Strange Letter from Prospective Student - Advice please

[ramseytheii]

Hello.  I recently posted an internet ad to attract students.  To my surprise I got a response just the day after, from a fellow in the UK (I am in America) who said his son is going to be in the states, and wants to take lessons.  I sent him some more information and he responded with this letter-

"Thanks for the mail,  B*** and the lesson will start from july
 30 to september 30 and you will received the payment before that
 day,i want 2 month coaching for him,so in your calculation for 2
 month is $***,my child is coming to stay with my cousin in USA  for
 the period of his learning .You are going to recieve the payment
 before the date, i have contacted my business associate that he
 should make my funds{$3500} available in payment of some farm
 equipment i supplied to him.He assured me he would make the payments
 available. I will instruct  him to get the CHECK across to you (ASAP)
 and as soon as you cash the CHECK you would need to deduct your
 amount of ($***) from the total of   ($3500)  and send the remaining
 balance to my cousin via western union money transfer who would be
 using the money to take care of my son and booking of ticket,buy some
 textbooks for him to practising at home.ok.Get back to me FULL
 NAME,HOME ADDRESS,YOUR PHONE NUMBER  so that the
  payment can be mail out to you soonest...
   Regards,
  M*** W******"

-
Does it seem rather odd?  Why am I being asked to take in this entire sum of money, and send the rest?  Why is it no concern to him if I am even in near proximity to where his son is going to be?  The email came with a title of "Rev." I assume short for Reverend, but why the bad, messy typing?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Walter Ramsey

[arensky]

It's a scam, it's been going around for about two years now. Delete it and pay no further attention.

[gilad]

yes, that looks so dodgy. Keep away.

[pianistimo]

tell him that you don't do business that way.  people can be odd and try to make their problems your problems.  you just don't do business that way. 

i tell specifically what i want.  i want to be paid every month at the beginning of the month (exception made to a few people - but rarely) for the entire month's lessons.  if a lesson is missed - it can be made up - but not refunded (as i rely on the income when i teach).  that making up the lesson is the students responsibility (to call and find out what time to come later in the week). 

[abell88]

It's a scam...if you accept you'll find you get the cheque, then before it's cleared they'll need the money back because of some kind of family emergency - you'll send them money and then find their cheque bounces. Or something like that...

[ramseytheii]

tell him that you don't do business that way.  people can be odd and try to make their problems your problems.  you just don't do business that way. 

i tell specifically what i want.  i want to be paid every month at the beginning of the month (exception made to a few people - but rarely) for the entire month's lessons.  if a lesson is missed - it can be made up - but not refunded (as i rely on the income when i teach).  that making up the lesson is the students responsibility (to call and find out what time to come later in the week). 

Thanks, I will reply and tell that.  It's true, we don't have to always change our business methods to suit the other people - especially in a case like this!

Walter Ramsey

[sayrabee]

Well, i'm glad to know i'm not the only one getting wierdo emails. I've gotten two over the last couple months. Some guy who's wife died and wants his child to come to the US to study for a couple hours a day, 3 times a week. I was wondering if i was suppose to keep him too...ha! I'm Sarah by the way, I'm new to the forum.

[jpianoflorida]

I get at least 3 of these a month...it's a scam.......

[Bob]

Scam.  Don't even respond.

[lostinidlewonder]

usually the scam will continue along the lines of;

sorry we cannot come anymore, but please keep the check, but can you send us x$ back please.

[juliax]

A friend of mine repairs computers for a living, and he gets those on a regular basis.  It's a bad check, and if you send them any money whatsoever, it's YOUR money.  Tell them to buggar off!