Scamming (Hi Carolyn, [email protected]) has been around since the beginning of time. But since the start of the internet age – it has been taken to a whole new level. Providing IT Support and Web Development we come across some of the most bizarre scams around, which keeps us one step ahead. Recently – we came into direct contact with the scammers in just one of the latest scams to hit online businesses specifically web designers/developers in the recent years.
We initially seen this type of scam many times via email were a prince from far away needed you to make payment of £500 to the bank that was holding £10,000,000 of his money due to legal reasons. Once you pay the bank and sign for the money you get 50%.
How-ever – this time – they pose as website customers asking for a quotation, providing a really harsh story and trying to get you to pay the holder of their website content and they will release it to you. Then they will provide payment.
It was fun to egg them on during our conversation, but what great depths these scammers are willing to go will never surprise us.
What story or idea will they think of next to scam you with – nobody knows.
Continue to read the full conversation below:
Scammer (Carolyn)
This is Carolyn Morgan I am hearing impaired, can you handle website design for new company and do you accept credit card payment?
DIGITAL CONFIG
Hi Carolyn,
Yes we are always ready to take on new projects. If you could send us more information that would be great, I have attached our website questionnaire for you to fill out.
Scammer (Carolyn)
I have small scale business which i want to turn into large scale business now. its located in FL and the company is based on importation and exportation of Agricultural produce such as Kola Nut, Gacillia Nut, and Cocoa so i need the best layout design for it. Can you handle that for me ?
DIGITAL CONFIG
Yes this is something we can help with, If you can fill out the questionnaire I sent, this will give us a good understanding of what you want the site to achieve.
can I just ask you how you heard about Digital Config?
Scammer (Carolyn)
Hello
I got your info through Internet research, I need you to check out this site but i need something much more perfect than this if its possible. http://www.agroamerica.com the site would only be informational. 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. Also, i already have my content ready to be deployed by my project consultant
The site will just be an informational
I dont have a domain name yet but thinking of using Homefarmland.info
My plan budget is $2000 to $6000.
DIGITAL CONFIG
Hi Carolyn,
Thank you for sending me this information, Myself and the team will check out the website that you would like us to look at tomorrow and we will send you a quote for your website and hosting by the end of the day. also if you require help purchasing your domain name we would be happy to help.
DIGITAL CONFIG
Hi Carolyn,
We are happy to quote £2,350 for your new website.
Once you confirm our quote is acceptable – we are ready to commence on your project.Thanks in advance and we look forward to hearing from you soon,
Accounts Team.
Scammer (Carolyn)
£2,350 that will be total cost in USD ?
DIGITAL CONFIG
Hi Carolyn,
The total in USD is $3,430.
Hope this helps,
Accounts Team.
Scammer (Carolyn)
Ok the price is okay and attractive.
what is the name of the merchant you will be using to charge my card
and the fee attached to your credit card merchant machine ?
DIGITAL CONFIG
We use PayPal to take payment. There is a 3.4% charge, but no VAT will be charged for the project.
Price: £2,350 / $3,430
Price Including PayPal Fee: £2,430 / $3,542We look forward to speaking more soon,
Accounts Team.
Scammer (Carolyn)
Hello
i will like to know if you have any other card merchant have been hacked on paypal before and have been advice not to use it again ?
DIGITAL CONFIG
Hi Again Carolyn,
After we sent our last email – we had another thought.
We usually send you a direct payment link to our Paypal account. There is no requirement for you to have a Paypal account – so there is no risk we know of that you can be hacked in anyway.
Hope this helps,
Accounts Team
Scammer (Carolyn)
Am sorry I can’t make use of PayPal again, I will prefer https://www.waveapps.com/invoice/ you can signup for that is more secure and faster.
Thanks
DIGITAL CONFIG
Hi Carolyn,
We sent over your invoice earlier via Waveapps as requested.
Please Note: There is a 2.9% transaction fee included as part of their service.
Thank you for choosing DigitalConfig to build your new website and we look forward to working with you on this project.
Accounts Team
Scammer (Carolyn)
Hello
I got the invoice i will like the invoice in USD, Also i am currently in the hospital for cancer treatment.please i will like you to help me with little favour ?
DIGITAL CONFIG
Hi Carolyn,
Sorry to hear the news.
We will amend the invoice to $ and will resend asap.
In the meantime – what is the little favour you would like from us?
Accounts Team
Scammer (Carolyn)
I will like you to send an invoice for $5215,you will deduct the sum of $1715 as a deposit payment for my website design and the remaining $3500 you would help me send it to the “project consultant that has got the text content and logo for my website” so once she has the $3500 she would send the text content and logo needed for my website to you.
DIGITAL CONFIG
Hi Carolyn,
So you want us to pay $3,500 to receive your logo and text content?
As you are a new client – before any work is carried out, you will need to pay the invoice in full.
Accounts Team
Scammer (Carolyn)
yes soon as the consultant receives the funds the text content and logo for the website will be sent to you.
Thanks
THE NEXT DAY…..
Scammer (Carolyn)
Hello
how are you doing today, i will like to know if we can proceed with the project ?
DIGITAL CONFIG
Hi Carolyn,
Yes please click link below to receive funds for your project..
Funds for Carolyn: http://goo.gl/gDyp3N
Accounts Team
The above link we sent to Carolyn brings her to this post. Hi Carolyn! We have no more to say to you!
Others who have experienced the same thing: See Here
DIGITAL CONFIG Team