Re: "Need tutor" scam on newsgroup?
- To: mathgroup at smc.vnet.net
- Subject: [mg123651] Re: "Need tutor" scam on newsgroup?
- From: Andrzej Kozlowski <akoz at mimuw.edu.pl>
- Date: Wed, 14 Dec 2011 06:02:17 -0500 (EST)
- Delivered-to: l-mathgroup@mail-archive0.wolfram.com
- References: <201112131043.FAA25404@smc.vnet.net>
Well, it seems to me that you have misjudged the probabilities involved. Think about it: would it make sense for a scammer to learn enough Mathematica (which is known to have a "high learning curve") to formulate this sort of question (note that the poster used correct Mathematica syntax) just on an odd chance that he finds a "pigeon" among a relatively small group of subscribers? Not to mention the fact that the post makes enough mathematical sense to be incomprehensible to the average Internet user (if you don't agree, try asking random people what a "complex function" is). Note also that the "tutoring" requested does not involve the use of Mathematica nor even mathematics. I would say what happened was a pure coincidence and there is no connection at all between your response to that MathGroup post and this scam. Over the last 14 years or so I have responded to a huge number of posts on this forum and have received a large number of spam and scam of various kinds (most of it detected by my filters but, of course, not all) and it never even occurred to me that there might be a relationship (or at least this kind of relationship). Andrzej Kozlowski On 13 Dec 2011, at 11:43, Chris Young wrote: > Just after posting something in reply to > >> From: =E9=81=93 =E5=8E=9A <shlwell1988 at gmail.com> >> Newsgroups: comp.soft-sys.math.mathematica >> Subject: Complex diagram >> Date: Wed, 7 Dec 2011 11:22:32 +0000 (UTC) >> >> Can we draw complex funtions's diagram in Mathematica? >> >> For example, draw the picture of z=2*x+I*3*y > > I got a request for a tutor that relied on the old > I-send-you-check-with-extra-and-you-send-difference scam. This relies > on criminally corrupt banking laws that say that a bank has no > responsibility to verify the validity of a check and can take the money > back if the check bounces, no matter after how long a period. You think > the check was OK when you get it cashed, you send the guy the "extra" > $400, the check bounces, the bank takes all the money out of your > account, and you're out at least $400. > > Here's what I got. All the exclamation marks, and the phony lingo made > me check out tutoring scams on Google, but not before I'd sent out more > personal info than I should have. > > http://www.silverplanet.com/scams/internet-safety/tutors-beware-clients-arent-always-who-they-seem/55351 > > >> The scam we kept reading about was where someone places an ad about a >> child who will be visiting the United States and needs some tutoring. >> The education need varies, and often a =E2=80=9Cnanny=E2=80=9D is part of the picture. >> The arrangement involves an advance payment of several thousand dollars >> by the =E2=80=9Cparent,=E2=80=9D with the request that the tutor take a portion of it >> and wire the rest to the nanny. >> If you haven=E2=80=99t heard of advance fee scams, that=E2=80=99s what this is. The >> check you would deposit is phony, but the difference in the amount that >> you're supposed to send the nanny is coming from your bank account. >> That's real money. So you're about to be out a big chunk of change. >> The Berkeley Parents Network, a parent-to-parent email network in the >> San Francisco Bay area, put up a warning that this scam was targeting >> tutors who posted to its site and other sites, including Craigslist. It >> noted the following: >>>>> The email comes from someone who does not live nearby and often >>>>> claims to live in Europe. >>>>> The person typically uses a common English-sounding name. >>>>> 2 The grammar, spelling, and punctuation of the email are usually >>>>> poor, as from a non-English speaker. >>>>> The person claims to have a son, daughter, niece, or nephew who will >>>>> be in your area and needs to be tutored, usually for a short time. >>>>> =E2=80=A2 You=E2=80=99ll be paid in advance by cashier=E2=80= =99s check for the entire tutoring >>>>> time. But you=E2=80=99ll be paid more than the agreed-upon = fee=E2=80=94as much as >>>>> $4,000 more=E2=80=94for any number of reasons. >>>>> =E2=80=A2 There may be several rounds of emails between = you and the scammer, >>>>> and you may even speak with that person on the phone. >> In another case, a tutor was told he would be flown to the client=E2=80= =99s >> country of residence for a full-time contract, but first he had to = pay >> for airfare and other items to be shipped to him. > > > Watch out for these vermin. I think they pose as "newbies" and if > anyone sounds overly helpful or trusting, they figure he's a pigeon.= > Excuse me, "shlwell1988 at gmail.com" if you're a legitimate poster, but= > the whole thing started right after my reply to you. > > Chris Young > > >>>>>>>>> From: Lee Xian <leexian44 at yahoo.com> >>>>>>>>>> Subject: Details needed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! >>>>>>>>>> Date: December 8, 2011 11:56:10 AM EST >>>>>>>>> To: Christopher Young <cy56 at comcast.net> > >> Thanks for the mail and the information provided,Am sorry for the >> delay. Well am very happy that i see you as my son's tutor,about your= >> years of Experience there is not problem about the lessons,my = caregiver >> lives very close to Cambridge, MA, so that is no problem for the = lesson >> OK my caregiver will be bringing him to your location for the lessons= >> and you can teach him at your place or meet at a public place, a >> library or coffee shop around you if that is OK by you so i will like= >> you to teach him the best of you when he get to the state for the >> lessons.I will like you to email me with your schedule for the >> lessons,am ok with total cost for 1 month lesson which is $600 I will= >> like you to email me with the name on the check and Full mailing >> address where the check will be mailed to and including your Home and= >> Cell phone number not p.o box please because my attorney that want to= >> issue out the check is leaving the country tomorrow okay and also = Owen >> is a beginner and his fluent in English speaking.Awaiting your = response >> asap. >> Also the lessons will commence by December 13th 2011 is this okay by = you?
- References:
- "Need tutor" scam on newsgroup?
- From: Chris Young <cy56@comcast.net>
- "Need tutor" scam on newsgroup?