Have you gotten an inquiry that looks like this:
Hello I am James Tobby and i am hearing impaired i need to know if you can handle website design for a new company and i also need to know if you accept credit cards as form of payment ?
I have been getting these with increasing frequency. The name always changes, but the content in the first message is always the same. First, they make sure you know they are hearing-impaired and then want to know if you accept credit cards.
When I got the first one of these, I responded with my typical questions and then the next email from them looks something like this:
Here is the job details
I have small scale business which i want to turn into large scale business now and the company is based on importing and exporting of Agriculture products such as Kola Nut, Gacillia Nut and Cocoa so i need a best of the best layout design for it. Can you handle that for me ?. so i need you to check out this site but i need something more perfect than this if its possible. the site would only be informational, so i need you to give me an estimate based on the site i gave you to check out, the estimate should include hosting and i want the same page as the site i gave you to check out and i have a private project consultant, he has the text content and the logos for the site.
Note:
1. I want the same number of pages with the example site i gave you to check excluding videos and blogs.
2. I want only English language
3. I don’t have a domain yet but i want the domain name as rootsnherbs.com
4. you will be updating the site for me.
5. i will be providing the images, logos and content for the site.
6. i want the site up and running before ending of next month.
7. My budget is $4000 to $8000
Kindly get back to me with an estimate asap
This almost seems legit, right. There’s information on what they want, a budget, etc. But not so fast. If you continue to do exchanges with this person, and even go so far as to send a proposal, they will request something odd. Wouldn’t you know that their “project consultant” doesn’t take credit cards? And since you do, they’d like you to charge the full amount to the credit card, then send a payment to their project manager.
Now it’s starting to sound fishy.
There are a lot of people who may not have heard about it, and may think that a great website project just fell into their lap. The reason they claim to be hearing-impaired is so they don’t have to talk to you on the phone, because either they are not good enough actors or else they have thick accents they don’t want you to hear.
What happens if you agree? Well, you charge the card. It goes through, no problem. You send the payment and they cash it. Then you never hear from them again. Who you DO hear from is the credit card company about the fraudulent charge.
And if you take credit cards but haven’t experienced this, if someone calls their credit card company and claims your charge is fraudulent, they take the money right out of your bank account, with very little notice, I might add.
And if you actually sent a check to that person, not only do you lose the original deposit, but you lose the money you sent to their “project consultant” as well.
That’s when you are really in trouble.
I keep getting these messages, almost weekly now, and I can only assume that it’s working and that’s why they keep sending them. This is my warning. Never agree to send money to another contractor on your client’s behalf. This will never end well.
And to these scammers, please STOP.
Amy Masson
Amy is the co-owner, developer, and website strategist for Sumy Designs. She's been making websites with WordPress since 2006 and is passionate about making sure websites are as functional as they are beautiful.
Thankful for this thread! I got a message very similar using a new name: Brian Weeks
Email: br_weeks@outlook.com
“I appreciate your response. I only have a few ideas for this project, so I’d be grateful if you could come up with something better and more distinctive; I’d like a black backdrop with gold text (letters BW FURNITURE) or graphics. My budget for this project is $8000, which includes printing. I want an appealing, mature, and current design.
For the booklet, I need a 16-page 5.5 width x 8.5 height booklet (12 pages inside, 4 pages for the cover; 2000 copies) and I can only supply the text content and photos, but they’re still with my project consultant who is waiting to receive payment. That is being delayed for a few reasons, but hopefully it will all be resolved soon. In the meantime, you should start with the logo design first, and I will be able to send the booklet content after that.
The project has a deadline of August 25th, 2022. BW FURNITURE is the name of the company, and we deal with a wide range of home and office furniture.
Our website isn’t live yet since my web developer is awaiting the logo so that he can create something that complements it and its scope.
For the time being, that is all I can offer from my end; I require a great job. Please estimate the entire cost of the brochure and logo design so that we can move forward.
I would have loved to call you and discuss the project with you over the phone, but I am hard of hearing and therefore cannot hear clearly over the phone, so I connect with you via email, SMS, and lip reading. I hope this is not an issue for you. I’d appreciate it if you could take care of this for me; I’m in Rapid City, South Dakota.
Regards,
Brian”
Thank you so much for writing this article. Miss Sheila Bamford also reached out to me. A quick Google Search brought me to you. Thanks! Am happy to have a guest post on my site from you and link to this article, if you’d like. I’ll try to write one myself, but not sure when I’ll get around to it.
Gratefully yours,
Adam
I just got this today also from a Maxwell Cole
1. Company Name: STAMFORD SPAR
2. My website is under constructions which would be registered soon.
3. I Don’t have a logo yet but would need one to be made by you
4. Full text content and all images for the e-brochure will be submitted to you by the project consultant. You just have to handle the layout.
5. The e-brochure should be 24 in pages (Including front and back cover. I have lot of information already approved. The text and images have also been crosschecked)
6. The size of the e-brochure should be 8.5 X 11.5
7. I want you to add our core values, mission and vision (This information will be provided by the consultant)
8. My budget is not more than $4000
9. I want this delivered in 5-6 weeks to the latest.
Got the exact same email only thing different is the name, Jeremy Todd. I was actually kind of excited to work on this but it seemed super suspect as he just gave his budget upfront with out any type of proposal on my end. So I thought hey I’m gonna throw some of their email into google, and what do ya know! It’s a scam. Now I’m thinking I should waste a bit of their time.
Hello, I just responded to Michelle. Thanks for your tip as well. I just searched John Hartman and lo and behold!
johnhartman532@outloook.com (Moderator please consolidate with previous post, email address was stripped).
Seven years after I wrote this post, and I am still getting these messages. Relentless!
I own a boutique marketing firm, and “Becky Ronald” found us, too! Here’s the email we received which is the exact same as I am seeing here:
I want to establish a company which will be based on sales of furniture such as Kitchen Cabinet, Sofa, Office Chair, Accent tables, King bench, bed etc. I’ll like to know if I got the right contact to a Branding company. I want you to design for me a logo and a brochure.
