(So yeah, looking for jobs on Craigslist and I came across what seemed like a legit offer at first, but quickly turned south with an obvious check scammer. Below is the transcript.)
Me: Hello. As requested, I am forwarding this resume to this address.
"Micheal J Long" (Brian Ginther): Hello Thomas
I have 8 of my company's laptops (HP dv2500)for upgrading/reformatting, advice if this is part of your service line, Below is a list of work needed to be done on each Laptop.
1 Format Hard Drive 2 Install Win 7 3 Install Microsoft Office Package
4 AVG Virus Software 5 upgrade all computers from window vista Business to windows 7 professional.
I have back up files for all computers and Kindly get back to me with total cost for the service charges for all the 8 laptops, i mean how much is your charges if you to fixed all the laptop for me.
All computers are the same model,and I will be providing windows 7 Professional Cd and License keys.
Looking forward to read from you.
Regards.
CEO
Michael J. Long
Arrow Electronics Company
Me: It'll be $700 for all 8 laptops, Mr. Long. I can take them as soon as you're ready, and it should take half a day to finish all of them.
"Micheal J Long" (Brian Ginther): Hello Thomas
Thank you for the prompt response,all i wanted you to do is to Format Hard Drive,Install Windows 7,Install Microsoft Office Package,remove Trojan virus that attacked all The computers and re install avg free anti virus Software and upgrade all computers from window vista Business to windows 7 professional and thank you for the price total of $700,it is okay,as far you are going to do a good job an obey our instruction that was given to you cus we have more laptop in future,I will instruct one of our clients near you to mail to you the payment of your charges which will be in excess form of a certified cashier's check Also the payment will be in amount of your money for repairing the system and shipment fee to dispatch the devices down to your location and you will deduct
your fee and have all the rest money sent to the shipping agent via western union. and if you are satisfied with the offer,please get back to me with your name and mailing address and also a valid phone number as to been written on the payment and also the laptops will be mailed to you as soon as my shipping agent gets all of the faulty units together from our various offices.
I will appreciate your quick response if you are satisfied with the offer
Looking forward to read from you.
Regards.
CEO
Michael J. Long
Arrow Electronic Company
Me:
I am mostly satisfied, except that I don't deal with Western Union or cashier's checks, both of which are quite shady.
Honestly, this looks like a check scam. Send the laptops first, and my payment must come in the form of a simple one-way check. I won't be sending any of the money back to anywhere.
ML (BG): Thank so much for your quick responds,Firstly you will receive a text on instruction to clear your doubt of scam but you are in good business and you will deduct your charges for the repairs ($700) only .You are to deduct your exact charges and transfer the rest to our shipper agent in other to create a working relationship because he will use that in picking up the faulty unit from different location assigned to him and get all delivered to you and also be picking them up after are done working on them and make sure that examination is done as proper check up for the repaired laptops before picking them up, this is as a result of total confirmation in your services rendered and will create a good business relationship in retaining you as our permanent technician as i have the believe you will render your services.
(2nd message sent shortly afterwards): kindly provide the necessary information for your payment
(So, yeah. Wondering if I could turn this situation to my advantage. What do you guys think?)
Me: Hello. As requested, I am forwarding this resume to this address.
"Micheal J Long" (Brian Ginther): Hello Thomas
I have 8 of my company's laptops (HP dv2500)for upgrading/reformatting, advice if this is part of your service line, Below is a list of work needed to be done on each Laptop.
1 Format Hard Drive 2 Install Win 7 3 Install Microsoft Office Package
4 AVG Virus Software 5 upgrade all computers from window vista Business to windows 7 professional.
I have back up files for all computers and Kindly get back to me with total cost for the service charges for all the 8 laptops, i mean how much is your charges if you to fixed all the laptop for me.
All computers are the same model,and I will be providing windows 7 Professional Cd and License keys.
Looking forward to read from you.
Regards.
CEO
Michael J. Long
Arrow Electronics Company
Me: It'll be $700 for all 8 laptops, Mr. Long. I can take them as soon as you're ready, and it should take half a day to finish all of them.
"Micheal J Long" (Brian Ginther): Hello Thomas
Thank you for the prompt response,all i wanted you to do is to Format Hard Drive,Install Windows 7,Install Microsoft Office Package,remove Trojan virus that attacked all The computers and re install avg free anti virus Software and upgrade all computers from window vista Business to windows 7 professional and thank you for the price total of $700,it is okay,as far you are going to do a good job an obey our instruction that was given to you cus we have more laptop in future,I will instruct one of our clients near you to mail to you the payment of your charges which will be in excess form of a certified cashier's check Also the payment will be in amount of your money for repairing the system and shipment fee to dispatch the devices down to your location and you will deduct
your fee and have all the rest money sent to the shipping agent via western union. and if you are satisfied with the offer,please get back to me with your name and mailing address and also a valid phone number as to been written on the payment and also the laptops will be mailed to you as soon as my shipping agent gets all of the faulty units together from our various offices.
I will appreciate your quick response if you are satisfied with the offer
Looking forward to read from you.
Regards.
CEO
Michael J. Long
Arrow Electronic Company
Me:
I am mostly satisfied, except that I don't deal with Western Union or cashier's checks, both of which are quite shady.
Honestly, this looks like a check scam. Send the laptops first, and my payment must come in the form of a simple one-way check. I won't be sending any of the money back to anywhere.
ML (BG): Thank so much for your quick responds,Firstly you will receive a text on instruction to clear your doubt of scam but you are in good business and you will deduct your charges for the repairs ($700) only .You are to deduct your exact charges and transfer the rest to our shipper agent in other to create a working relationship because he will use that in picking up the faulty unit from different location assigned to him and get all delivered to you and also be picking them up after are done working on them and make sure that examination is done as proper check up for the repaired laptops before picking them up, this is as a result of total confirmation in your services rendered and will create a good business relationship in retaining you as our permanent technician as i have the believe you will render your services.
(2nd message sent shortly afterwards): kindly provide the necessary information for your payment
(So, yeah. Wondering if I could turn this situation to my advantage. What do you guys think?)
