The Computer Repair Scam
I write often about how to avoid scams, so I thought it would be interesting to share one the scam emails I have gotten over the years.
Scammers even try to scam computer professionals. I figure it is because they fall for them.
I usually engage with the scammers because... why not,
here is one from a few years back.
Hello Sir/Ma,
I saw your advert on craigslist about your ability to repair laptops and computers.I want to know if you are capable of doing this in large quantities.
I hope to hear from you soonest.
Regards
Benjamin
Benjamin,
Yes I can do laptop repair.
How many do you have and where are you located?
-Nate
Nate,
Thanks you for your response.
I have been contracted to fix up some laptops but at the moment i am in Hawaii attending to some other jobs.
In view of this i want you to handle the fixing of the laptops on agreed terms.If you are capable of handling this get back to me with the total cost for handling each unit based on a total cost of ten units for a start.
This are what need to be done on the laptops.
1 Format Hard Drive
2 Instal Win Xp with Service Pack 2
3 Microsoft Office Package
4 AVG Virus Software (Free Lifetime Updates)
5 Laptop Cleaning of the keyboard, screen and other case.
6 Diagnostics of the entire system after to check hard drive, cdrom,
floppy, etc.
All softwares and licences needed by you are available.
Please get back to me as soon as you get this so we can proceed.
Regards.
Benjamin.
Benjamin,
it is $100 per computer but I can work out a deal with you.
Are you from the Cleveland area?
When will you be in town?
-Nate
Nate,
I'm from Maine,but i got the contract through a colleague,as i told you ealier that i'm presently in hawaii working on some contracts too,wish i was less idle,then i could look for a better deal,but i dont want to loose this project,we could work out a deal,and i can see you are a christian,so i can put my trust in you.cant deal for per computer,lets do it for ,please get back to me ASAP if the deal is good with you.i have 50 units,but get back to me with the cost of 10 units for a start,and lets see if we could do business more.I will want you to send me your full names and address immediately so that i can direct the project manager to prepare a check in your name for payment immediately.Please send me your full names,address and phone number immediately.
Note that i have a relaible shipper who will be responsible for the delivery of the laptops to you and also the pick up after you have completed the job.
I wait to hear from you.
Regards
Benjamin.
I'm not really interested in someone who uses a private shipper. People who don't use the mail service or UPS do so to keep from getting caught. You seem to be running more of a scam.
Also why do you want service pack 2? Service pack 3 is available and you have less of a risk of getting viruses using that.
If your legitimate then be so but don't scam me.
Are there not computer repair people in MAINE?
-Nate
Understand this scam is run like this:
1. They send you a check that is no good for more than the agreed price.
2. They ask you to return the balance of the over payment. Regardless of the amount that's what they make off you. In more recent years they are promising a credit card payment and then saying funds have been delayed and then asking you to pay for shipping through another contact.
Regardless they ask for money from you. No matter what you do, when you are conducting the business deal where you are the vendor remember its not in your best interest to send them money before you have payment. Especially if you have no prior relationship. Scammers will be overly demanding they will act very busy and often be out of state or out of country.
Stay Vigilant!
-Nate
Nate is an IT Professional based in Ohio. He owns DataCom Technologies and serves corporate and consumer customers with managed IT and cyber security services. Visit his website
I saw your advert on craigslist about your ability to repair laptops and computers.I want to know if you are capable of doing this in large quantities.
I hope to hear from you soonest.
Regards
Benjamin
Benjamin,
Yes I can do laptop repair.
How many do you have and where are you located?
-Nate
Nate,
Thanks you for your response.
I have been contracted to fix up some laptops but at the moment i am in Hawaii attending to some other jobs.
In view of this i want you to handle the fixing of the laptops on agreed terms.If you are capable of handling this get back to me with the total cost for handling each unit based on a total cost of ten units for a start.
This are what need to be done on the laptops.
1 Format Hard Drive
2 Instal Win Xp with Service Pack 2
3 Microsoft Office Package
4 AVG Virus Software (Free Lifetime Updates)
5 Laptop Cleaning of the keyboard, screen and other case.
6 Diagnostics of the entire system after to check hard drive, cdrom,
floppy, etc.
All softwares and licences needed by you are available.
Please get back to me as soon as you get this so we can proceed.
Regards.
Benjamin.
Benjamin,
it is $100 per computer but I can work out a deal with you.
Are you from the Cleveland area?
When will you be in town?
-Nate
Nate,
I'm from Maine,but i got the contract through a colleague,as i told you ealier that i'm presently in hawaii working on some contracts too,wish i was less idle,then i could look for a better deal,but i dont want to loose this project,we could work out a deal,and i can see you are a christian,so i can put my trust in you.cant deal for per computer,lets do it for ,please get back to me ASAP if the deal is good with you.i have 50 units,but get back to me with the cost of 10 units for a start,and lets see if we could do business more.I will want you to send me your full names and address immediately so that i can direct the project manager to prepare a check in your name for payment immediately.Please send me your full names,address and phone number immediately.
Note that i have a relaible shipper who will be responsible for the delivery of the laptops to you and also the pick up after you have completed the job.
I wait to hear from you.
Regards
Benjamin.
I'm not really interested in someone who uses a private shipper. People who don't use the mail service or UPS do so to keep from getting caught. You seem to be running more of a scam.
Also why do you want service pack 2? Service pack 3 is available and you have less of a risk of getting viruses using that.
If your legitimate then be so but don't scam me.
Are there not computer repair people in MAINE?
-Nate
Understand this scam is run like this:
1. They send you a check that is no good for more than the agreed price.
2. They ask you to return the balance of the over payment. Regardless of the amount that's what they make off you. In more recent years they are promising a credit card payment and then saying funds have been delayed and then asking you to pay for shipping through another contact.
Regardless they ask for money from you. No matter what you do, when you are conducting the business deal where you are the vendor remember its not in your best interest to send them money before you have payment. Especially if you have no prior relationship. Scammers will be overly demanding they will act very busy and often be out of state or out of country.
Stay Vigilant!
-Nate
Nate is an IT Professional based in Ohio. He owns DataCom Technologies and serves corporate and consumer customers with managed IT and cyber security services. Visit his website
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