Computer Repair Job

Hi everyone, I have to ask of your help determining if this job is legit. I responded to a craigslist ad for a Computer Technician that would be used to install and maintain computers throughout "the district." After emailing this man, he said that he has 8 computers located in Texas that he needs have pretty simple work done and wants to ship the computers all the way to Washington state for me to work on. He asked how much I would charge and I said I would fix them for $100 each. He replied that I would soon receive a cashiers check or money order in the mail for $3,800, and I would only need to pay for the shipping expenses after I receive the check.

Yup, according to what has been said, I should have a check for nearly $4,000 come to me Without knowing me, Without having knowledge of my work quality, and Without having the work done already.

What the hell?
Danny Johnson

Hi Danny and Welcome to Scamwarners

This is definately a scam

Could you please post the emails and email address of the person who contacted you and we may be able to prevent somebody else from falling for it.

Your best course of action is to ignore all future correspondance

Thank you for your quick response. I was pretty sure it was a scam, but I simply don't know how he was going to try scamming me. He didn't ask about any bank information and told me that the check would be the first thing I receive. Couldn't I just buy myself a plane ticket to Canada and even take my new computers with me? lol

The Cheque will be fake

The way this scams works is the scammer will issue you with a fake cheque
The check will be a very good fake that passes the banks initial clearance
Banks will give you money after 5 days when you will have "Provisional Clearance"
Provisional clearance does not mean the cheque is good, it simply means the alotted time has passed before they must give you access to the money
So, after 5 days the cheque "clears" and you use the funds to send the balance by Western Union

Some time later, and this can take months, the bank will find the cheque was fake and want their money back.
If the funds are available in your account it will be removed by the bank together with a dishonour fee,
You may also be refered to teh police for depositing a fake cheque which is an offence (I know, you didn't know it was fake but that doesn't matter)
You now need to explain to the police how you aquired this cheque, they may believe you and not press charges but they may also prosecute you.

Meanwhile, you are out of pocket by the amount of money you send plus dishonour fee as well as in trouble with the law while the scammer is still sitting in his internet cafe, untouchable and scamming his next victim.

Hi Danny,

As Ralph said, the check will be fake. He will send a check that covers your fee plus the "shipping" costs. He will ask you to send the "shipper" his money by WU or moneygram. (Really this is just the scammer or an accomplice under a new email addy, occasionally with a fake website to support the "shipper" story.) The "shipper" will pick up the cash immediately, and as Ralph said, you will ultimately be out that money, plus bad check fees and maybe bounced check fees.
You will never receive any computers--all he is after is cash.

Oh I forgot to add his email: [email protected] and this is the link to the craigslist ad: http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/sad/1571345719.html. Thank you so much guys! I owe you.

Thanks for the link and email address Danny

This from the craigslist add, I have highlightled the bit where the scammer has no problem with scamming a disabled person

Computer Technician

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Date: 2010-01-26, 8:23AM PST
Reply to: [email protected] [Errors when replying to ads?]

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The Computer Technician will perform on-site technical work to install and maintain computer equipment and network and software applications throughout the district. This person responds to work order requests by diagnosing and repairing network and computer hardware. Responsibilities for this role include performing the following duties:

Install and upgrade computers and peripherals throughout the district
Install network cabling and network peripherals throughout the district
Relocate computer hardware, peripherals, and equipment as needed
Install and configure software as needed
Assist with the installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of data communications circuits and equipment
Diagnose and repair equipment, including printers, terminals, and personal computers
Service equipment according to established preventive maintenance schedule
Maintain accurate updated records of preventive maintenance
Maintain accurate records of time and materials required to perform repairs and service
Operate tools and equipment according to prescribed safety procedures
Follow established safety procedures and techniques to perform job duties, including lifting, climbing, and carrying
Correct unsafe conditions in the work area and report any conditions that are not correctable to the supervisor immediately


The skills, experience, and knowledge required to be considered for this position include (items are required unless noted otherwise):
High school diploma or GED or equivalent
Two years of work experience installing, maintaining, and repairing computers and peripherals
Knowledge of computer workstation setup
Knowledge of computer hardware and software applications
Ability to install, maintain, and repair computers and peripherals, including printers, modems, and scanners
Ability to install and maintain network cables and hardware
Ability to diagnose problems and perform repairs


Telecommuting is ok.
OK to highlight this job opening for persons with disabilities
OK for recruiters to contact this job poster.
Phone calls about this job are ok.
Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.

I have just done a quick search on a small section of the script used for the add and have hundreds of exact matches on this line, "The Computer Technician will perform on-site technical work to install and maintain computer equipment "

Most of the adds appear to be the exact same job, why would a real company that was such a good job need to advertise so often? Well, because it's a scam

cashiers check or money order in the mail for $3,800

Ridiculous pricing. I'm in the UK, and could have paid a profit by flying to Texas to fix them. If it was real, that is.

This is surely a scam!
I have recieved an email from the same email address as in this report. The following is the email I just recieved.
I was asked to qoute a repair for six laptops in a prior email which I deleted. This looked suspicious to me so I googled the email address and found this forum.
He probably got my email address from my facebook.

Re: Computer Technician (The Computer Technician will perform on-)?
From: Mark Russel ([email protected])
Sent: Sun 1/31/10 7:10 PM
To: Removed - Ralph

Thanks for the reply.I have all the necessary softwares needed for the service installations...Let me know the final asking price of my jobs.. I will instruct my secretary to prepare a payment(Money order or casher's check) for you on your name and address . Do send me details below:

Full Name:
Physical Address:
City:
State:
Zipcode:
Cell phone #:

So as to prepare the payment and shipping of the laptops to your address. i have a reliable shipper that will pickup the laptops when you are done with it.I am looking forward to hear from you,so we can have payment and shipping asap...Thanks

Quotes added for clarity- Michelle

Welcome, hotrod and thanks for adding to the information.

and thanks from me as well hotrod1955

This is a fake cheque scam and is how it works:-

The scammer will tell you that he wants to hire your services and will offer to send a check , or money order for much more money than you ask. He will tell you to cash the check and send him the "extra money" by Western Union .

This check or money order will be fake, even if your bank cashes the check or tells you that it "cleared"!!!!

The bank will find out in a few days or weeks that the check is fake, and will make you pay all of the money back, even the money you sent to the scammer. The bank might even have you arrested for cashing a bad check.

You may be interested to know that my alter ego has applied for this job supplying the most basic qualifications and received the very same letter of acceptance as you.

The e-mail was sent to me from IP address 41.219.242.35 which resolves to Lagos (Nigeria).

Is there anything that will be done to stop this, or repercussions for such actions?

Unfortunately no, the scammer is more than likely in Africa where the local law enforcement do little to prevent scams.

The scammers use internet cafes and false names so they actually need to be caught in the act of scamming somebody.

We can list their details and spread the word in the hope that the community is more aware but beyond that there is little that can be done.

Myself and the others who volunteer here see it on a daily basis, it frustrates us too

Thanks for the pic of your email, hotrod. You were right, I had the exact same one. A huge thank you to all of the supporters especially King Ralph.

Thanks Danny

Its very much a team effort here and we are all glad to help, if you ever have any questions in the future please ask