| Pages in topic: < [1 2 3 4] > | Seems like a translation scam Thread poster: Dor Zigdon Lax
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Cristina Golab 
United States
Local time: 13:19
English to Spanish
+ ...
I got this email yesterday:
"Good Evening,
How are you doing today and can you take a translation job right now,here is the document attached with this email and let me know how much you charge per words.I want it translated from English to Spanish but you should be able to finish in 4 weeks time,awaits your mail soon.
Regards.
Warren Marc
160 Scotland Street
Glasgow Lanarkshire
G5 8PL
UK"
... See more I got this email yesterday:
"Good Evening,
How are you doing today and can you take a translation job right now,here is the document attached with this email and let me know how much you charge per words.I want it translated from English to Spanish but you should be able to finish in 4 weeks time,awaits your mail soon.
Regards.
Warren Marc
160 Scotland Street
Glasgow Lanarkshire
G5 8PL
UK"
The document is a 7000 word article. I replied with my rates and asked for 50% paid before starting the project and 50% prior to delivery. This morning I got an answer saying the rates are fine and he "just" needs my bank details to transfer the money. I've answered I only accept payments through paypal or moneybookers. I also mentioned I need a PO. This seems so fishy. I then checked the IP address and the sender is actually in California! It looks like a scam to me. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Betsabe Fresco
United States
Local time: 13:19
English to Spanish
+ ...
Becareful with an e-mail from Wareen Marc.
The same happened to me, Cristina.
After asking him where did he get my contact information, he said he got it from atanet. Then I ask him to send me his contact information for verification purposes and, of course, I can't verify his information. So I told him that I can't work on the project because I can't verify his contact information. I think he gave up because he has not replied after that.
This is not the first ti... See more Becareful with an e-mail from Wareen Marc.
The same happened to me, Cristina.
After asking him where did he get my contact information, he said he got it from atanet. Then I ask him to send me his contact information for verification purposes and, of course, I can't verify his information. So I told him that I can't work on the project because I can't verify his contact information. I think he gave up because he has not replied after that.
This is not the first time that happened to me, but for some reason, when I ask them to send me their contact information for verification purposes, they either don't get back to me or give me an address that does not exist. One time, they even replied to me with a "Good Bye" (a sign that they gave up)
I truly believe it is a scam. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Fabian Deckwirth
Spain
Local time: 19:19
Member (2010)
Portuguese to English
+ ...
I've received a similar email as Cristina. However, I answered that accepted forms of payments were Paypal AND money transfer to my German bank account, but no checks. So far, I don't quite understand how a money transfer could work as a scam. Could someone enlighten me please?
| | | | Suzan Hamer
Netherlands
Local time: 19:19
English
+ ...
| And what about this? | Sep 8, 2010 |
"You have been sent a message via ProZ.com.
Author: Stéphane
[NOTE: The author is not a registered ProZ.com user or was not logged in when sending this message.]
Author's IP address:
Message type: Job-related
-----------
Hello,
we have not worked together so far but I may have a project
for you. Can you please send me an e-mail so that I send you
the document?
Please indicate when available and your rate per sour... See more "You have been sent a message via ProZ.com.
Author: Stéphane
[NOTE: The author is not a registered ProZ.com user or was not logged in when sending this message.]
Author's IP address:
Message type: Job-related
-----------
Hello,
we have not worked together so far but I may have a project
for you. Can you please send me an e-mail so that I send you
the document?
Please indicate when available and your rate per source
word, thanks.
Regards,
___________"
The email address is from a translation company that has a website (in French)... Most people when contacting me through ProZ at least describe their (potential) project . . .Asking me to email them SO they can send me the document just sounds fishy. What do you think?
And now I am really confused... The company does appear on the Blue Board...
[Edited at 2010-09-08 09:25 GMT]
[Edited at 2010-09-08 15:27 GMT]
[Edited at 2010-09-08 20:14 GMT] ▲ Collapse
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| @Suzan, I don't think this is a scam | Sep 8, 2010 |
To me it is just unusual, I'd reply with my email and see what happen...
My 2 cents
P.S. Edited to remove the quote, in case you need to remove the messages.
[Edited at 2010-09-08 09:39 GMT]
| | | | Suzan Hamer
Netherlands
Local time: 19:19
English
+ ...
| Yes, I'm considering doing that. | Sep 8, 2010 |
Angie Garbarino wrote:
Suzan Hamer wrote:
"You have been sent a message via ProZ.com.
Author:
[NOTE: The author is not a registered ProZ.com user or was not logged in when sending this message.]
Author's IP address:
Message type: Job-related
-----------
Hello,
we have not worked together so far but I may have a project
for you. Can you please send me an e-mail so that I send you
the document?
Please indicate when available and your rate per source
word, thanks.
Regards,
"
The email address is from a translation company that has a website (in French)... Most people when contacting me through ProZ at least describe their (potential) project . . .Asking me to email them SO they can send me the document just sounds fishy. What do you think?
And now I am really confused... The company does appear on the Blue Board...
[Edited at 2010-09-08 09:07 GMT]
To me it is just unusual, I'd reply with my email and see what happen...
My 2 cents [Edited at 2010-09-08 09:21 GMT]
I guess I have nothing to lose by emailing... and if it does turn out NOT to be a scam... I'll have to remove these messages...
| | | | | Post removed: This post was hidden by a moderator or staff member for the following reason: Removed as requested by poster | Suzan Hamer
Netherlands
Local time: 19:19
English
+ ...
| But the agency is on the Blue Board.... | Sep 8, 2010 |
A_Fangrath wrote:
You'll waste your time.
This is scam.
First, a professional agency has no need in contacting members via proz messaging, fishing for email addresses.
if they are here, they are FULL members and will be able to see your contact details.
