A version of the Nigerian Hoax?

[Tzippy Shochat]

Dear medstatters.

I recieved an email from a student in India who wanted to retain my
services as a statistical consultant to his thesis (I live in Israel).
He claims he got my info from Yahoo groups.
He expressed willingness to wire me cash in advance, prior to any
serious input from me.

This looks like an intelligent version of the infamous Nigerian Hoax.

Has anybody else encountred this?

Thanks

Tzippy

[Steve Simon, P.Mean Consulting]

Tzippy Shochat wrote:

> I received an email from a student in India who wanted to retain my

> services as a statistical consultant to his thesis (I live in Israel).
> He claims he got my info from Yahoo groups.
> He expressed willingness to wire me cash in advance, prior to any
> serious input from me.
>
> This looks like an intelligent version of the infamous Nigerian Hoax.
>

> Has anybody else encountered this?

I have not encountered this, but I have had lots of people from far away
places ask me for FREE advice (which I am happy to give, within reason).
I have gotten a CD of Opera Digest out of the deal, and a lead for an
excellent Penzione in Rome.

I always offer an hour of consulting at no cost at the beginning of a
project. Why don't you do the same and see what's up? A scammer won't be
able to talk for more than a few minutes about their research, so it
should be pretty easy to see if this is legit.

Good luck.
--
Steve Simon, Standard Disclaimer
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[John Whittington]

At 10:13 04/11/2009 -0600, Steve Simon, P.Mean Consulting wrote:
>I always offer an hour of consulting at no cost at the beginning of a
>project. Why don't you do the same and see what's up? A scammer won't be
>able to talk for more than a few minutes about their research, so it
>should be pretty easy to see if this is legit.

... and, of course, if they decline such a generous offer but, instead, try
to 'insist' on making a payment up-front (thereby giving them an excuse for
trying to get Tzippy's bank details), we could draw our own conclusions!

Kind Regards,

John

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[ציפי שוחט‎]

Hi All.

This person had no interest in any consultation, only in wiring me money immediatly to a bank account. Thats why I'm pretty sure its a scam.

By the way I analyze the data of our local rape crisis hotline on a pro bono basis.

Thanks

 

Tzippy

 

2009/11/4 John Whittington <Joh...@mediscience.co.uk>