Suspicious email message.

[dragonspyke]

My friend who I work with recieved this message a few days ago and told me it was suspicious and he wasn't sure if it was scam or not, and reading it myself, I feel that it is a scam, but I just really want to be sure. can anyone tell me if I should not reply back, or ask more quesitons to this person.

Something about the capitlization of certain words that made a red flag go up.

Here is the message.

From: Benjamin Smith [mailto:belikeboldben@yahoo.com]
Sent: Thursday, March 08, 2007 6:40 AM
To: hidden
Subject: Requesting your Photography Service


Esteemed Greetings to you,
This is from the desk of Benjamin Smith,
Good Day and i hope that you get this message as soon as possible.
I checked the Internet for your Social Organization service.I am requesting your Photography service for the Retirement Party of my Boss next month at the Tranquility Park,400 Rusk Street,Houston,TX, I have a good taste for High Quality Social Activities, i hope that you can provide very good service for me.
I know precisely that your services are good before you must have made Internet Advertisement.
I can make arrangements for payments to suit you,but firstly, i will like to know when you will be available and your mode of operations at Occasions.Also, it will be good to know your payment charges to determine if i can afford your service.
I look forward to reading from you and i will wait patiently till i read from you before i make further contacts with others.
Warm and Kind Regards and a Hopeful Anticipation of your High Quality service at my Party.
Reply soon.
Benjamin Adam Smith (Mr.)

[byarger]

Scam! Scam! Scam! I've seen several of these types of things on this and other photo forums. The old adage about the duck is relevant here. If it looks like a scam, it probably is.

[Akmayeli]

I agree this does look really odd and suspicious, but what do they get out of doing this? Do you guys know anyone that has ever been scammed in this manner? Just curious.

[Bartman01]

Let's see...

'Business' email from a yahoo account.
Very poor use of the English language (almost like a bad translation program came up with the text).

I would proceed with caution (if at all).
If you respond, ask for their company name/address/phone number. Also ask for the event coordinator contact info to the 'rules' for photography in the establishment.

Personally I would pass.

[Ahh!]

Just do a search on SCAM in the forum...

http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...highlight=scam

[Bartman01]

Originally Posted by Akmayeli

I agree this does look really odd and suspicious, but what do they get out of doing this? Do you guys know anyone that has ever been scammed in this manner? Just curious.

The 'scam' usually happens during the payment process. Common way is for 'client' to overpay you and direct you to forward $$ to another party. Then their check/payment doesn't clear and you are out the money you forwarded. Another way is for them to set up a direct bank payment. Usually when you establish the ability for a third party to put money in to your account they also have the ability to remove funds as well.

[zeroendless]

Scams? with local retirement party and address provided???

I guess we never knew first hand what the customer wants and who thery are. But let see........

Benjamin is asking a local Photographer to shoot his Boss's retirement Party at LOCAL and address is provided.

I am requesting your Photography service for the Retirement Party of my Boss next month at the Tranquility Park,400 Rusk Street,Houston,TX,

And then he said

I can make arrangements for payments to suit you,but firstly, i will like to know when you will be available and your mode of operations at Occasions.Also, it will be good to know your payment charges to determine if i can afford your service.
I look forward to reading from you and i will wait patiently till i read from you before i make further contacts with others.

I don't know about scams just yet? No payment plan has yet decided. Just plain and simple business opportunity.

Call him up, quote the price, meet up? check the address or confirm with event planner??? Or wait on customer to knock on your door??

[Daylon]

Always be Wary of Email that Has Weird Capitalization In It....just a Warning to You.

D.

[Paulo]

Good point, Daniel. But if I got this email, I think my first impression would be a little weary. True, they do provide a physical address. But the park mentioned is the one directly in front of City Hall. I've only seen festivals held there. Of course I could be wrong, but I've never seen a birthday party there.
And for some reason, I thought it was odd to ask him a general question of when he's available. Why didn't they specify a general date (or range) and then ask if he's available. At least, that's what happens when a potential client contacts me.
"I have an event _______. It's on or around DATE. Are you available?"

Don't want to flat out call it a scam but I wouldn't get my hopes up until I verify it's a real request.

[timbertoes]

Originally Posted by Akmayeli

I agree this does look really odd and suspicious, but what do they get out of doing this? Do you guys know anyone that has ever been scammed in this manner? Just curious.

LOL, Amy, it's not odd or suspicious......

.
.
.

It is absolutley RIDICULOUS!!

The two parts I like best are:
the reply to email name "belikeboldben' hahaha
and "Esteemed Greetings"

here is my reply:

[Ahh!]

Why does the To: line show as "HIDDEN". It is a broadcast email...another sign it is a scam.

[STP Images]

.

[kenw]

Love the "From the desk of...."

darn smart desks some folks have.....being able to write and all...

Looks like some notepads from the 80s managed to get all the way over to Nigeria.

scam, pure and simple. ignore it.

[dragonspyke]

Originally Posted by phorn45

Why does the To: line show as "HIDDEN". It is a broadcast email...another sign it is a scam.

That's because it was sent to my friend's email, and I'm just keeping his email private.

[Ahh!]

Why does the To: line show as "HIDDEN". It is a broadcast email...another sign it is a scam.

Ignore this if this is a dupe. Ah...it was...silly computer. Loose nut on he keyboard.