The Promise of Easy Money
A new wave of South African entrepreneurs is promoting “autobidding” software that bid for jobs on freelance platforms like Freelancer.com.
At the forefront is a 21-year-old figure, known to Freelancer.com as SourceOasisBPO, who brands himself on TikTok (@chrisbpo) and Instagram (chris_bpo) as a business success story, showcasing luxury cars, a digital community, and “proof” of his software earning thousands of dollars.
His platform, AutoBPO.ai, markets itself as a gateway to fast-tracked freelance success. For a steep monthly fee (recently reaching up to R5 000 per month), subscribers gain access to the software, community groups, and one-on-one “training” sessions.
But behind the glossy social media and success stories lies a troubling pattern that prospective users deserve to understand before parting with their savings.
When I Subscribed: The Hidden Costs and Pressure
In April 2025, I subscribed to AutoBPO’s program, paying $110 USD (around R2 000) for one month. The onboarding process was professional, and the software did function — it automated bids on Freelancer.com as advertised.
What wasn’t disclosed upfront, however, was that subscribers would also need a premium Freelancer.com membership at $99 USD per month, in addition to the subscription fee. That brought the total cost to nearly R4 000 monthly, not including the time investment.
And the time demands were intense. To see any meaningful results, users were encouraged to work through the night, handling bids and client interactions manually once leads came in. “Passive income” quickly turned into sleepless nights — with no guarantees of profit.
While some members did post earnings screenshots, others (me included) struggled to make a single sale. I concede, maybe I was just not cut out for it, but something about it left an unpleasant taste in my mouth.
The Culture: “Fake It Till You Make It”
Within the AutoBPO community, success stories were often used as marketing fuel. Members were encouraged to project confidence — sometimes to the point of fabrication — when interacting with potential clients on Freelancer.
Although I cannot provide direct proof of scripted falsehoods, I personally witnessed instances where members were advised to exaggerate experience or expertise to appear more legitimate.
This “fake it till you make it” mentality, while not uncommon in sales circles, crosses a line when vulnerable newcomers — often teenagers — are being taught to misrepresent themselves on professional platforms.
The Age Issue: A Risk Few Are Aware Of
AutoBPO reportedly accepts subscribers under 18, claiming it’s permissible “with parental consent.”
However, this conflicts with the terms of the very platforms the program relies on:
- Upwork.com explicitly requires users to be at least 18 years old, as all freelancers must be able to enter binding contracts.
- Freelancer.com forbids anyone under 16 from using the site, and allows those aged 16–17 only to use an adult’s account with consent.
That means any teenager encouraged to create their own account on these sites could be violating the platforms’ rules, risking account suspension or worse.
It’s an ethical gray area that parents — and young subscribers — need to understand before getting involved.
The Outsourcing Dilemma
Another recurring ethical concern is the exploitation of low-paid overseas freelancers.
The program’s model reportedly involves charging clients premium prices, while contracting cheap labor in countries like Pakistan and India to complete the work.
From what I observed, these workers were paid a fraction of what clients were billed. In group calls and older promotional videos, there were even remarks suggesting that “these freelancers don’t know any better” and would accept very low rates — a troubling reflection of global inequality, presented as a profit strategy.
While such outsourcing isn’t illegal, it raises serious questions about fairness, dignity, and sustainability.
The Money Trail: Cheaper, Proven Alternatives
AutoBPO’s software itself isn’t unique — far from it. A simple Google search for “Freelancer autobidder” reveals multiple competing tools offering similar functionality for a fraction of the price:
| Software | Pricing | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| FreelancerAutoBiddingBot.com | $100 per year | Basic but functional automation |
| FreelancerAutoBid.com | $25 per month or $249 per year | Offers customizable bidding filters |
| Bidman.co | $10–30 per month | Advanced analytics at low cost |
Compared to AutoBPO’s R5 000 / month (~$285 USD), these prices are between 5× and 25× cheaper — and offer similar automation capabilities, minus the marketing hype.
The Trust Factor
Independent review sites echo these concerns:
- ScamDetector rates autobpo.ai at 22.6 / 100 (High-Risk).
- ScamAdviser and ScamDoc both flag it as a new, low-transparency domain.
That doesn’t prove a scam — but it should make any potential buyer pause.
Conclusion: Be Cautious, Not Careless
There’s no denying that automation tools can help freelancers scale. But the glossy marketing around AutoBPO — combined with its high fees, ethical questions, and hidden costs — make it a risky investment for beginners.
For struggling young people chasing an “online income,” it’s crucial to separate real opportunity from expensive illusion.
Before paying thousands for software wrapped in hype, consider the cheaper tools above, study the platforms’ own rules, and remember – honesty and sustainability beat shortcuts and showmanship every time.