probably fake.

• Reverse image search says it's from a modeling site or a random blog

What to do: Use Google Reverse Image Search. Upload their profile pic and see if it shows up somewhere else. If it does? Scammy scam alert.

7. Too Cheap to Be True

"I will build your ecommerce empire for $5 in 2 hours." Uh-huh. And I’ll build you a rocket ship with a glue stick.

Red flags:

• Super low pricing

• Insanely fast delivery promises

What to do: Know the average cost of what you’re asking. Good developers don’t work for peanuts. If it’s too cheap, you’re either getting scammed or they’re outsourcing your project to a hamster on a treadmill.

8. Their Communication Is... Weird

Scammers often use broken English or overly formal robotic talk. Or they reply at lightning speed no matter the time (are they even human?).

Red flags:

• Grammar so bad it makes your eyes twitch

• Generic replies that don’t really answer your questions

• Love-bombing you with compliments ("dear respected sir madam I do perfect work always")

What to do: Set up a quick call or video chat. Most scammers will vanish at this stage.

Final Tips to Keep Your Coins Safe

• Always use contracts. Even a simple one.

• Split payments. Pay as you go.

• Vet through platforms. Upwork, Freelancer, and Fiverr have some protections.

• Trust your gut. If it feels fishy, it probably is.

And there you go. If a developer seems fake, don't be afraid to ask questions, ask for proof, or walk away. Scammers thrive on silence and quick hires.

You're smarter than that. Now go forth and hire wisely, my digital friend.