Almost got scammed

[u/RogellTheRaider]

Sigh... I don't even know how to say it. I'm ashamed. I've fallen for what most of you would call an obvious scam. But here we go...

Last week I had received this email:

Then I answered it. This "Lukas" guy sent me the contact of a woman (Becca Patten) via Teams and we talked. She even asked me to sign a purchase order. The payment cost would be almost €3,000, via Skrill (option I chose) and I had 8 days to finish the translation.

Eight days later (today), after having completed the work, this "Becca" instructs me to talk with "Elodie Campbell". She congratulates me for the job after reviewing it (the review took a few hours, what was very suspicious). In the end of the message, she tells me that I should create an account in a website called "Falcoglob(dot)online". AN OBVIOUS SCAM. So I started checking on Reddit and found some very similar cases. Suddenly, everything was falling apart.

Yes, friends, no Skrill, no payment... only a shady website created more or less six days ago.

Was I stupid for falling for the offering coming from a gmail address, the "glasglowlibraries(dot)live" website and the €3,000? Yes. Was I stupid for falling for the "falcoglob(dot)online"? No.

Bright side? Of course I didn't make an account in that "Falcoglob" website, so I didn't get scammed. But I wasted my time for nothing, while making plans and I still need the money.

I'm feeling so helpless... but I hope this post helps more people not to get scammed.

Hope you all have a nice day.

[u/monikosnuosavybe]

In retrospect, what would you have done differently to not get scammed?

And what is it with the glasglowlibraries(dot)live website?

[u/RogellTheRaider → u/monikosnuosavybe]

I definetly should have searched about it here on Reddit. Or even made a post like this one.

[u/redditrnreddit]

If what you have translated is a real book and has a genuine author and publisher, did you contact them telling them you have done the translation?

[u/RogellTheRaider → u/redditrnreddit]

The author passed away in 1910...

[u/brickne3]

Any classic literature request, especially one long out of copyright, is grounds for exceptional scrutiny. Why would they need it translated? What financial incentive would they have? Why would there be any time pressure on something that has been out of copyright for half a century? Why would they be picking you (no offense) if you have very little literary experience for what, if it existed at all, would be a high-stakes endeavour even for a career literary specialist?

I'm not blaming you, but the request itself is a glaring red flag. I'm sorry you did the work.

[u/moonsilver44]

Bad luck, I know this kinda thing looks easy to fall for, especially at the start. I mistrust anything that comes from a gmail account, and especially one emailing me asking what my language combo is… duh, if they know what languages they need, they know who to contact…. Keep sending out emails to legit clients and agencies and something will stick!

I’m in the same boat - I have one client who’s giving me some work with tight deadlines, so I also need work & money!

[u/SnooMemesjellies2523]

I rarely ever reply to gmail.com addresses, and if I do (in case of small, direct clients), I thoroughly ask them for details about their work and company and also look them up online.

[u/PrismYuuzuki]

I got scammed by the same kind of story.
I translated a children’s book and when it came time for my payment they asked me to pay them to release my PayPal payment.
That’s when I realized it was a scam and
I’d wasted my weekend translating for nothing.

[u/Key_Assistant_5911]

Aw man I feel gutted for you :( don't be ashamed I'd fall for it too

[u/joaospin]

If it looks too good to be true, it probably is.