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Geek Culture / Is this a scam?

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xtom
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Joined: 26th Aug 2002
Location: Ireland
Posted: 7th Feb 2007 13:35
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This guy has been emailing me about my software. I think it's a scam but at the same time I can't see what he would be scamming for? Just wondering what others think. Email correspondence is below, first email at the bottom reading up, I've edited my own email, website etc.





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Van B
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Location: Sunnyvale
Posted: 7th Feb 2007 14:10
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I don't see how it could be a scam. Really this guy wants to have a meeting with you to discuss developments in software he thinks he can sell. Might be a good earner - just make sure you get paid up front - seriously a lot of Scot's companies do this with new clients, it should not be a problem to ask for this, keeps the accounts department very happy too, they'll think you care .

Be careful though, he might try and poach you from your current job, a rash decision might be a wrong one, so consider everything, but I expect he'll blow things out of all proportion and try and convince you to work with them alone, like moonlighting from your current job, so they pay less, but you'd probably earn more.

''Stick that in your text and scroll it!.''
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Zappo
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Posted: 7th Feb 2007 14:27 Edited at: 7th Feb 2007 14:29
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It seems they may not just market software (if these are the same company):
Dental Supplies
Embroidery Machines

I would certainly ask what their company actually does when you see them.
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RUCCUS
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Location: Canada
Posted: 7th Feb 2007 14:32
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Dont meet him by the swings in a cute pink skirt, you'll be in for it, YOU'LL BE IN FOR IT!

..*cough*


:: Check out the new FPS Tutorial's Progress at http://www.freewebs.com/ruccus
along with code, media, and more.
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Cash Curtis II
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Posted: 7th Feb 2007 14:41
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I think he wants to molest you


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Jeff Miller
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Location: New Jersey, USA
Posted: 7th Feb 2007 14:51
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I get suspicious when reading (from them) nothing but stilted and botched attempts at formal English, then suddenly a prediction that something will "sell like hot cakes."
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xtom
22
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Location: Ireland
Posted: 7th Feb 2007 15:24
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Thanks for the replies guys.

Yes the English is bad and they seem to be from Sri Lanka, Which I think is notorious for online scams. I'm still not sure about this but will give benefit of doubt for now and proceed with caution.


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Xander
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Posted: 7th Feb 2007 19:22
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It looks fishier than a 5 cent fish stick. The English makes me cringe. And the lack of information he gives you is suspicious. I would never meet someone in person based on the previous correspondance. But it's up to you.

Xander Moser - Bolt Software - Firewall
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Cash Curtis II
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Posted: 7th Feb 2007 19:40
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I would, but seriously, I'd have somebody else with me. If it's a scam, it's probably to get you to help fund something fake for a fake return. Or to steal your kidney.


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Phaelax
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Posted: 7th Feb 2007 19:46
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remember, meet in a large public area with lots of people and bring a friend along

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Agent Dink
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Posted: 7th Feb 2007 20:07
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...And a gun or knife

Sometimes the only way over a wall is to pile up enough bodies to climb over - Dave W.
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Pricey
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Posted: 7th Feb 2007 22:51
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lots of guns and lots of knives

http://forum.thegamecreators.com/?m=forum_view&t=97191&b=32
God Of Thunder DEMO
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Benjamin
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Posted: 7th Feb 2007 23:05
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And a tank. Preferably a fish tank.

Tempest (DBP/DBCe)
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DrewG
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Posted: 7th Feb 2007 23:10
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And a red hat. You can't forget the hat.

please forgive me about my forum name.
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Michael S
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Location: Why do you ask?
Posted: 7th Feb 2007 23:10 Edited at: 7th Feb 2007 23:13
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Have a helicopter follow you

If the speed of light is 299,792,458 meters per second, how fast is dark?
Check out my current forum:http://ninjasoftforum.proboards107.com/index.cgi
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Crazy Ninja
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Posted: 7th Feb 2007 23:25 Edited at: 7th Feb 2007 23:26
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Bring a beer too. Make that two. or three.

Edit: There really good to hit people with.

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DrewG
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Posted: 7th Feb 2007 23:31
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And a funnel. Don't forget the funnel.

please forgive me about my forum name.
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bitJericho
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Posted: 8th Feb 2007 00:05
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don't forget the trout

I just got to be a producer, drink champaign until I puke! DRINK CHAM-PAIGN TILL HE PUUUKES..
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Matt Rock
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Posted: 8th Feb 2007 00:17
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After the VDIUK stuff I'm always weary of stuff like this. As Van pointed out, make sure you're paid up-front in full and don't skimp out on any particulars that you're adamant about.