So, I want you to know that this is the first time I will be doing a Logo design so I can only give you little details then you can decide on designs but I want the color to consist of Black and Gold with an image of an ancient chair. I want a very mature and presentable design and my budget for this project is super flexible
For the Brochure, I want a double folded A4 size brochure with 24 pages and I can only supply(via my project consultant) the text content and photos only but the logo and brochure will be designed by you.
Here are few details:
1) Company Name: BEYHMEEN LUXURY FURNITURE.
2)LOCATION IS HOUSTON TEXAS
3) MY WEBSITE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION WHICH WOULD BE REGISTER VERY SOON.
4) I DON’T HAVE LOGO BUT NEED A CUSTOMIZED LOGO FROM YOU.
5) I COULD ONLY SUPPLY THE TEXT CONTENT AND PHOTO VIA MY LONG TIME PROJECT CONSULTANT.
6) I WANT THE PAGE OF THE BROCHURE TO BE 24 PAGES (INCLUDING FRONT AND BACK COVER) BECAUSE I HAVE LOT OF INFORMATION. THE TEXT AND THE PICTURE IS ALREADY APPROVED AND CROSSCHECK.
7) THE SIZE OF BROCHURE SHOULD BE 8.5 X 11.5.
8) I WILL WANT YOU TO ADD OUR CORE VALUES, MISSION & VISION (I’LL BE THE ONE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH THAT)
9) MY BUDGET IS SUPER FLEXIBLE
10) I WANT THIS DONE LATEST, JUNE ENDING
11) ARE YOU THE OWNER OF THE COMPANY?
So please get back to me with an estimate for the designs listed above
Thank you.
Becky Ronald
________________________________________
So grateful to you for posting this! I’ve been contacted twice this year.
Wow, just got this email from Becky. Sounded fishy and I google the name of the company and found your article. Thank you for posting it!
Thank you Amy for this post! I received an email today from someone I didn’t know, but with identical wording to one I received a few weeks ago, which rang alarm bells – some Googling brought up your post. It seems that the line “very mature and presentable” is a common thread amongst these scam emails.
For what it’s worth, the two senders of the exact same word-for-word emails I received are Lon Beutke and Robin Peterson.
Stay vigilant everyone 🙂
Thanks for sharing. I also googled part of the ‘Scope’ and landed here.
INQUIRY:
First Name: Becky
Last Name: Ronald
Email Address: Becky2ronald@outlook.com
Message: We would love you to help our company with Branding. I look forward to hearing from you soon
MY RESPONSE:
Hello Becky, good to hear from you.
Happy to chat, what kind of business do you have? Please provide me with some more details and we can go from there.
Thanks
THEIR REPLY:
Thanks for getting back to me.
I want to establish a company which will be based on sales of furniture such as Kitchen Cabinet, Sofa, Office Chair, Accent tables, King bench, bed etc. I’ll like to know if I got the right contact to a Branding company. I want you to design for me a logo and a brochure.
So, I want you to know that this is the first time I will be doing a Logo design so I can only give you little details then you can decide on designs but I want the color to consist of Black and Gold with an image of an ancient chair. I want a very mature and presentable design and my budget for this project is super flexible
For the Brochure, I want a double folded A4 size brochure with 24 pages and I can only supply(via my project consultant) the text content and photos only but the logo and brochure will be designed by you.
Here are few details:
1) Company Name: BELLRONE LUXURY FURNITURE.
2)LOCATION IS HOUSTON TEXAS
3) MY WEBSITE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION WHICH WOULD BE REGISTER VERY SOON.
4) I DON’T HAVE LOGO BUT NEED A CUSTOMIZED LOGO FROM YOU.
5) I COULD ONLY SUPPLY THE TEXT CONTENT AND PHOTO VIA MY LONG TIME PROJECT CONSULTANT.
6) I WANT THE PAGE OF THE BROCHURE TO BE 24 PAGES (INCLUDING FRONT AND BACK COVER) BECAUSE I HAVE LOT OF INFORMATION. THE TEXT AND THE PICTURE IS ALREADY APPROVED AND CROSSCHECK.
7) THE SIZE OF BROCHURE SHOULD BE 8.5 X 11.5.
8) I WILL WANT YOU TO ADD OUR CORE VALUES, MISSION & VISION (I’LL BE THE ONE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH THAT)
9) MY BUDGET IS SUPER FLEXIBLE
10) I WANT THIS DONE LATEST, APRIL ENDING
11) ARE YOU THE OWNER OF THE COMPANY?
So please get back to me with an estimate for the designs listed above
MY RESPONSE:
Thanks for the details, a branding project with us is 30K
Let’s have a virtual meeting this week to acquaint ourselves and discuss scope details.
‘BECKY’S’ RESPONSE:
Sounds good !
After reviewing the price quote, I think we should continue with the next step since we already have a deadline to meet. This email also confirms my readiness to approve your route and also to proceed further.
Please I’d your payment information so that i can issue out your deposit payment in form of check payment mailed and address to your US based individual/company or your partner since that is my only available payment method right now.
1. Full name on check:
2. US Mailing address with Apt/Rm # if needed (No PO Box):
3. Your direct cell phone number :
4. 90% deposit amount due (I can also pay in full):
As informed earlier, the consultant has the necessary content (all) for the design and will be in touch as soon as there is a payment/contract agreement.
I could have called your cell but I am unfortunately in Asia right now and won’t be available for calls until I get back to the states . Email should do justice and would always try to reply email fast.
Please let me know if there is any paperwork to sign and you can send it so that I can sign it electronically.
Stay safe in this uncertain time
—————————————————————— THE END
CLEARLY A SCAMMER!!!!!!!
Miss Becky Ronald just sent me the exact same email! Glad I looked it up here before I referred it to my friend.
Thanks for sharing this! I received an identical email. Looked fishy to me too, so I’m glad I found this thread.
Haha, I get these every 2 weeks. A Michelle Benson this time. I think I’ll send them this blog site url.
Here’s the email I got for your entertainment:
===============================
Thank you for your reply. I only have a few Ideas which I would appreciate if you can make a better and unique; I want a color black background and pink image of maybe a dress , or a lady with shopping bags I want an attractive, matured and presentable design and my budget for this project is $1000-$5000.
