LinkedIn, time to get your shit together and take fake accounts seriously.
In recent months, LinkedIn has seen a massive increase in the number of "pig butchering" scams, defined as slow-play scams where a random account (inevitably from an attractive man or woman) reaches out, forms a relationship with an unsuspecting mark and eventually cons them out of, often, significant amounts of money.
The initial outreach is almost always innocuous, but if you've seen a handful, you know exactly what it looks like, in the same way that you know what a Nigerian 419 scam or fake virus warning looks like.
I've been reporting these accounts as scams every time I receive a message and every single time, LinkedIn replies that the message doesn't go against their Professional Community Policies.
No shit. They're meant to look tame. But look at this message and tell me it's not a scammer, especially when tied to a profile (which I won't link to) that *screams* fake profile.
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"I hope to establish a good relationship with you, because I believe that knowledge comes from life, and any business relationship starts from friendship. I know you are very busy at work and rarely come to Linkedin to chat. So I suggest to leave the contact information for the other party, I often use Whatsapp and Skype to communicate, if this is suitable for you, please leave the way to add you, I will add you when I am free!
I wish you a wonderful day!"
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I can deal with all the inbound offers for recruiting and sales support and dev services. It's not well-targeted, but it's legit.
I can deal with dozens of strangers trying to connect with me each week to inflate their reach. It's bullshit, but it serves a purpose.
If LinkedIn becomes a platform that tacitly endorses scams because a lack of thoughtful policing, the community at large suffers and we'll eventually leave.