Last Friday, I got a text message from someone who inquired about having a web site built. The initial message was:
“Good day, I’m Hanson I would like to know if you can create and handle an informational website design for my new company? If yes kindly get back to me so we can proceed then I send you the job details.”
For the last 25 years, I’ve been doing SEO, email marketing, and web site development and I like to think I’ve become pretty savvy about what’s real and what’s not. My immediate reaction to that message was that it’s probably some kind of scam. But in those 25 years, I’ve been approached by email and text message before, so I didn’t want to rule the message out without a little research.
The message was sent to my Google Voice business number, which reported two sender phone numbers. One was from Google Voice and the other showed up as outside Gary, Indiana. A bit odd, since I haven’t done any marketing in the Indiana area and don’t recall an clients from there, but I decided to respond anyway.
Me: Where did you find out about us?
Scammer: I got your details online through Google.
Me: In that case, you know we build all kinds of web sites.
Scammer: Sound good, i would like you to get back to me with your email address so i can send the job details to you then we proceed.
I’m suspicious. Why ask for my email if you found me on Google?
Me: If you found us on Google, you’ll note that there is contact information on our web site.
Scammer: I only get your contact when i searched for a website designers, and you popped up so i decided to text you if you can create one for me.
Me: You can email us at info@34.201.6.181
Two minutes later, I got an email.
I have a weight loss website in mind and I want to create a website for it, now am trying to expand the website and I want you to make it an informational website for it for advertisement and to increase my traffic on my website. The site would only be informational, so I need you to get back to me with an estimate for the web design, the estimate should include hosting and I want the site to have not more than 10 pages since it is informational. I have a private project graphic designer, he has the text content, images and the logos for the site.Note:
1. I want only English language
2. I don’t have a domain yet but I want the domain name as xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.com
3. You will be updating the site for me.
4. I will be providing the images, logos and content for the site.
5. I want the site up and running before the end of next month.
6. My budget is $500 to $6000 Kindly get back to me with an estimate.
Hope to read from you,
Thanks Hanson
I’m convinced this is a scam, but you never know. It could be real. Having English as a first language isn’t a prerequisite to being an entrepreneur so I decided to keep going.
Scammer: The details as been sent hope you received it? What is your name if i may ask ?
Me: I’m Eric. What is fastestway2reduce.com
Scammer: It’s a domain name i choose at first before i got it changed.
Me: OK. I’ll put a contract together for you and you can decide if you want to proceed. I’ll need the name of your company, the type of company (like an LLC), the address, and the jurisdiction where it’s organized.
Scammer: Sound good, i would like to know you can use my name as the company xxxxx xxxxxx. Here is my house address (xx xxxxxxxx St, Stamford, CT 06907).
I did a little more research. The street address he gave me was legit, and owner of the home corresponds to the name of the person I was supposedly dealing with. OK – maybe I’m wrong about this.
Me: OK. I’ll put together a contract and send it out tomorrow.
Scammer: Alright would get back to you soon. If I may ask, who is your payment processor?
That’s weird. What difference does the payment processor make?
I told my wife that I was still feeling a bit suspicious about this. Something just didn’t feel right about it. But I put the contract together anyway (I could still be wrong) and made sure I put in stipulations that no work begins until payment is received and has cleared the bank. This morning, I get an email:
Scammer: I have received the contract. If i may ask what credit card processor do you use to prepare your invoice and run your charges?
Me: We don’t use a stand-alone credit card processor. As soon as the MSA and SOW(s) are signed and returned, you’ll get an invoice from our accounting system and you can pay using ACH or a credit card via the link on the invoice.
And then it happens:
Scammer: Sound good, Eric. I really appreciate it, if i make the payment today how long does it take for the funds to hit your account? I would be needing a little favor from you Eric, I would be grateful if you can assist me?
Me: What favor…?
Scammer:
Okay I would like you to send an invoice for the sum of $7,700 you be holding $2,000 as deposit payment for the work need to be done and you will send the remaining $5,500 to the private graphic designer that has the text content, images and the logos for the site via cash deposit and a tip of $200 for you so once he receives the money he will make the text content, images and the logos for the site….okay?Below is the final break down of the total charges
• Web Design Fee: $2,000
• Private Graphic Designer’s Fee : $5,500
• Tips & Gratitude : $200
• 3% CC charges?Hope you understand the assistance I am requesting from you Eric?
I’m annoyed. I’m pissed. I didn’t lose any money, but I wasted my time and effort, and that annoys me more than anything else.
According to Section 941. 18 U.S.C. 1343 this is wire fraud, plain and simple. Solicitations like this aren’t harmless. I’ve already contact the FBI and the Connecticut State Division of Criminal Justice.
Scammers like this are not just going after consumers. They’re going after businesses.
Be careful.
