The other day I started a correspondence from an inquiry and got 4 emails into the request before googling the email address.

So glad I googled, I almost got caught in a scam loop!

I found a slew of people reporting this scam that almost tripped me up!

As a freelance designer or small business owner, you must be watchful for fishing scams. It seems a bit far stretched but look into who they say they are before there is any exchange of information.

We work with churches and ministries providing graphic design and web development – as well as SEO and social media management. So, this wasn’t quite a fit, but it was a lead so I thought I’d investigate.

Once I did, I found out this scam has been used a lot! Thankfully portlandwebdesignanddevelopment.com had this article up, so I thought I’d write about my experience as well to help others not get caught.

Email 1 was short:
“Hello, i want you to help me with my brochure design for my new company?”

Email two after I sent information:
“Company Name: AGRICULTURE NATURAL INC
This company is really based on importing and exporting of Agriculture products such as Kola Nut, Gacillia Nut and Cocoa etc.

HERE ARE THE DETAILS AND PROCEDURE OF THE JOB:
1) Company Name: AGRICULTURE NATURAL 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 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.

GOB BLESS YOU”

Email 3:
“kindly find attached samples of logo and brochure, the color code are black and red and get back to me with the total cost cause the full text and image of this project is coming from the project consultant.”

Email 4:
Thanks for your response, i am okay with the estimate and i want to proceed with the payment so i will be making deposit of $XX the payment using my credit card so work can commence cause the full text and image of this project is coming from the project consultant.

It seemed at least kinda normal, except I found this link to an excellent article by Azunga Marketing LLC.  Check out the link below and all the various forms this email has taken.

Web Design Scam

Here are the emails and numbers to look out for so far!

moorephilip78@gmail.com
6128437588 – Mannix Jones
7026213773 –Humble Smith

8123290706 – owemby@gmail.com
2247956718 – Sam Haroun
6786019668 – Kathy James
8044594809 – Frank Anderson
7178357449 – PatDoween

– important.doweenpat77@outlook.com
Carlton Ball – caltonball500@gmail.com
christiana1stgrt@gmail.com
larrybarry740@outlook.com
kennethcole728@gmail.com
florenceparker9@gmail.com – Florence Parker
alexjason720@gmail.com
3316847158 – Lana
9175039684 – John Locke
4434037730 – Isabella Bradley
6143759933 – Kate Am
kerryrob2015@gmail.com – Kerry Robert
kendramiro3@gmail.com – Kendra Miro
5086239341 – ritahaynie23@gmail.com – Rita S Haynie
mstanis1967@gmail.com – Martins Stanis
michealwilliams021@gmail.com – Micheal Williams
davidwillson50000@gmail.com – David Willson
alexwill201@aol.com – Alex Williams
janehaggard04@gmail.com – Jane Haggard
davidwillson5000@gmail.com – David Willson
clarajones346@gmail.com – Clara Jones
tracyenu@gmail.com – Tracy Obrain
grayjohnson001@gmail.com – Gray Floyd
jefflewis023@gmail.com – Jeff Lewis
6466998509 – Barry Smith
7205099143 – Barry Smith
htom30@outlook.com – Tom Handerson
faithwilliams4321@gmail.com – Faith Williams
4157995585 – Scott Hollan
3214066179
amberalex200@gmail.com – Amber Alex
rstark1969@gmail.com – Robin Stark
tomsteward007@gmail.com – Tom Steward
terry.banks011@yahoo.com – Terry Banks
4439641907 – Elena Patrick
9293364302 – Guan
8163218767 – Walter
7122548330 – Joy
joekelly1417@hotmail.com – Joe Kelly
walkerscott112@gmail.com – Walker
6015091127 – Thomas Nicolas
916-581-0495 – Adriane
951-292-0035 – debramorton231@gmail.com – James
914-266-1509
robertsjames423@gmail.com – Roberts James
doweenpat77@outlook.com – PatDoween

541-319-1451
colemayer007@gmail.com – Cole Mayer
mickchristian830@gmail.com – Michael Christian
jco2661326@gmail.com – 818-639-8611 – Joshua Co
William James – jamewilliam880099@gmail.com
dbbie.gasper@gmail.com

We hope this is helpful to others!

How to spot an email scam for freelancers, graphic design companies and marketing companies:

http://www.vandelaydesign.com/know-how-to-recognize-scam-jobs-as-a-freelancer/