For the booklet, I want an 8-page 5.5 width x 8.5 height booklet and I can only supply the text content and photos but all are with my project consultant currently who is awaiting payment which is being delayed for a few reasons but hopefully soon it will all be sorted, meanwhile you have to start with the logo design first, I will be able to send the booklet content afterwards. The due date for the project is 25th May. The company name is Michelle Clothing INC, we sew and sell ready-made designer clothes. And our website is still under construction.
That is all I can provide from my end and I need a more perfect Job. Kindly let me know the total cost of the Brochure and Logo Design.
I would have loved to call you and discuss the project with you on the phone but I am hard of hearing so I do not hear clearly on the phone which is why I communicate via email, texts and lips reading, I hope this is not a problem for you? I will be glad if you can handle this for me and I will meet you in person after this design is done because I am presently on a business trip.
Please let me know how much it would cost to execute the project even if it exceeds my budget . I am willing to make a 50% deposit by credit card or mailing you a cashier’s check. I hope that is okay with you.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Warm regards,
Michelle.
===============================
Hello,
Yes, we do logo and pamphlet designs.
Do you have an existing logo to modify, or are we building something from scratch? As for the pamphlet, we need to know the amount of content, etc to give you a proposal and quote.
The more information you give us about your organization, the more detailed proposal and quote we can provide you with.
Thank you.
===============================
> On Feb 22, 2022, at 8:14 PM, Michelle Benson wrote:
>
> How are you doing ? I ran over your contact on your facebook page. I might want to know whether you can run a logo and pamphlet project for my organization. If indeed, sympathetically react back for additional subtleties .
>
> Best Regards,
>
> Michelle.
I got this exact same message from a John Stones. Scammers really will try anything…
I’m an Illustrator. Got the same email frequently from the scammers. Today I searched on Google about this and got this post! Thanks a lot for this post!
#1s email from Maxwell Thomas (11 January):
1. Company Name: STAMFORD SPAR
2. My website is under constructions which would be registered soon.
3. I Don’t have a logo yet but would need one to be made by you
4. Full text content and all images for the e-brochure will be submitted to you by the project consultant. You just have to handle the layout.
5. The e-brochure should be 24 in pages (Including front and back cover. I have lot of information already approved. The text and images have also been crosschecked)
6. The size of the e-brochure should be 8.5 X 11.5
7. I want you to add our core values, mission and vision (This information will be provided by the consultant)
8. My budget is not more than $4000
9. I want this delivered in 5-6 weeks to the latest.
#2nd email from Johnson Smith (today):
Here’s what I’m looking to have done.
it’s a newly established company. Do drop your cell number so we can discuss better.
The company is really based on sales of furniture such as Ottomans, Desk lamps, Sectional, Buffets & Sideboards, Counter & Bar Stools, Kitchen Cabinet, Sofa, Office Chair, Accent tables, King bench bed, etc.
The company name is “Adornium”
My Website Is Under Fabrication Which Would Be Registered Soon.
The Full-Text Content And All Images For The Catalog Will Be Submitted To You By The Project Consultant You’ll Just Handle The Layout.
The Brochure Should Be 44 Pages (Including Front And Back Cover) Because I Have Lot Information, Approved And Crosscheck Text And Images.
The Size Of Brochure Should Be 8.5 x 11.
I’ll want you to add to my mission, value, vision, etc to the catalog, I’ll have it sent to you.
I’ve just got the same message!
Thanks so much for posting this!!
The name of the scammer that target us is:
Becky Ronald SCAMMER!!! BEWARE!!!
Best wishes for you all!
HG
PS Please see the message below:
Thanks for getting back to me.
I want to establish a company which will be based on sales of furniture such as Kitchen Cabinet, Sofa, Office Chair, Accent tables, King bench, bed etc. I’ll like to know if I got the right contact to a Branding company. I want you to design for me a logo and a brochure.
So, I want you to know that this is the first time I will be doing a Logo design so I can only give you little details then you can decide on designs but I want the color to consist of Black and Gold with an image of an ancient chair. I want a very mature and presentable design and my budget for this project is super flexible
For the Brochure, I want a double folded A4 size brochure with 24 pages and I can only supply(via my project consultant) the text content and photos only but the logo and brochure will be designed by you.
Here are few details:
1) Company Name: BELLRONE LUXURY FURNITURE.
2)LOCATION IS HOUSTON TEXAS
3) MY WEBSITE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION WHICH WOULD BE REGISTER VERY SOON.
4) I DON’T HAVE LOGO BUT NEED A CUSTOMIZED LOGO FROM YOU.
5) I COULD ONLY SUPPLY THE TEXT CONTENT AND PHOTO VIA MY LONG TIME PROJECT CONSULTANT.
6) I WANT THE PAGE OF THE BROCHURE TO BE 24 PAGES (INCLUDING FRONT AND BACK COVER) BECAUSE I HAVE LOT OF INFORMATION. THE TEXT AND THE PICTURE IS ALREADY APPROVED AND CROSSCHECK.
7) THE SIZE OF BROCHURE SHOULD BE 8.5 X 11.5.
8) I WILL WANT YOU TO ADD OUR CORE VALUES, MISSION & VISION (I’LL BE THE ONE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH THAT)
9) MY BUDGET IS SUPER FLEXIBLE
10) I WANT THIS DONE LATEST, APRIL ENDING
11) ARE YOU THE OWNER OF THE COMPANY?
Becky just hit me with “BEYHMEEN LUXURY FURNITURE” instead of bellrone, but literally everything else was verbatim. So glad I trusted my gut and Google searched this before saying anything else.
JUST got the same email – word for word! just, a different name. They found me and messaged me on instagram first before emailing.
I’m so confused because they agreed to full payment up front? How does the scam work?
I got an email identical to the first one on 3/4/22 except with the name Jeremy todd.
I just had this one. Came from a guy called Alex Parham (parhamalex22@gmail.com). Started off chatting via my Google Business Profile. I was immediately suspicious when his first question was asking if I accepted credit cards or “checks” as payment.
Thanks to all of you! Got the same fake lead yesterday (1/27/22) from David Hope. All it took was a quick search of the email: officei296@gmail.com, to land here.