Second, they have never worked with you and want to send you a document just like that.
They even are not interested in your expetise.
Even if there is an urgent need for a translator - they would put a Job Posting here.
there is a reason that they don't.
Some are already banned from proz, others just don't want to disclose themselves and there is a reson for that too.
As for me, the first time, I flattered myself too and though, oh, great,
I got noticed.
Now such scam is kind of daily entertaiment . It's hillarous to read all these "offers"
That's what I find confusing... You do however, confirm my own thoughts. I have emailed.... we shall see.
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| Post removed: This post was hidden by a moderator or staff member for the following reason: Removed as requested by poster | Suzan Hamer
Netherlands
Local time: 19:19
English
+ ...
| Forgive my ignorance.... | Sep 8, 2010 |
A_Fangrath wrote:
[NOTE: The author is not a registered ProZ.com user or was not logged in when sending this message.]
Author's IP address:
I would check the IP address too.
Good luck, let us know how it goes!
... but all I can tell from checking the IP address is that this person did visit my ProZ profile and is located in the country where the agency apparently is located. Is there more to checking the IP address than just checking it out on my profile under the Visitors tab?
And yes, of course, I'll report what the end result is... either a real job offer or a scam....
| | | | | Post removed: This post was hidden by a moderator or staff member for the following reason: Removed as requested by poster | Thomas Pfann
United Kingdom
Local time: 18:19
Member (2006)
English to German
+ ...
| Be aware, but not over-cautious | Sep 8, 2010 |
Suzan Hamer wrote:
Is there more to checking the IP address than just checking it out on my profile under the Visitors tab?
If you click on the actual IP address on the Visitors tab of your profile you will get to another website (melissadata.com) which will give you information on where this IP address is actually located. You can check the origin of any IP address that way. (And there are of course plenty of other websites which do exactly the same.) This by no means proofs anything as it doesn't necessarily mean the sender is located exactly there, but it gives you a first indication - if the sender claims to be based in Germany, has a '.ru' email address and an IP address from Argentina, then there might be something fishy going on. You get the idea...
Have a look at the ProZ.com Wiki articles on the issue of Detecting and reacting to false job offers and other scams (mentioned elsewhere in this forum).
Anyway, it is good to be aware of scams and to be be careful, but there is no reason to suspect a scam behind each and every mail you receive from a stranger.
The mail you received, Suzan, doesn't sound fishy to me at all. I would reply asking what the project is about and take it from there. The outsourcer probably found you by looking for a translator with a specific specialisation (and you can actually verify that by looking at your Visitors tab where it says what each visitor was looking for when they found you). Also, they have seen your profile so they will already have an idea of your expertise and specialisations. Now they want to send you further information and probably the file for you to decide whether that is something you can and want to translate. Sounds perfectly reasonable to me.
I don't think most "good" outsources would post their jobs on the job board. Instead they would probably look for suitable translators and then contact them directly. That would definitely be my approach.
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Suzan Hamer
Netherlands
Local time: 19:19
English
+ ...
| Well, now what do I do? | Sep 8, 2010 |
Thomas Pfann wrote:
Suzan Hamer wrote:
Is there more to checking the IP address than just checking it out on my profile under the Visitors tab?
If you click on the actual IP address on the Visitors tab of your profile you will get to another website (melissadata.com) which will give you information on where this IP address is actually located. You can check the origin of any IP address that way. (And there are of course plenty of other websites which do exactly the same.) This by no means proofs anything as it doesn't necessarily mean the sender is located exactly there, but it gives you a first indication - if the sender claims to be based in Germany, has a '.ru' email address and an IP address from Argentina, then there might be something fishy going on. You get the idea...
Have a look at the ProZ.com Wiki articles on the issue of Detecting and reacting to false job offers and other scams (mentioned elsewhere in this forum).
Anyway, it is good to be aware of scams and to be be careful, but there is no reason to suspect a scam behind each and every mail you receive from a stranger.
The mail you received, Suzan, doesn't sound fishy to me at all. I would reply asking what the project is about and take it from there. The outsourcer probably found you by looking for a translator with a specific specialisation (and you can actually verify that by looking at your Visitors tab where it says what each visitor was looking for when they found you). Also, they have seen your profile so they will already have an idea of your expertise and specialisations. Now they want to send you further information and probably the file for you to decide whether that is something you can and want to translate. Sounds perfectly reasonable to me.
I don't think most "good" outsources would post their jobs on the job board. Instead they would probably look for suitable translators and then contact them directly. That would definitely be my approach.
Apparently it was a legitimate offer . . .(don't I feel stupid). As I mentioned before, previous emails from people contacting me through my ProZ profile have been much more detailed. The lack of specifics is what made me suspicious. But now, what to do? If I remove my original posting, then all the answers following won't make sense...Let me thank everyone who replied though for their good advice.
[Edited at 2010-09-08 15:25 GMT]
[Edited at 2010-09-08 15:29 GMT]
[Edited at 2010-09-08 18:28 GMT]
| | | | | If you want to remove the messages | Sep 8, 2010 |
Contact Alejandro and he will be able to remove or to tell you what action is appropriate
Regards
| | | | Suzan Hamer
Netherlands
Local time: 19:19
English
+ ...
| ProZ staff determined that my posts should not be removed. | Sep 12, 2010 |
Angie Garbarino wrote:
Contact Alejandro and he will be able to remove or to tell you what action is appropriate
Regards
"As you mention, to remove the posts would mean that subsequent posters would have to be notified, and their contributions, which may be helpful to others, removed. Since there is no longer detailed information, the outsourcer is not specifically identified. Therefore, your forum posts are within site rules, and should not be removed."
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