PLEASE ADVISE! My first client on Mable proposed a fraud scheme to me.
Hi all. I'm sorry, but this is going to be a long one. I'm writing this out to ask for advice, and because it is weighing on me. I hope you will all be patient, because I'm very disappointed in how my first social work experience in a while has ended up and I really need some advice.
Thank you.
I have struggled to find work, and yesterday, I had my first shift using the Mable App. It went very well, did some gardening for six hours. A few hours into the shift, the client asked me to come up to his apartment once I had finished, and said he wanted to make money. He said he had over $100 000 dollars, and "that you have access to it," very clearly meaning me. I don't recall the exact amount he stated, and I didn't understand what he meant. I felt uncomfortable, but I was desperate for work so I had to finish the job, I couldn't leave. Once I had finished the jobs, the client then asked me to come in to his flat, and proposed what I can only describe as a fraud scheme. He would approve the legitimate work that I had done. But, he stated that, some time in the next few days he would offer me other jobs on the app, the first one being next Friday, from 8AM-2PM, at $60/hr (So far that has not happened, to be clear). He stated that I would not come to his address and do any work. So the job would exist on paper, but never take place, and once I received money from the invoice, I would withdraw half of the money in cash and give it to him in person. He referred to this as "splitting it 50-50." He had it all written down in a notebook, with my name at the top of the page, and the start day, hourly rate and so forth. He was slightly disappointed to find out I didn't drive at all (although that is in my account profile), as he was planning to charge for kms as well. I remember some distinct features about this; for example, after my name, he had put an exclamation mark with a tiny circle instead of a dot. I found that odd for what I knew was clearly the blueprint of fraud. Before he even ran me through the whole plan, I had my doubts. I was tired and wanted to leave, so I acted as though I'd like to speak about it over the phone or come back another day. The only reason I stayed was because, as I said, I've had trouble finding work and I was hopeful he might have other, legitimate work for me. Once I was in the apartment, I just decided to act interested until I could leave. Eventually, I said I'd be open to it, just so that I could leave as soon as I could.
I'm concerned about how to proceed, as the client lists several mental health issues and may be making a decision or proposal without fully considering the ramifications of his actions. To propose this to me, on my first job, after only meeting him once before, seems like the behaviour of a person not considering the risks or results of their actions.
I'm going to speak to Mable's customer helpline on Monday morning. I have no interest in taking part in fraudulent behaviour. Does anyone have any further advice on how to proceed please?
