Web developer be alert of this scam
So I get this message one morning,Here is the job details , I have a small clothing business for both male and female, now am trying to expand the business and i want you to build an eCommerce website for it for advertisement. I need you to checkout this site but I need something more perfect than this if possible, https://violatethedresscode.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-Jz4m8jS9wIVheDICh0yzwUtEAAYASAAEgIz1fD_BwE The site would only be eCommerce , So i need you to get back to me with an estimate for the web design, The estimate should include hosting and i want thgvvvvvcche site to have not more than 15 pages since it is eCommerce. I have a private project graphic designer, he has the text content, images and the logos for the site.At first I took it as one of normal leads message and replied back with the estimates time frame and the cost but the replied that I get after this made me sure that this was one of those other spam that I got earlier this year.Thanks, I’m very much satisfied with the total estimate, quite affordable . Here’s an exclusive just to show some seriousness and dedication . I am willing to pay up the sum of $1,000 as an upfront payment so that you can start making my website design.I have my credit card available for the payment . But first I want you to pay attention to this .I have been advised to take a long rest for an easy and fast recovery after my ear surgery I went through,hence the reason why I need your favor. I haven’t paid the private graphic designer that has the text content and the logo for my website he does not have credit card facility.Regarding this fact,I will be giving you my credit card for the total of $5,300. Once the funds clears to your account $1,000 will be deducted as an upfront payment for the graphic design,$200 for yourself as tip and the remaining $4,100 will be sent to the private graphic designer that has the text content and the logo for my website.See how they eventually comes to the way scammer does. Comes up excuses and asks for favour, I will pay you but you need to pay someone else. The way this kind of spam works is they have got the credit card information from one of the victim and they pay you with the stolen card details and they will ask to pay to that so called graphic designers through some untraceable payment method, could be remittance, crypto and other sources. And this leads to be seeing your business name in the transaction of the victim and you are seen as a scammer. So web developers don’t fall for this kind of scam. I have seen this kind of scam mentioned by others on many pages. Below are some of the links that explains similar to this topic.https://teamtreehouse.com/community/web-design-scam-heads-uphttps://www.minimist.ca/articles/web-designers-beware-dont-fall-for-this-common-scam