What just happened? Weirdest interview sequence ever

Had one of the strangest interview experiences I’ve had and trying to figure out what actually happened. I wasn’t actively applying to this company. The owner reached out to me on LinkedIn saying I’d

Had one of the strangest interview experiences I’ve had and trying to figure out what actually happened. I wasn’t actively applying to this company. The owner reached out to me on LinkedIn saying I’d be a great fit for an opportunity. I figured fine, I’ll hear them out. In the first call, he tells me: - I “applied” for an Accounting Manager role (I know I didn’t) - That role is actually below my level - BUT their sister company needs a Controller - And they specifically want someone with my background (cleanup, process improvement, fixing systems, business ownership experience) He even says something along the lines of “I don’t mean to bait and switch you, but this seems like a great fit.” He tells me the Controller role pays 100–110k. I tell him I’m currently at 100k, so that aligns. He immediately sets me up with the owner of the sister company. Second interview: - She says my resume is basically a perfect match - Conversation flows really well, honestly one of the best interviews I’ve had - We even end up talking about random personal overlap (same college, she dated someone from my small town, etc.) - She describes the role as remote, autonomous, no micromanaging, just “do what needs done” At the end she says: “You’ll hear back. I know everyone says that, but you actually will.” So I’m thinking this is moving forward. About 4 days later, the original guy emails me to “catch up.” I get on the call thinking next steps. Instead: - He says they went with someone else because they had a “better conversation” - Then immediately pivots to: “We don’t want to lose you, do you want to talk about the Accounting Manager role you applied for?” I’m caught off guard because: - I didn’t apply for that role - I have no details on it - It was already framed as below my level He asks what questions I have. I basically say I don’t really know because I was focused on the Controller role. He then says he’ll: - Send over the job description - Connect me with the Controller I’d report to Call ends quickly. Afterward I look into it: - The only job posting I can find from them is an entry-level accounting role at 50–55k - Nothing about a management role - Nothing about anything close to what was discussed He never sends the job description. Never connects me with anyone. So the sequence is: - Reach out about a “great fit” opportunity - Frame it as a Controller role at 100–110k - Strong interviews, very positive feedback - Rejection based on “conversation” - Immediate pivot to a different role I didn’t apply for - That role doesn’t seem to exist (or is actually an entry-level posting at half my pay) - No follow-up at all I’m trying to understand: - Was the Controller role real and I just lost out? - Does this “Accounting Manager” role actually exist? - Is this just a small business being disorganized? - Or are they trying to funnel candidates into lower roles? Also… who would leave a 100k role for something paying 50–55k, especially when that wasn’t what was discussed? The whole thing felt off, especially the video call just to reject and immediately pivot me into something else. Curious if anyone has seen something like this or has insight into what was going on behind the scenes.