Hello Thanks for logging all these
Here is mine from Sheila Bamford on 06-01-2022
I’ll like to know if I got the right contact to a promotional videographer. I want you to create for me a promotional/instructional video for my new company, based on production and sales of
organic foods (plant-based food and drinks). The content created will be used on the company website and also displayed on installed HD TV in my restaurants.
1. Company Name: SHEYMEEN ESSENTIAL NUTRIENT INC.
2. My website is under construction which would be registered soon.
3. Full text content, background music and pictures for this design contents will be submitted to you by my project consultant. You just have to handle the layout and the design
4. I want you to add our core values, mission and vision (This information will be provided by the consultant)
5. My budget for the 3 videos is not more than $6000
6. I want this delivered in 3-4 weeks to the latest.
7. Videos will be animated
My Goals about the project:
You will produce 3 videos, each featuring a different template as selected by me (see below), with an approximate segment time of 120 seconds each. You will deliver 6 videos (1080p); 3 original raw videos and 3 edited videos, one for each original video. Below are the inspirational video templates below:
1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8xRBTvbA0U
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEdam6FgZfA
3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5w1OGknhlc
All videos will have background music and company logo which also be delivered to you by the project consultant.
SHEYMEEN ESSENTIAL NUTRIENT INC. is pet project and same time a business avenue for me. I will be 10 years a vegan in May and I hope to expand the business (and my brand then)
To my customers, SHEYMEEN ESSENTIAL NUTRIENT INC. should be able to provide over 500 plant-derived minerals that can improve the value of foods, liquids, nutritional formulations and cosmeceuticals.
That way also improving value of life. Whoever purchase our products would have a guarantee of good living and relish.
Our uniqueness will be privilege of our 5 locations around Texas and online store. Our products are also 100 percent plant-based produce under strict standards from International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM). Our brand and style would also stand us out.
Other project essentials:
I want you to know that this is the first time I will be doing a promotional/informational video so I can only give you little details but you can give a better price quote and work based on the sample templates given above. The videos provided are our inspiration and how the preferred promotional videos should look like.
Kindly get back to me with:
(1) a price estimate/quote based on the inspirational videos :
(2) your cell phone number:
(3) And will like to know if you are the owner ?
Keep safe and protect yourself from the virus.
Regards,
Sheila Bamford
Follow up on 14JAN21 which rang the alarm bells……..
I am unfortunately not near a call for now. This is the problem. I have covid and quarantined somewhere in SE Asia. Phone calls are not allowed in the ward and in recovery where I am presently. This is why I have decided to do all via email and run my business like nothing happened.
I would be glad to answer all questions here and fast. Happy new year.
I hope you understand
Just wanted to also comment that I got a fishy inquiry…. details below:
Bash Koli
Jan 10, 2022, 7:41 AM (1 day ago)
Hello I would like to make an inquiry if you can handle Brochure and Logo Design for my personal company? Kindly get back to me for more details regarding the full scope of the project Thanks.
Regards
Bash Koli Gregory
—
I replied:
Good Afternoon –
Logo design and brochure design are certainly in my wheelhouse.
Can you tell me a little more about the project, as well as what your timeline is?
What will the logo/brochure be used for?
Do you have a company name already?
Do you have colors in mind you wish to use?
How large of a brochure do you need (overall size, pages, etc).
Will it be direct mailed or just passed out?
Do you have a brochure printer or do you need assistance with that as well?
Those are just a few questions to get started. Let me know and then I can give you a better idea of the pricing and my own timeline.
Thanks,
SLR
—
Their reply:
Thank you for your reply. I only have a few Ideas which I would appreciate if you can make a better and unique; I want a color black background and pink image of maybe a dress , or a lady with shopping bags I want an attractive, matured and presentable design and my budget for this project is $2000-$3000.
For the booklet, I want an 8-page 5.5 width x 8.5 height booklet and I can only supply the text content and photos but all are with my project consultant currently who is awaiting payment which is being delayed for a few reasons but hopefully soon it will all be sorted, meanwhile you have to start with the logo design first, I will be able to send the booklet content afterwards. The due date for the project is 25th March 2022. The company name is Rose Gregory Clothing INC, we sew, and sell ready-made designer wears. And our website is still under construction.
That is all i can provide from my end and I need a more perfect Job. Kindly let me know the total cost of the Brochure and Logo Design.
I would have loved to call you and discuss the project with you on the phone but I am hard of hearing so I do not hear clearly on the phone which is why I communicate via email, texts and lips reading, I hope this is not a problem for you? I will be glad if you can handle this for me and I will meet you in person after this design is done because I am presently on a business trip.
Please let me know how much it would cost to execute the project even if it exceeds my budget . I am willing to make a 50% deposit by credit card or mailing you a cashier’s check. I hope that is okay with you.
I look forward to hear from you soon.
Warm regards,
Bash Koli Gregory
—
THEY ALSO TEXT MY CELL AT THIS TIME, TO WHICH I BECAME SUSPICIOUS AND DID NOT REPLY VIA TEXT… ONLY EMAIL:
Hi Bash –
Thanks for reaching out. I’m not sure that I have the bandwidth for this type of project at the time at that price point. I’m taking a sabbatical currently and don’t plan to start any new client projects until the end of February, and I feel like that may be too short of a timeline.
Thanks for following up. If you need referred to someone, let me know.
SLR
—
Their reply:
Like i said in that email i said The due date for the project is 25th March 2022 but am not sure if you go through the second email i sent to you
—
My reply:
Hi, yes I did get it.
A month is a pretty short turnaround for branding and a booklet of that size.
Can I also ask how you heard of me or who referred you to me? Also, do you have any other business entities or other projects you’ve been working on so I can see your style so that I might be able to refer you to someone who can take on the job?
—
Their reply:
I got your information on social media
****************
I scoured my socials and no one with that name or anything similar follows or is connected to me. I didn’t want to come across as rude, however my gut initially said it was a scam and clearly I was right. It blows my mind that someone would go through all of this trouble… we are self-employed designers and marketers… sniffing out bogus money and jobs is 2nd nature LOL. At least it should be.
