Hiring Scam Alert: Fake Dev with Fake ID & Masked Video

We recently had a hiring experience at Bright Vessel that underscores how dangerous and sophisticated remote hiring scams have become, especially when dealing with enterprise clients and technical roles.

Let me walk you through it.

A Candidate That Didn’t Add Up

We were evaluating a full-stack developer applicant who presented himself with a polished résumé, links to live work samples, and a clean-looking Texas driver’s license. The individual went by Jessee James Beecham and submitted a PDF ID with the following details:

• Name: Jessee James Beecham
• DOB: 03/20/2003
• Address: 5224 County Rd 417, Cleburne, TX 76031
• License Number: 46665568
• Expiration: 04/29/2034

On the surface, everything seemed passable. But during the video interview, two things triggered immediate concern:

• The candidate’s face appeared glitched, with signs of augmented layering or masking.
• He used ManyCam, a known webcam spoofing tool, and his profile was labeled “Unverified.”

We were dealing with a possible fake.

Things Unraveled Quickly

The LinkedIn Profile

• The LinkedIn profile, still live at the time of writing, had no credible digital history before 2024.
• When we attempted to report the profile, the user blocked us first.

The Address on the ID

• We ran the address (5224 County Rd 417) through the Johnson County Appraisal District (JCAD).
• The parcel exists but is registered as a mobile home owned by Serrano Elias, with no link to the applicant or the business name on the resume.
• No “Jessee Beecham” is listed in property, tax, or voter registration databases tied to that location.

Background Check Tools Fall Short

We tried running a background check using Veremark, but their system requires candidate interaction to begin verification, which is ineffective in a fraud scenario.

Worse, their chatbot support admitted no real team member was available and offered no path forward without the subject’s cooperation.

We requested a refund and immediately moved to a different screening process.

The ID? Almost Certainly Fake.

Between:

• A name/address mismatch,
• No traceable state or property linkage,
• And the use of video masking tech,

…it’s reasonable to conclude the Texas driver’s license provided was not authentic.

We do not make this claim lightly. However, based on the evidence and the individual's failure to validate his identity when asked, we assume that the documentation was falsified, and the candidate could not be verified.

This is shared for educational and security awareness purposes only.

What You Can Learn From This

This isn’t a one-off. These scams are becoming more common, especially in dev, data, and marketing roles. Here’s how to protect your company:

Use Direct-Run Background Check Tools

Don’t rely solely on platforms that require candidate cooperation. Try tools like:

• Certn Lite – Run criminal/ID checks manually
• Sumsub – Upload ID and face match
• Persona – Run identity verification without live interaction

Verify Social and Technical Footprints

• Search GitHub history, Stack Overflow posts, or commit logs.
• Ask specific project questions.
• Check if the name has any digital history that makes sense (school, job, anything).

Watch for Webcam Masking Tools

If someone’s face glitches or they use tools like ManyCam, OBS, Snap Camera, etc., end the interview. No legitimate applicant uses facial filters for job interviews.

Final Word (and Legal Note)

At Bright Vessel, we’ve implemented a multi-layer fraud screening process before technical interviews begin. This process protects not just us but also our clients, our team, and the integrity of our work.

⚠️ This post is shared assuming that the information and documentation we received were invalid and the individual failed to verify their identity upon request. No definitive accusation is made. This accounts for our due diligence process to protect our company from fraud and inform other business owners.

If you’re hiring remotely, especially in tech, vet everyone, check everything, and trust your gut.