Fake job ad

A U. of I. student reported that he had received an email advertising a job opportunity with a university professor. The email directed the student to text an unknown number, which he did. The scammer asked the student to send $200 via electronic transfer of the student’s own money to a third party, promising that the student would be reimbursed. The student was then sent a check for $1,875 via email and asked to deposit the money, at which point he became suspicious and ended communication with the scammer.