Thank you @Sarah for submitting this, I got the exact same text from someone named Patrick Famous. I’m replying here in case anyone googles the name.
Everyone here please take note of these warning flags on any email you receive: (nothing new here LOL)
• spells own name with lower case/no capitals
• lack of punctuation
• use of “kindly”
• bad grammer “I will like to make an inquiry”
• they all seem to use the phrase “for more details regarding the full scope of the project”
Stay strong, good people!
I just got almost same email exempt it’s Furniture company with same name! I am sure it’s a scam and I usually ask for 50% deposit in these cases to make sure. If they are legit so I won’t waste my time!
Thank you everyone who has posted and Sumydesigns.com for the original info. Here’s what I got:
angelscottt410@gmail.com
Logo & Brochure Design
I’m setting up a new company. I would like to make an inquiry if you can handle Brochure and Logo Design for my personal company? Kindly get back to me so I can send you more details regarding the full details of the project. Thanks.
I came across your page on Facebook.
Regards.
Mrs Angela.
Thanks. I only have little details then you can decide on designs you can do, but I want the color to consist of Black and Gold with an image of an ancient chair. I want a very mature and presentable design and my budget for this project is $1,000-4,000.
I want the logo should be form of Emblem Geometric shape, for the Brochure I want a Bi-Ford-A4 size brochure left -right panel with 2 pages and I can only supply the text content and photos, but all are with my project consultant, but the logo and brochure will be designed by you and the due date for the project is 15th of Match 2022.
HERE ARE THE DETAILS AND PROCEDURE OF THE JOB:
1) Company Name: AScott FURNITURE INC
2) MY WEBSITE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION WHICH WOULD BE REGISTER VERY SOON
3) I DON’T HAVE LOGO BUT NEED A CUSTOMIZED LOGO FROM YOU
4) I COULD ONLY SUPPLY THE TEXT CONTENT AND PHOTO AND ALL ARE WITH MY PROJECT CONSULTANT, BUT THE ARTWORK WILL BE DESIGNED BY YOU
That is all I can provide from my end and I need a more perfect Job. Kindly let me know the total cost of the Brochure and Logo Design.
I would have loved to call you and discuss the project with you on the phone but I am hard of hearing so I do not hear clearly on the phone which is why I communicate via email, texts and lips reading, I hope this is not a problem for you? I will be glad if you can handle this for me.
Thank you.
Mrs Angela.
I received this email today! PLEASE BE AWARE!
I’ll like to know if I got the right contact to a promotional videographer. I want you to create for me a promotional/instructional video for my new company, based on production and sales of
organic foods (plant-based food and drinks). The content created will be used on the company website and also displayed on installed HD TV in my restaurants.
1. Company Name: SHEYMEEN ESSENTIAL NUTRIENT INC.
2. My website is under construction which would be registered soon.
3. Full text content, background music and pictures for this design contents will be submitted to you by my project consultant. You just have to handle the layout and the design
4. I want you to add our core values, mission and vision (This information will be provided by the consultant)
5. My budget for the 3 videos is not more than $6000
6. I want this delivered in 3-4 weeks to the latest.
7. Videos will be animated
My Goals about the project:
You will produce 3 videos, each featuring a different template as selected by me (see below), with an approximate segment time of 120 seconds each. You will deliver 6 videos (1080p); 3 original raw videos and 3 edited videos, one for each original video. Below are the inspirational video templates below:
1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8xRBTvbA0U
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEdam6FgZfA
3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5w1OGknhlc
All videos will have background music and company logo which also be delivered to you by the project consultant.
SHEYMEEN ESSENTIAL NUTRIENT INC. is pet project and same time a business avenue for me. I will be 10 years a vegan in May and I hope to expand the business (and my brand then)
To my customers, SHEYMEEN ESSENTIAL NUTRIENT INC. should be able to provide over 500 plant-derived minerals that can improve the value of foods, liquids, nutritional formulations and cosmeceuticals.
That way also improving value of life. Whoever purchase our products would have a guarantee of good living and relish.
Our uniqueness will be privilege of our 5 locations around Texas and online store. Our products are also 100 percent plant-based produce under strict standards from International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM). Our brand and style would also stand us out.
Other project essentials:
I want you to know that this is the first time I will be doing a promotional/informational video so I can only give you little details but you can give a better price quote and work based on the sample templates given above. The videos provided are our inspiration and how the preferred promotional videos should look like.
Kindly get back to me with:
(1) a price estimate/quote based on the inspirational videos :
(2) your cell phone number:
(3) And will like to know if you are the owner ?
Keep safe and protect yourself from the virus.
Regards,
Sheila Bamford
Same. Adornium furniture company. I said nay nay.
Yes, siree! Here is mine:
I want to establish a company which will be based on sales of furniture such as Kitchen Cabinet, Sofa, Office Chair, Accent tables, King bench, bed etc. I’ll like to know if I got the right contact to a Branding company. I want you to design for me a logo and a brochure.
So, I want you to know that this is the first time I will be doing a Logo design so I can only give you little details then you can decide on designs but I want the color to consist of Black and Gold with an image of an ancient chair. I want a very mature and presentable design and my budget for this project is super flexible
For the Brochure, I want a double folded A4 size brochure with 24 pages and I can only supply(via my project consultant) the text content and photos only but the logo and brochure will be designed by you.
Here are few details:
1) Company Name: BHEYMEEN LUXURY FURNITURE.
2)LOCATION IS HOUSTON TEXAS
3) MY WEBSITE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION WHICH WOULD BE REGISTER VERY SOON.
4) I DON’T HAVE LOGO BUT NEED A CUSTOMIZED LOGO FROM YOU.
5) I COULD ONLY SUPPLY THE TEXT CONTENT AND PHOTO VIA MY LONG TIME PROJECT CONSULTANT.
6) I WANT THE PAGE OF THE BROCHURE TO BE 24 PAGES (INCLUDING FRONT AND BACK COVER) BECAUSE I HAVE LOT OF INFORMATION. THE TEXT AND THE PICTURE IS ALREADY APPROVED AND CROSSCHECK.
7) THE SIZE OF BROCHURE SHOULD BE 8.5 X 11.5.
