Scam laptop repair

[bertie40]

Hi guys. I received this, this morning from "Larry Smith"

"Hello,
Thanks for your response. I have been contracted to fix up some computers (Pentium IV dell laptops) but I'm presently in Ireland handling other projects. So I'll need your assistance to help me fix. Below are the necessary details needed to be done one on each laptops.

1 Format Hard Drive
2 Install Win XP with Service Pack 2
3 Microsoft Office Package
4 AVG Virus Software (Free Lifetime Updates)
5 Adobe Acrobat
6 Laptop Cleaning of the keyboard, screen and other case.
7 Diagnostics of the entire system after to check hard, CD ROM, floppy, etc.

Please note that i have all the software and licenses available with me for the job.

Kindly get back to me with your total cost for the services of 7 units.I await your urgent response so that i can make moving arrangements and payment.

Regards
Larry"

I nearly fell for it until I remembered this thread.

I've never had a scam directed directly at me before.

"Thanks for the response ?"

I've never contacted him, or know who he is !

That is the dead giveaway.

Bless You Technibble.

 

[joydivision]

Service Pack 2 Also shows how out of date that text is

 

[ljtechservices]

Another one you may get is detailed here: http://www.technibble.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25011

 

[Rosco]

i get a ton of these. 5 or 10 a day. i mess with them every once in a while. one time he wrote a different name. i called him on it and he said the new one was what his mom called him... lol... they set up fake websites and everything. what losers!

 

[nesrinamb]

I always send them an email stating this

"by the time you have finished reading this message tracking software has been installed on your computer and we are now pin pointing your location"

I always wonder how many people quickly pull the plug of the computer and wipe the hard drive.

 

[Rosco]

I always send them an email stating this

"by the time you have finished reading this message tracking software has been installed on your computer and we are now pin pointing your location"

I always wonder how many people quickly pull the plug of the computer and wipe the hard drive.

Awesome ^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

[Aescaepulus]

Similar story!

I had a similar issue a little while ago, but with desktop PC's. Character wanted to bring in towers only, with instructions for format/reinstall OS... said she got them from a government auction, and would pay by check.

I told her to bring the towers by my shop and I would review the installed software (I run Belarc Advisor on all machines before if possible, and after all repairs, builds) and give her a quote. I also warned her of a bench fee that needed to be paid if she didn't want to pay for reformat/reinstall, and her machines would be held until the check cleared.

Never heard back from her. Go figure

 

[bluefalcon]

These scams are big on Craigslist. I received one the first time I posted for computer repair services.

I posted another ad the other day and received one about how to make my business make more money.

 

[RegEdit]

I received the same email. They contacted me from a CraigsList ad (go figure). It made no sense that anyone would want service pack 2. And why go into specifics about "lifetime updates"??? People who OVER explain themselves with too many details are always up to no good. Easiest way to pick out a phoney.

 

[rsarceno]

Last Oct, 2010, I need an article for my blog so I decided to play along with several of these scams. I have screen shots of email and counterfeit money order and how they do it.

They also use FedEx to send the check. After further investigation, I found out they are also using other FedEx account

Check my blog http://www.snccomputerrepair.com/wordpress/?p=28.

Roel
________________________________________________________
Sarceno Network Consulting
http://www.snccomputerrepair.com/