I've learned this lesson. Next time I do business with strangers, I'll not send any payment until the work is completed or I'll do escrow with very trusted members
If you go through my posts over the years, this is exactly what I keep reminding members here to do, hoping it might prevent them from being scammed.
Use a trusted escrow for all transactions with strangers. If escrow is refused, you have your first red flag which should be an indicator of the deal potentially going south. Scammers hate escrow. They know they can't steal if a middle man holds the coins.
Refusing the 3k offer was a good move. It's a scam within a scam.