8) I WILL WANT YOU TO ADD OUR CORE VALUES, MISSION & VISION (I’LL BE THE ONE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH THAT)
9) MY BUDGET IS SUPER FLEXIBLE
10) I WANT THIS DONE LATEST, FEBRUARY ENDING
11) ARE YOU THE OWNER OF THE COMPANY?
So please get back to me with an estimate for the designs listed above
Thank you.
Brittany Heady
Crazy! I just got the same email and text message from someone named “Johnson Smith” – except now he wants a catalog and not the brochure. I called the number and it went through Google and landed on some girl answering…she said she didn’t know anything.
Thanks for posting this. I always do a bit of due diligence before accepting new clients.
In this case I found the post searching “Brittany Heady” as I couldn’t find a trace of the company anywhere.
We’re based in the UK and don’t often work overseas so this stood out immediately as being off. Can confirm that we received exactly the same brief.
Suspect.
thank you for posting, i recently received a similar message
Sheilabamford21@outlook.com
Sheila Bamford
Tue, Oct 26, 8:23 AM
to me
I have a consultant that has the necessary content for the e-brochure, logo etc. and will be in touch as soon as there is a payment/contract agreement. The consultant will provide all content of the brochure as well as the logo. My budget is flexible but does not exceed 15k USD.
Let me know if i can get a price estimate/proposal soon so that we can proceed with we already have a deadline. Please have a price quote based on earlier requirement given to you.
Keep safe and protect yourself from the virus.
then after some exchanges:
[12:35 PM, 11/17/2021] Sheila Bamford : Hello pia
[12:53 PM, 11/17/2021] Pia: Hi Sheila, i wanted to know if you are available to chat about your project
[3:28 PM, 11/17/2021] Sheila Bamford : Thank you Pia do you know when the check will be deposited?
[3:28 PM, 11/17/2021] Pia: Should be accredited by start of next week
[3:28 PM, 11/17/2021] Sheila Bamford : has the check been deposited already?
[3:29 PM, 11/17/2021] Pia: No
[3:29 PM, 11/17/2021] Sheila Bamford : when will this happen?
[3:29 PM, 11/17/2021] Pia: I don’t have it yet but But it was delivered today apparently
[3:29 PM, 11/17/2021] Pia: I will get the check in hand tomorrow or Friday
[3:29 PM, 11/17/2021] Pia: It’s at my office
[3:50 PM, 11/17/2021] Sheila Bamford : okay i just replied your email
[4:55 PM, 11/17/2021] Pia: Sheila thanks -we have a policy to not receive any money until we know have details about the project . We do this to avoid any future misunderstandings.
I hope you can understand
[4:55 PM, 11/17/2021] Pia: If it doesn’t work for you, we understand and it is not a problem
[4:56 PM, 11/17/2021] Pia: We need the brand name, information about the target audience, at least one call with you or your consultant and information about your products and competition
[7:58 AM, 11/18/2021] Sheila Bamford : good morning Pia
[7:59 AM, 11/18/2021] Sheila Bamford : I assure you there wont be any misunderstanding. I am not liable to give out the consultant information or contact until she gets her payment. This is because i signed an agreement with her and that agreement says i must pay about 90 percent of her funds before any contact with you. I hope you understand that i do not want to go against this signed agreement.
[8:02 AM, 11/18/2021] Sheila Bamford : However, Brand name is KEYMETH LUXURY FURNITURE and my target would any american that likes Asian furniture style. Thank you
[8:02 AM, 11/18/2021] Sheila Bamford : i am also new in the business so i have no competition
[8:03 AM, 11/18/2021] Sheila Bamford : in lieu of that, I would be waiting to hear from you as soon as the check has been deposited for clearance. Please advise.
[8:08 AM, 11/18/2021] Pia: Hi, I understand but it is not the way work. We’ve reviewed the case and won’t be moving forward with the project. I’m sorry for any inconvenience caused
[8:09 AM, 11/18/2021] Sheila Bamford : what about the check?
[8:31 AM, 11/18/2021] Pia: I will destroy it and show you a picture
[8:32 AM, 11/18/2021] Sheila Bamford : ok
Thanks Pia, I’ve also just received an unsolicited email from this email account, which looked ‘off’ and had a useless phone number.
Hey Sally, so what did you do with that? any update?
I also received a query from sheilabamford21@outlook.com today, she wants me to help her with a website’s SEO. It could be a scam, right?
What could the possible “method” scammer be using in this case? I got an email from Sheilabamford21@outlook.com saying she needs SEO for her restaurant. Then we started asking for a US address to post the check (I was like she is a really bad actor haha). Well, I can clearly see she is not genuine but out of my curiosity, I wanted to know how she cheats others because she is ready to send the check and hasn’t asked me for any money?
Thank you for this post. Received this scam from: David Hope officei296@gmail.com.
I received an email a couple days ago, believing that I had scored a nice project for the end of the month. The name was Richard Paul, email richardpaul460@gmail.com, phone 919-421-1779. I was hesitant but as a graphic artist for hire, I decided to continue with the details and moved forward with communication because I was unsure if it was genuine. I explained my terms of hire, 50 up front 50 after, they replied great, but would not use Venmo for the transactions, only a monthly service that I would need to purchase, even though they said they would cover the costs (mad sus). I supplied my artist contract (very generic, all non-personal info) at the same time as letting them know that I use venmo, but being suspicious, I googled the email and found this chain, which states WORD FOR WORD the communication sent to me by Mr. Richard. Below is what I was sent, so that no one else is scammed!
—–
“Thanks for your response. I need help logo design and catalog.
Here are the details, it’s a newly established company. Do drop your cellphone number so we can discuss better?
This company is really based on sales of furniture such as Kitchen Cabinet, Sofa, Office Chair, Accent tables, King bench bed etc.
Ø Company Name: EXECUTIVE FURNITURE & HOME.
Ø MY WEBSITE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION WHICH WOULD BE REGISTER VERY SOON.
Ø I DON’T HAVE LOGO BUT NEED A CUSTOMIZED LOGO FROM YOU.
