Taking the article at face value my take is: 1. Upwork connected the client and freelancer. 2. The client used someone else's money/credit to pay the freelance

Taking the article at face value my take is: 1. Upwork connected the client and freelancer. 2. The client used someone else's money/credit to pay the freelancer. 3. The fraud was found out and the money refunded. This, then, IMO is between the client, Upwork, and the police. Nothing to do with the freelancer. They are a victim in this fraud as well. Upwork have no right to demand money from the freelancer, their platform allowed the fraud, they're liable.