I don't think it's a scam accusation topic at all. You did not like their process does not mean they are scammer.
The project is to post images and the job post has been posted on freelancer.com those who are interested apply for the project. So, those who are qualified can be selected from there. They should not need to apply to any other place. Freelancer on freelancer.com is not allowing to offshore communication and if freelancer.com can see such a message we have sent you an email/WhatsApp but did not receive a reply or anything such type of message on/after sharing information then freelancer.com will suspend the account of the contractor(worker/freelancer).
And applying on the post out of freelancer means they are taking the worker out of freelancer.com and that doesn't support by the freelancer. So, those who are working on freelancer.com will be losers by sharing this type of information even if the project is legit though I think the project is fake.
I don't get it.
There are hundreds of ads for call center jobs, for virtual assistants, if you accept the job wouldn't you at one point still have to provide them all the data they ask for, phone, skype, email, name? The guy seemed legit, you said no, he said ok and that's it if his target was to gather your data he would have probably insisted, and furthermore, probably had made a far more attractive ad and offer, right?
Freelancers may share a few pieces of information which is after a prior relationship. That means after accepting the project and also only for the service providing. Not for communication. If there is any communication out of freelancer.com and they can understand/know about that then they will suspend the account without thinking twice.