High riskJob

Personal Chef Job Scam

In this scam, a wealthy 'employer' hires you as a personal chef, sends a cheque for ingredients, equipment, or a deposit larger than agreed, and asks you to send the difference to a supplier before the cheque bounces.

Quick verdict

Risk level
High risk
Scam type
Fake cheque / overpayment (job)
Main red flag
A personal chef job that sends an overpayment cheque and asks you to pay a supplier.
What to do first
Do not forward funds; a cheque can be reversed after it appears to clear.

Understanding this scam

In this scam, a wealthy 'employer' hires you as a personal chef, sends a cheque for ingredients, equipment, or a deposit larger than agreed, and asks you to send the difference to a supplier before the cheque bounces.

Job and employment scams exploit hope and momentum with an easy "hire", work-from-home promises, and tasks that supposedly pay commission. The tell is the direction money flows: real employers pay you, while scams get you to pay in for training, equipment, or to "unlock" earnings, or to hand over bank and ID details.

If you take one thing from this guide, make it this: A personal chef job that sends an overpayment cheque and asks you to pay a supplier. Do not forward funds; a cheque can be reversed after it appears to clear.

If your message looks slightly different, check the Nanny Job Scam or the Cleaning Job Scam, both are close cousins of this pattern. Every related guide lives in the Job Scams guides, and the scam checker can scan the text you received.

A typical example

Example pattern, not a real report
Example pattern: 'Excited to have you as our chef! I've sent a cheque for ingredients and equipment, please forward the supplier's share.'

This is a fictional, anonymised example used to illustrate the pattern. It is not a verified real message, and any names are used only to show how the scam typically reads.

The tell here: A personal chef job that sends an overpayment cheque and asks you to pay a supplier.

What the data shows

Fast-growing
business and job-opportunity scams are among the fastest-growing fraud types reported to the FTC
Source: US Federal Trade Commission
$10.3B
total reported US fraud losses in 2023 across all categories
Source: US Federal Trade Commission

Warning signs

  • Being hired with no real interview
  • An overpayment cheque with money to forward
  • A request to pay a 'supplier' for the employer
  • Payment of the balance by transfer or gift card
  • An employer who is travelling or abroad

Your safest response

  • Do not forward money until a cheque has fully cleared
  • Verify the employer independently
  • Confirm with your bank that funds are truly settled
  • Report the scheme to your bank and authorities

If you have already engaged

  • If you forwarded money, contact your bank immediately
  • Expect the cheque to be reversed, leaving you liable
  • Keep the cheque and messages as evidence
  • Report the 'employer'

What to avoid

  • Do not forward funds from an uncleared cheque
  • Do not pay a 'supplier' for an employer
  • Do not trust a job with no real interview

You might also see

High risk Job

Nanny Job Scam

This scam offers a well-paid nanny or caregiver role, then sends a cheque for more than agreed and asks you to forward the extra for 'supplies'; the cheque later bounces and you lose the money you sent.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
High risk Job

Cleaning Job Scam

In this scam, you are hired as a cleaner or housekeeper without a real interview, sent a check to buy 'supplies' or covering more than agreed, and asked to send the difference to a supplier before the check bounces.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
High risk Bank & Payment

Overpayment Scam

A buyer, employer, or 'client' sends you a payment or cheque for more than they owe, then asks you to send the extra back. The original payment is fake or is later reversed, leaving you out of pocket for the refund you sent.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team

Questions people ask

Why send a cheque for ingredients?
It is a fake-cheque overpayment scam. The cheque bounces after you forward the 'supplier's share', leaving you liable.
How do I know a cheque cleared?
Ask your bank whether the funds have fully settled, and wait until you are certain before moving any money.
I forwarded money to the supplier. What now?
Contact your bank immediately, keep your evidence, and report it; the cheque will likely be reversed.
How do I find genuine private chef work?
Use reputable agencies or clients, expect a real interview, set your own payment terms, and never forward funds from a cheque.

Last reviewed June 2026 · Written & reviewed by the

Disclaimer: This page provides educational information only to help you recognise common scam patterns. It is not legal, financial, cybersecurity, or law enforcement advice, and it does not confirm whether any specific message, company, or person is genuine or fraudulent. When in doubt, contact the official organisation directly and report concerns to your local authorities.