Scamming a math tutor? (unless this looks legit to you)

[cedailey]

So sad, you can't even advertise a simple service without watching your back these days.

I advertised on Craigslist as a Math tutor (elementary-high school) for the summer.  The first reply I got was a little odd, but I gave benefit of the doubt.  It said she was in the UK, but her son would be here for the summer and she wanted to keep him occupied.  What would be my costs for 1hour a day M-F, and her 14 yo son was "just a beginner at this"  Also she wanted my full name and cell number.

So I sent (from my tutor email) a reply stating the fee and asking why a 14 yo was a beginner at math (possible LD? Unschooled?) Gave her a name but no cell (don't have one)

This was the response (also included attached photos):

Thank you for the email.Well _____ is still new to this so you just have to
start with him ok,so if there is any hand book needed for the lesson just
let me know with the charges for it ok.


More about ____ is 14 yrs old

Height 5'7.

weight 125 Ibs (57)

Am glad the way you have kept me posted on the (tutoring) and more so
I have accepted your offer and its ok by me,I have make
contacts with my son concerning the arrangement of the tutoring which he
told me is ok by him and that he will like to come very soon for
the lesson to commence. So I want you to know that i am going to pay for
a month payment it will start by july which is $525 like you said and
also i want you to know that my client who is in US will be sending you my
salary payment and to know that the rest of the money will be used to get
Accommodation beside your location and any other arrangement for the
lesson,So as soon as you get the check payment then you will cash it and
deduct your cost of tutoring of the lesson for a month and send
remaining balance to my Nanny Via Western Union can i trust you with my
money?.
Your full name ........................................................

Your full address,apt # with zip code.................................

Your phone number for contact................................

I have instructed _____ to get some of his picture so i can mail them to
you for recognition OK.

Thanks and waiting to read from you soon.




Dr.______
 

[StefMc07]

May. 31, 2009 at 9:15 AM

Sounds like a scam to me.

[Xynyth]

May. 31, 2009 at 9:32 AM

total scam. like someone is going to trust a complete stranger with their paycheck lol. Good luck with tutoring though :)

[clockwatcher]

May. 31, 2009 at 9:59 AM

Definitely a scam. Anytime a third party is involved and they tell you to deduct your payment and forward money back to them you're going to get burned!

[auroragold]

May. 31, 2009 at 10:00 AM

Uh yes  - SCAM SCAM SCAM

anyone asking you to send them $$$ by Western Union is suspect

1) you don't know this person at all

2) they'll send you a BOGUS check - you'll get hit with bank fees for a bad check AND you'll then be out the money you send back by Western Union

 

SCAM SCAM SCAM SCAM SCAM

[cedailey]

Jun. 1, 2009 at 2:51 PM

Yep, that's what I thought.  Even with the first message I thought scam, I just replied 'cause, hey, there are some offbeat flakes out there, and $500 is nothing to sneeze at.  But I don't give anybody any kind of personal info.  It's too bad, I like tutoring, but not getting much response.

(Original Poster)

[Arwynne]

Jun. 7, 2009 at 8:13 PM

Try advertising in your local newspaper instead. It may cost you a small fee, but it's better than Craigslist.

Good luck!