Ø I COULD ONLY SUPPLY THE TEXT CONTENT AND PHOTO ALL ARE WITH THE PROJECT CONSULTANT YOU WILL JUST HANDLE THE LAYOUT.
Ø I WANT THE PAGE OF THE BROCHURE TO BE 24 PAGES (INCLUDING FRONT AND BACK COVER) BECAUSE I HAVE LOT INFORMATION. THE TEXT AND THE PICTURE IS APPROVED AND CROSSCHECK.
Ø THE SIZE OF BROCHURE SHOULD BE 8.5 X 11.
Ø I WILL WANT YOU TO ADD OUR CORE VALUES, MISSION & VISION( I’LL SEND THEM TO YOU)
Thanks & Regards!”
—–
Very unfortunate, glad I caught it early on before any information was shared. Be safe out there, artists!
Here’s mine. What a coincidence! Glad I googled it right away. Thank you all for this thread! Saved me a headache!
—————————————————————
Hi Sebastian,
How are you doing?
Good to hear from you. Yes I still need you for my project. My company is an online furniture store.
I based in California but I’m currently in Delaware for medical purposes. I’m currently recuperating from the diagnosis of lungs cancer, my first surgery went successfully. I’ll undergo my second surgery soon.
My budget for the is $3000-$4000
I need help with logo design and catalog.
Here are the details, it’s a newly established company. Do drop your cellphone number so we can discuss better?
This company is really based on sales of furniture such as Kitchen Cabinet, Sofa, Office Chair, Accent tables, King bench bed etc.
Ø Company Name: EXECUTIVE FURNITURE & HOME.
Ø MY WEBSITE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION WHICH WOULD BE REGISTER VERY SOON.
Ø I DON’T HAVE LOGO BUT NEED A CUSTOMIZED LOGO FROM YOU.
Ø I COULD ONLY SUPPLY THE TEXT CONTENT AND PHOTO ALL ARE WITH THE PROJECT CONSULTANT YOU WILL JUST HANDLE THE LAYOUT.
Ø I WANT THE PAGE OF THE BROCHURE TO BE 24 PAGES (INCLUDING FRONT AND BACK COVER) BECAUSE I HAVE LOT INFORMATION. THE TEXT AND THE PICTURE IS APPROVED AND CROSSCHECK.
Ø THE SIZE OF BROCHURE SHOULD BE 8.5 X 11.
Ø I WILL WANT YOU TO ADD OUR CORE VALUES, MISSION & VISION( I’LL SEND THEM TO YOU)
—————————————————————————————
Must be the same scam….
Miles Gayle
Mon, Jul 19, 11:37 AM
to me
Hello, I’m Miles, I desire to know your ability in ‘Logo and Brochure Design’ for my personal company? Do get in touch, so I can forward to you more details, as regards the full scope of the project with a limited time frame of Oct. Thanks.
Regard
Miles Gayle
Miles Gayle
Mon, Jul 26, 9:09 AM
to me
Alright, that’s fine, I’ll like to tell you some details while you can decide on the design, I will want the color of the logo to be Orange and cream with a brown background with an image of a straight house, I want a very pure and presentable design. The brochure I want is a double parallel, size 8.5 x 11 brochure with 8 pages catalog and I can only supply the text content and photos but all are with my project management but the logo and brochure will be designed by you and the due date for the project is 25th of Oct 2021. My proposed company name is Milesgayle Interior LLC, we are into interior design, painting, space management, furniture supply and we also give architectural drawing. Our firm is enlisted in a wide array of services that include both full-scale projects and design collaboration, in addition to oversight of construction with the architect, contractors, and clients. Our exquisite design sensibility can be seen in homes across the States. Our services also include working alongside the top architects and builders throughout the blueprint stages and construction to ensure project management and detailed development oversight. Here are a few things I could provide from my end. You can just ask me anything else you want to know so as to assist you in the achievement of the project as I will so appreciate a well-perfected job. I will want you to let me know the cost of the logo and brochure as regards your quote. On the Logo procedure, I don’t have a logo but need a customized logo from you which will have a straight house design in the background from the company name as the logo. I’ll have the text content and photo supply to you through my project management while you will be the one to design the artwork, I just want to achieve a very bespoke design that will speak more about our interior design, our official website is still under development which I am sure should be ready just very soon before the project is completed so with that you will have more scope and idea of the company. My budget for the design project is $4000-$5500. I will be much more glad if you can handle this for me and hopefully if possible we could meet upon completion of this design project. Thank you
Used the same phone number as listen in previous comments 518.503.4407 Just finished the logo and was about to contact them for payment but came across this post.
I just got one of these asking for Logo design from kennethcarpenter410@gmail.com. When I suggested we talk on the phone he said,
“I am not available to make phone calls right now due to my hearing problem. I’m going through my pulsatile tinnitus treatment. Let me know if things can work out through email. We should explain to each other more fear better. I await your response soon.”
—
Yikes! Had a creepy feeling about it. I am so glad I found your post. Grateful! Wishing you much success in your business!
I got the same email actually and when I agreed to work on it, I included if he head any preference on font or color scheme. He ignored those questions and wrote:
“Thanks for your interest in working with me, I have reviewed your message and everything sounds great to me. What you charged sounds good to me,
You have to understand that the payment will be issued through a Cashier’s check. That is the preferred way to pay in certain financial situations right now from my financial associate as a small business owner, It may be in the form of a guarantee check that you’re going to cash at your bank the same day. Just want to let you know that your acceptance of working the logo is what I really appreciate right now after reading from you.”
—
Uhh…no.
RECEIVED same from richanderson991@gmail.com
for a company called Adornium
and a similar one from clarksonr07@gmail.com> a few months ago.
I just got an email from clarksonr07@gmail.com as well! It was pretty obviously a scam, but I’m still glad I googled it. I kind want to drag this out and mess them now that I know…
I received an email this morning when I respond to it I get this back the kicker is that his email is actually tied to that domain of the business. Once I read the below email, I said to myself this sounds like a scam, so I took the beginning of the email and Googled it and your site came up first.
I appreciate your feedback, Of course, I do have a website to be created. Below are my project details.
