Scam?

[dave_borg98]

I just received an email (see below). I am sure that it is a scam, so I wanted to see how you would handle it. I know it is easiest to just ignore it, but that would not be fun. I hate people that try to take advantage of others. So, what is the best way to engage this?

The bad grammar and the interest in my shots that are mediocre at best are sure signs that this is fishy.


Hello,
My name is Bobby Malvin. Am freelance agent working for Lakewood Agency which is based in the UK and has branches also in Africa,Europe, Asia.I saw your profile and pictures while surfing the internet on (MODELMAYHEM), I appreciate them and I would like us to do some works together.The work is i want you to take pictures of some of our models who will be coming to you in the united states.and we want you to give us your effort in other to continue working with you

I presently have good offer for you. I want to know if you are interested intaking pictures for us because I need pictures of a good looking person who will be on the magazine cover of one of our company for the new launching. Please let me know if you are interested in the deal.

You stand a chance of making reasonable $1000 from this deal to start, and even a noticeable fame. Let me know if you are interested in my offer and I would give you further details.And pls specify the type of cameras and lights you use for your shots

God Bless
Bobby M.

[Tee Why]

Sounds a little fishy to me. Don't see "Lakewood Agency" when I did a quick search online. Atleast the first page.

[Croasdail]

Sorry, it just doesn't read right. I wouldn't spend too much time with this chap.

[MJPhotos24]

reads VERY similar to other scams out there!

[Anke]

With grammar as bad as that, I wouldn't trust it at all!!

[PhotosGuy]

Guess what? He'll pay you with a "Certified" check for more than the job required. Then ask you to cash it & wire him the difference.

[dave_borg98]

Guess what? He'll pay you with a "Certified" check for more than the job required. Then ask you to cash it & wire him the difference.

That is the exact scam that came to mind.

I knew what it was, I just wanted a second opinion. Thanks guys.

[Bill Roberts]

I'd be very wary of this one. It purports to be from an agency in the UK but the grammar is appalling (even by todays standards). This alone would be enough to put me off.

[Converge]

What is the best way to engage this?????
Its pretty obvious, do not waste your time replying and just delete it.
Then continue on with your day.

[SingingSabre]

String him on. Have some fun with it and see what you can fish out of him.

Then make a website devoted to his stupidity.

Or delete it. But I'd see what kind of fun I could have first. Perhaps send a reply in Engrish.

[rhys]

It's a Nigerian Scam. Play him along, along the lines of 419 Eater.

[dave_borg98]

It's a Nigerian Scam. Play him along, along the lines of 419 Eater.

That is what I was looking for as well.

[-MasterChief-]

yup, definitely sounds like a nigerian scam!

[sspellman]

Dave-

Its very likley that this particular inquiry is a scam, but you should still have a simple proposal form for inquiries like this with pricing and terms and conditions. You will find that you may have legitimate clients with bad english skills. You should still be able to provide a quote with minila time investment. For international sales, I only take PayPal-period, which quickly eliminates all bad cashiers checks frauds.

-Scott

[geofftelforduk]

Going by his grammar skills, "he hasn't been able to spoke good England ever since he was a children!".

Definately a dodgy one.

[pwm2]

Going by his grammar skills, "he hasn't been able to spoke good England ever since he was a children!".

Definately a dodgy one.
Why is it so commoon to assume that everyone else must read/write English perfectly? Quite a huge part of the world do not have English as the official language.

(My comment has nothing to do with the legitimacy of the OP offer.)

[Steve Parr]

Some random guy in Europe or Africa e-mails some random guy from Oklahoma, and offers him up to a grand to take pictures of models.

Please let me know where this starts to sound reasonable...

[PhotosGuy]

Why is it so commoon to assume that everyone else must read/write English perfectly? Because most of those guys write that way, & it's an indication of trouble coming. Like when you're crossing the street & you hear a LOUD horn behind you? :D

[blackshadow]

String him on. Have some fun with it and see what you can fish out of him.

Then make a website devoted to his stupidity.

Or delete it. But I'd see what kind of fun I could have first. Perhaps send a reply in Engrish.

I suggest checking out www.ebolamonkeyman.com (http://www.ebolamonkeyman.com) for some inspiration and some laughs!

[pwm2]

Because most of those guys write that way, & it's an indication of trouble coming. Like when you're crossing the street & you hear a LOUD horn behind you? :D
Yes, but that is a separate issue. Most of the guys from some countries writes that way even if they are not scammers. In some countries, a lot of the honest people doesn't even manage to write properly in their own language.

A large part of the world population does not speak English - or speaks it poorly. Hence, the language itself can not be used to judge (especially when the mail is sent from a country where English isn't the native language).

The meaning of the text does give an indication that it is a scam. But a scam could just as well have been written in perfect English, and a legitimate mail could just as well be written in broken English.

[-MasterChief-]

Like when you're crossing the street & you hear a LOUD horn behind you? :D

LOL! :D :D :D

[PhotosGuy]

Yes, but that is a separate issue. I don't think it is separate. As I said, "it's an indication...". a lot of the honest people doesn't even manage to write properly in their own language. Sadly, that's very true!

[saturnin]

the funny thing is...ppl get caught up by these emails.. i've never ever even give one a full read... these nigerian scams are getting much more sophisticated as they are targeting forums etc etc.

[rhys]

Every now and then I think about baiting the scammers. I don't want them to know my email address (even the freebie Yahoo account) because I don't need more spam. And anyway, baiting the scammers wouldn't make me any better than they are.

[pwm2]

But baiting scammers would let you have a bit of fun, while wasting a bit of their time. Time that they may have spent scamming more people. So by baiting them, you are actually making the humanity a great favor ;)

[dave_borg98]

But baiting scammers would let you have a bit of fun, while wasting a bit of their time. Time that they may have spent scamming more people. So by baiting them, you are actually making the humanity a great favor ;)

I really like humanity being the driving force. Do it to make the world a better place ;).

I am just going to leave it be, as I would much rather browse the POTN forums with the extra time I would use on him.

[BDM]

Why is it so commoon to assume that everyone else must read/write English perfectly? Quite a huge part of the world do not have English as the official language.

(My comment has nothing to do with the legitimacy of the OP offer.)

Well . . . he purportedely is based in the UK and is supposedly representing a legitimate business there. I guess a decent command of the language is expected from such a person to project an image of professional competence. I doubt a serious UK enterprise would choose such a person to conduct its internet solicitation/correspondence. I know that a good part of the world does not speak English but this corresponence supposedly comes from England and so we would expect better English skills than demonstrated in this message.

Bruce

[MikeI]

I have received a few emails like this, although none were photography related. I should have answered some of them....I would be a millionaire!!!

[pwm2]

Well . . . he purportedely is based in the UK and is supposedly representing a legitimate business there. I guess a decent command of the language is expected from such a person to project an image of professional competence. I doubt a serious UK enterprise would choose such a person to conduct its internet solicitation/correspondence. I know that a good part of the world does not speak English but this corresponence supposedly comes from England and so we would expect better English skills than demonstrated in this message.

Bruce
I saw the "freelance" and "has branches also in Africa,Europe, Asia." and assumed that this guy may not be living in the UK, and that he isn't selected as the official contact for international business for the company.