Over the past year, many senior leaders have noticed a troubling trend: unsolicited messages from “recruiters” claiming they have a perfect board opportunity waiting. The outreach often feels flattering, personalized, and urgent. And then, almost predictably, it pivots into criticism of the executive’s board materials and an offer to “help polish them” for a fee.
These are not legitimate board searches. They are scams. And they are becoming more sophisticated, more targeted, and more frequent.
In fact, cybercrime losses in the U.S. reached a record high of nearly $21 billion in 2025, marking a 26% increase from 2024, according to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). Business Email Compromise (BEC) and phishing scams were significant contributors to these losses, and their use was heavily accelerated by artificial intelligence.
This article explains how the scam works, why executives are being targeted, how to spot red flags, and what to do if you receive or have already responded to one of these messages.
Why Executives Are Being Targeted
Executives are prime targets for social-engineering scams for three reasons:
- Public visibility – Executive profiles on LinkedIn and company websites provide enough information to craft highly believable outreach.
- Board aspirations are common – Many senior leaders want board roles as part of their next career chapter. Scammers exploit this ambition.
- Executives are busy – Time pressure increases the chance someone may respond quickly without fully vetting the sender.
These campaigns are not random spam. They are carefully crafted confidence schemes.
How the “Board Opportunity” Scam Typically Works
While the wording varies, the pattern is remarkably consistent:
To begin, scammers start with flattering outreach. The message often includes a claim that you were “recommended”, a statement that your background is a “perfect fit”, and a vague reference to a confidential board search.
For example: “We’re conducting a confidential search for a board member and your background stood out immediately.”
Then, the sender sends a quick validation request to gauge interest and the potential impulse to take them up on their offer. This could be a request to share a board bio, board resume, or more information on the types of boards you’re interested in. This request intentionally feels reasonable.
But once materials or details are shared, the tone of these messages begins to shift. Suddenly, your board bio is “not competitive”, you are “behind the market”, or you need “professional board positioning.”
By making the recipient feel unprepared or at risk of not being considered for the role, the scammer uses fear to prompt action. As writer and licensed therapist, Gabriel Young, Ph.D. writes:
By fomenting fear, they hope to create a fight-or-flight response in the reader. When this happens, the brain’s activity is redirected away from the prefrontal cortex, which we use to think critically. If successful, the scammers have effectively pressed an ‘off’ switch in our minds.
This is when the paid offer comes into play. The scam almost always ends with a paid service pitch, such as a board bio rewrite, a board readiness program, or even access to board placement services. Fees for these offers often range from hundreds to thousands of dollars. And because recipients are no longer thinking clearly, they are much more likely to act on this call to action.
Why This Is a Scam, not a Legitimate Search
Real board searches operate very differently. Legitimate board recruiters are retained by a company before contacting candidates, never charge candidate fees, do not sell resume or bio services, and conduct rigorous, relationship-based searches that are most likely to move slowly and thoughtfully.
Charging candidates is a major red flag. Board search firms are paid by the hiring organization, not the candidate.
Some other red flags to look for include:
- Vague company information (i.e., no real website, generic firm name, no verifiable client list)
- Generic, mass-produced messaging that includes broad praise, no specific reference to your expertise, and even identical messages sent to peers
- Fast pivot to paid services
- Urgency or scarcity pressure
- Either a thin or no verifiable recruiter presence
How to Verify a Board Opportunity
Before responding, take these steps:
- Research the Firm – Conduct an internet search or even use AI to find out everything you can about the firm, including its website, media coverage, credentials, and its leadership team.
- Ask Direct Questions – Legitimate recruiters will be able to tell you who retained the firm, what stage the search is in, who is involved, and details on the governance profile. Scammers typically avoid specifics.
- Never Pay for Access – No reputable board search firm charges candidates. If money comes up, disengage.
What To Do If You Suspect a Scam
First and foremost, if you receive a suspicious message, do not click on any unknown links or share any personal documents. Don’t engage at all.
If you have already shared materials, stop all communication immediately and monitor your accounts for suspicious activity. Keep an eye out for phishing emails, identity theft attempts, and login attempts you did not initiate.
And, of course, be sure to report the incident. You can file a report with the Federal Trade Commission and the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center. Reporting helps track patterns and prevent further harm.
The Bottom Line
If a recruiter:
- Flatters you quickly,
- Criticizes your materials, and
- Offers paid help
…it is almost certainly a scam.
Board opportunities come from trusted networks, credible recruiters, and real relationships. Not cold outreach followed by a sales pitch.
You’ve worked hard to build your reputation. Don’t let scammers leverage that success against you.
If you’re serious about board service, the best next step is trusted guidance. Navigate Forward works with senior leaders every day to build authentic board readiness, from crafting compelling board materials to helping executives understand how real board searches happen. If you’d like to learn more, explore our insights. Or, connect with a member of our team to discuss your board goals and how to pursue them with confidence.
