Is this a scam? Scott Patrician

Hey!
Last night I recived a facebook message saying this:
"Hello and how are you doing? Am patrician a host family from New York,seems i saw your profile on Aupair world and I wanna know if you'll be interested in been our Aupair for my little daughter. I recently deactivated my account not knowing I will be needing someone soon.
If interested please send me an email on [email protected] so i can forward more details
Thanks
Patrician"


And that's the mail that he sent me later when I sent my answer.
I am really happy that you replied me and interested in working for our family, I hope you'll enjoy working for our family. Here is a little about us:


THE FAMILY
Our family now have a busier schedule, I started working full time as a financial controller 8.00am to 5.30pm, run his own pipe-lining
business which is based on Civil Engineering (so we're not always available at home) so we are looking for some assistance with Chloe and around the house. Hopefully you can add another language for her to learn and experience a different culture. Our friends, who live minutes away, have an au pair from Spain and it's working really well for them.

We live on 571 Academy St #2C, New York NY, which am sure you know is a big city. I am down to Earth, blunt and take things the way they come. I am a very friendly person and easy to get along with. You will have no problem in adapting to our lifestyle here. We will need your services due to the time commitment that is demanding by our job. We want you to know that you'll never have any cause to regret taking up this job. If you smoke and you want to smoke it's most no be in my home cause we don't smoke in the house and definitely not in front of my daughter, I must say here that were Christian family and we are devoted to our Religion.


CHLOE
My lovely daughters name is Chloe she will be 2 by July, we enrolled her at a kindergarten school this year, after which she will also
proceed to elementary school. She is welcoming and though she is young, she has a warm reception for people and she has got friendly attitude too. She likes playing a lot and I do not think you will not have any problem with her so far she eats and plays well. Very intelligent and fun to be with, she likes candy, chocolate enjoys watching cartoon. You’ll enjoy staying with her.

SALARY
You will be entitled to a pay of $1250 every month while you will also be given an entitlement of $80 every week for petty expenses which you might need for yourself. This salary is subject to negotiations for an upward review upon your arrival.


SCHEDULE
We would appreciate help getting the Chloe ready for school and walking her down (5mins), collecting her from school, getting her meal ready and sitting down to go through her home work or school activities (at this age its not too taxing!!), taking her out on her
bike or to the park which requires crossing one road and you're there. Food shopping (next to school) and keeping the house tidy, along with meal preparation. There is a good bus service and train network however we are looking at providing a small car. This would give you more freedom and allow you to have trips with her. We love occasional nights out and can agree on evenings and schedule when required.


ROOM
A well furnished bedroom will be made available for your personal use soon as you get here. You will also be provided with a personal
computer connected to the internet so you can keep in contact with relatives, TV and other necessary things at your disposal. There will be enough privacy for you; I guess you'll really like it.
You are free to start as soon as possible, I will appreciate you coming immediately but any date of your choice will also be welcomed.
You have every weekend as your off days as my husband will not be going to work during weekends except special overtime.


STUDY
You will be free to study in any school of your choice soon as you get here that's if you still want to. I will be helping you as regards
tuition fees and there are so many colleges and Universities here that offer good and qualitative courses. We’ll be willing to help you with that.

Let me know if you are ready to take up this position and probably get some more pictures from you?

I will love to know how long you want to stay with us and if the salary is good by you?

Do you have a valid passport and other necessary document needed for Visa Application?

Thanks."


Probably its a scam, what are you think about??
Thanxs folk!

The language strongly suggests that it's a West African Scammer.

Unless it's arranged through one of the sponsors on the list shown here it's not possible to become an au pair in the USA

http://j1visa.state.gov/participants/how-to-apply/sponsor-search/?program=Au%20Pair

There is no point for a US family to contact you direct as you won't get a visa. They must apply through one of these organisations and arrange it with them and, unless you've signed up already you won't get offered the job.

Getting work as an au pair is difficult. The scammer makes it sound as if it's easy because he only wants to steal money from you.

Thank you very much Terrance!

Most Western countries have strict laws and control over child care and who can do it. It just isn't possible to hire someone over the internet without formality and it isn't the family contacting you that you have to satisfy. The family couldn't hire a US citizen to act as an au pair if they didn't have the proper qualifications and certificates. The rules apply to everyone, but it's more difficult if you're seeking to become an au pair from abroad as you need to obtain a visa as well which you'll have to obtain through the US Embassy in your home country.

If you seriously want to become an au pair in the USA, the sensible thing to do would be to contact the local US Embassy and ask if they have any pamphlets or literature that tells you how to go about it.

And much of the (above) script can be seen here viewtopic.php?f=42&t=54493 It's dated from September of the year Twenty Twelve. The scam artist has obviously changed names.