Here are the job details, I have a small scale business which I want to turn into a large scale business, located in Texas. My is company based on importing and exporting Sport wears such as running jackets, jersey, dancewear, socks, boots, etc. for both adult youth ladies and girls, so I need the best of the best layout design for it. Can you handle that for me? The site will be informational and a shopping ability for future purposes. So I need you to give me an estimate based on my want below, the estimate should include hosting and I have a project consultant working on the content, logo, and images.
WHAT I WANT:
I need a straightforward informational website that shows the products that I sell and a shopping function.
(4 main pages)
HOME PAGE
ABOUT US
OUR PRODUCTS (gallery) – about 25 products for now and adding 5-10 new products every month. I want the product to classified into four pages, which are
Male: Adult and children
Female: Adult and children
Also want a search box on the product page to limit the stress of the client searching for their desire product.
CONTACT US – with a form to fill out so that they can get in contact with me.
Domain name I want- “mikesportwear.com” or anything along that line.
TIMELINE- this should go “live” in 3 months.
Note:
1. I want only English language.
2. You will be updating the site for me.
3. I will be proving the images, logos, and content for the website.
4. I want the site up and running before the end of the next two months.
5. My budget is $1000 to $6000.
6. Shopping functions.
7. The site will be mobile-friendly.
8. I don’t want a sitemap.
9. I have 25 products on it.
Kindly get back to me with:
1. An estimate
2. Your cell phone number
3. Do you accept credit cards as payment?
Regards
—
Mike
Mike Sports Wear
I receive the same email, I asked for a call, he called me with a funny accent (is not a native American) this is the number he uses to call me: 9152665109 from El Paso, TX.
Hi all, same here for me. Got the email 4 days ago and decided to answer back. Though I was just lucky to get a client out of the blue. After a chat over email with a Richard Anderson (richanderson991@gmail.com) and gave them my cell phone number (I am so stupid), I decided before working on a proposal to Google the company name Adornium and found this priceless post. The emails I received from them is the same as anyone else here, about a furniture company named Adornium who wants a 44 pages brochure 8″x11″ and logo, bla, bla…
He texted me on my cellphone, so I decided to call back to have a chat over the phone. He answered in english with a big asian accent (really hard to understand) and he said is from Minnesota (I am in Canada!). Here’s the phone number he was calling from 320-270-7103.
However, thanks for writing this post, it saved me time and money. Cheers!
I got the same similar email yesterday from Louis Karks.
This moron wanted more “design samples” because the dozens on my website just weren’t enough. I got another email this morning saying what the details were the turnaround time, due dates & of course… his budget. I went on Google, copied & pasted some of the “meat & potatoes” from his initial email then… WALLAH, your story/experience came up.
I will not share with this group what the choice words were in my recent reply back to him BUT, let’s just say that me, being born & raised in Brooklyn, utilized much of my wording & vocabulary learned from there.
It looks like LOUIS KARKS is back.
I did a quick search when I first for the message but couldn’t find anything. Since he completed our intake form with actual info, we fell for the scam and corresponded further. He approved the proposal, asked to be invoiced and that is when things crumbled. After he claimed he couldn’t pay via PayPal because it was insecure, I did another in-depth search and found the comment from Len Assante (thank you!)
One problem in parsing out real from fake clients is that many real clients have the oddest Gmail accounts and use terrible English.
Here is his info:
Louis Karks
Karks Interiors Inc.
kfineme@gmail.com
518-503-4407
These guys spend some time doing research for their fishing expeditions but aren’t thorough enough. He sent samples of what he was looking for and requested colors orange cream and brown.
Thank you for starting this blog post and sharing the different entities.
I found this site by Goggling a random sentence in this text I recieved today. Thank you!
SMS with +1 (760) 314-3629
Yesterday, 9:08 PM
SCAMMER: Hello, Iʼm William Bitunjac and Iʼll like to know if you can handle Brochure and Logo Design Kindly get back to
me?m
Today, 7:39 AM
SCAMMER: Hello, Iʼm William Bitunjac and Iʼll like to know if you can handle Brochure and Logo Design Kindly get back to
me?
ME: Hi William – how did you get my #? Referred by anyone?
Found you thru Google search engine while searching for graphic designers and i believe you will be doing a
great job for me
I have new establish company i need a designer
Company Name: PREMIER FURNITURE.
This company is really based on Importing & Exporting of: Kitchen Cabinet, Sofa, Office Chair etc.
HERE ARE THE DETAILS AND PROCEDURE OF THE JOB:
1) Company Name: PREMIUM FURNITURE
2) MY WEBSITE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION WHICH WOULD BE REGISTER VERY SOON
3) I DON’T HAVE LOGO BUT NEED A CUSTOMIZED LOGO FROM YOU
4) I COULD ONLY SUPPLY THE TEXT CONTENT AND PHOTO ALL ARE WITH MY PROJECT CONSULTANT BUT THE ARTWORK WILL BE DESIGNED BY YOU
5) i WANT THE BROCHURE TO BE TRI-FOLD IT WILL BE FRONT & BACK THE TEXT AND THE PICTURE IS
APPROVED AND CROSSCHECK
6) THE SIZE OF BROCHURE IS 8.5 X 11.
That all i can provide from my means and i hope you understand what i listed above i need more perfect Job.
If you can handle this for me you will be my permanent graphics designer and i will meet you in person after
this design is done, due to my trip to get some stuff for my company.
I would be very happy to hear from you on time.
Thank you.
I will be needing 2500pcs to print out
kindly find attached samples of logo and brochure, the color code are black and red and get it back to me with
the total cost cause the full text and image of this project is coming from the project consultant.
I just received this very same one today! I thought it was scammy as soon as i received it so after asking a few probing questions ie where are you physically located, they responded with some random address that happened to be a massage parlor lol. I told them thanks for the follow up information and that I would be sending that quote over shortly. I promptly blocked them.
I just got the exact same text. I though it seemed weird someone texted me out of the blue needing graphic design work.
Thanks to this post! Blocked the number!!! Yikes!
I did the exact same thing after receiving the exact same email!!! I mean word-for-word the exact same email. I am so grateful you posted here.
The broken English made my spidey senses go off. Then I Googled his print request and what do you know…. identical. Thank you.