"In an interstellar burst, I'm back to save the universe"
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Chris Franklin_
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Posted: 8th Feb 2007 00:21
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Quote: "And a tank. Preferably a fish tank."

LOL!


I had something similar, not same company turned out to be a scam and they got 30hours worth of my 3d landsapes with original .br5 source files

My 2d RPG
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Fallout
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Posted: 8th Feb 2007 00:33
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It's a filthy scam. They're trying to gain your trust. They won't turn up at the meet and will send an appology email or will extract personal contact information for you in order to arrange the meet.

Ask them to provide you with a number ... I'd be surprised if they do. If they do, use it to discover their address then hunt them down and murder their entire family with a razor sharp carrot.


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Kieran
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Posted: 8th Feb 2007 05:10
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... i cannot believe you guys forgot to bring the tissue paper....

~Kieran
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jasonhtml
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Posted: 8th Feb 2007 07:31
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and ill be tracking you by satellite. so dont worry if you're kidnapped

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Darth Vader
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Location: Adelaide SA, I am the only DB user here!
Posted: 8th Feb 2007 07:56
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And I will have the SWAT team on stand-by.

Don't forget your extra pair of... You know!


http://ideal-entertainment.galekus.com
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xtom
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Posted: 8th Feb 2007 13:20
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Lol thanks for the comments guys. Latest correspondence is below. Note the request for bank details! I've sent them a link to download trial version and link to register it via paypal. I doubt they will pay.





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Dave J
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Posted: 8th Feb 2007 13:31
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Quote: "I get suspicious when reading (from them) nothing but stilted and botched attempts at formal English, then suddenly a prediction that something will "sell like hot cakes.""


That stood out to me as well.

Can I ask what exactly this software does?


"Computers are useless, they can only give you answers."
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xtom
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Posted: 8th Feb 2007 13:37 Edited at: 8th Feb 2007 13:40
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It's calculates how many parts you can fit on to sheets of material of different sizes.

sheet layout calculator

I really think they are more interested in getting my bank details than the program.


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Fallout
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Posted: 8th Feb 2007 14:16
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I now vote for a reply along the lines of "Hi Pradeep, The software is now open source. Please download it from: [insert link to foul depraved porno site here]."


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Cash Curtis II
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Posted: 8th Feb 2007 14:33
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Well, I wouldn't do that just yet I'd definitely use Paypal, no other payment method is acceptable. If they refuse, then they're criminals.


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bitJericho
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Posted: 8th Feb 2007 17:13
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I would suggest you report this to the police.

I just got to be a producer, drink champaign until I puke! DRINK CHAM-PAIGN TILL HE PUUUKES..
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xtom
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Posted: 8th Feb 2007 17:25
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I don't think my local Garda station would do much about it.


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Cash Curtis II
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Posted: 8th Feb 2007 18:38
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There's nothing to tell them unless it's already too late, and this shouldn't come to anything like that. At least you are aware of the potential risks xtom.


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Grog Grueslayer
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Posted: 8th Feb 2007 20:13
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It sounds like a total scam to me. You called their bluff about meeting them then they change their minds and want your bank details before meeting you.

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Uncle Sam
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Posted: 8th Feb 2007 23:45
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That's a scam and no doubt about it! That's some wonderful grammar they've got......

Honestly, if people are going to scam, can't they at least do it right?

Uncle Sam
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Grog Grueslayer
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Posted: 9th Feb 2007 20:06
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I have a friend that was so sick of his girlfriend giving him grief that he put his email address in a mail-order bride webpage. Now all he gets are messages from Russian girls that instantly love him in the first message, send pictures of Russian models in every message claiming their pictures of themselves, and asking for money to get a plane ticket to America. This happens over the course of a week or two per girl.

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bitJericho
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Posted: 12th Feb 2007 01:18
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If only I could be so lucky

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Les Horribres
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Posted: 12th Feb 2007 08:04
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You know... if only scam artists would hire a professional editor now and then... and maybe a bare bones staff. Then, their emails would sound more professional, and any contact information would be verifiable and sound authentic.

Its not who you are or what you've done... its WHY you did it and how far you are willing to go.
If you fear speaking for yourself, make use the words of others while discovering your own voice.
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