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Scam attempt by new proz profile ("Esther Muller")
Thread poster: Matthias Brombach
Matthias Brombach
Matthias Brombach  Identity Verified
Germany
Local time: 21:58
Member (2007)
Dutch to German
+ ...
Mar 22, 2023

I was contacted by a newly founded proz profile called "Esther Muller", allegedly situated in Dublin and with an IP in the first email (via proz mail) confirming the location, although generated by a mobile connection type. In the second email the sender already bore a different name ("Esther Pamela") and used a "hotmail" address. The document to be translated was of high volume and general nature (title: "Restructuring of Agriculture (Case Study)" and could have been easily translated with Deep... See more
I was contacted by a newly founded proz profile called "Esther Muller", allegedly situated in Dublin and with an IP in the first email (via proz mail) confirming the location, although generated by a mobile connection type. In the second email the sender already bore a different name ("Esther Pamela") and used a "hotmail" address. The document to be translated was of high volume and general nature (title: "Restructuring of Agriculture (Case Study)" and could have been easily translated with DeepL (at least as a draft). When googling for the title, proz already seems to have warned for scammers using that document (https://proz.papyrs.com/@knowledgebase/Archived-Scam-Alerts-2022). Sender disappeared when I politely requested to click my proz profile to check the IP, as part of my risk management. I should have lured the sender with advance payment and by check, to go for sure that the sender in fact is a scammer, but I have a bad feeling that I'm right anyway. ▲ Collapse


expressisverbis
Dalia Nour
 
Thayenga
Thayenga  Identity Verified
Germany
Local time: 21:58
Member (2009)
English to German
+ ...
Same here Apr 3, 2023

She also contacted me, including name change and hotmail address. She told me that "your rate is really cheap compared to that of other translators". Well, I don't think so, mainly because I'm usually told that it's a "bit" too high.

I also checked her profile and it seemed to be legit. However, when she offered a 50% prepayment via check, I decided that this must be a scam. Even more so because SEPA money transfers are also available from Dublin.

Matthias Brombach
expressisverbis
Dalia Nour
 
Josep Vives (X)
Josep Vives (X)
Spain
Local time: 21:58
English to Spanish
+ ...
Thanks for letting us know! Apr 3, 2023

I have to admit it, I have been scammed before. Your warning is appreciated!

expressisverbis
Dalia Nour
 
Natalie
Natalie  Identity Verified
Poland
Local time: 21:58
Member (2002)
English to Russian
+ ...

MODERATOR
SITE LOCALIZER
Esther Muller aka Pamela Adriana Apr 3, 2023

Another profile created by the same scammer was 'Pamela Adriana', presumably also from Dublin.

The site staff has taken appropriate action and removed both profiles.

expressisverbis
Bernhard Islinger
Dalia Nour
Matthias Brombach
Thayenga
 


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Scam attempt by new proz profile ("Esther Muller")







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