This guy is a complete scam. Unfortunately, I thought I was getting a profitable job and what he asked me to do was just part of the job description. Geez - Don't I feel stupid. Fortunately, I caught everything before it went to far - and hopefully proper charges will be charged against whoever this guy (or girl) is! Please learn from my mistake. Its a tough economy right now and it is just plain cruel what this person is doing.

Here are the series of emails that were exchanged:
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EMAIL 1:
Hello,

Hope you're having a pleasant day today You contacted me applying for the position which I advertised on Craigslist. Do take time to go through this introductory mail and feel free to pass any questions on.

My profile briefly:
I'm Michael J. David's, 52, and a father of 2 wonderful kids, a successful entrepreneur and investor, a member of the Angel Investment Network. I'm also a research journalist and I travel every now and then within and outside the US working on various independent projects, this is why I need someone who can help keep up to date with all of my activities especially when I'm away and amidst my busy schedule.

I have had a previous PA who has been very commendable in her activities and who has been part of my life for the past 6 months, she has since moved on with her personal life and it has affected me in a way. I found her previously on the craigslist website and I sincerely hope I will be able to find someone again who will be as efficient as she has been. Please note that you are being hired only on a personal level. All correspondences would be made and promptly reported to me personally. The position is part time and home-based meaning you can work most times from your home as long as you have a regular internet access. You are also hired on a trial basis for now until we are able to see how well we fit in, this however does not affect your weekly wage.

Most of your activities will be carried out locally and most official packages will be delivered via posts. You will be actively involved in my personal, business and financial life. In summary, your activities as my assistant amongst other things will include;

* Acting as an alternative telephone correspondence;
* Running personal errands, supervisions and monitoring;
* Organizing and maintaining diaries, memos and making appointments;
* Dealing with incoming email, faxes and post;
* Carrying out background research and presenting findings;
* A personal reminder for Schedules, programs, flights and keeping me up to date with them as they come up;
* Arranging travel and accommodation
* Carrying out specific projects and research;
* Taking on some of the my responsibilities and working more closely with management and other staff related to me;
* Making regular contacts and drop-offs on my behalf.
* Handling and monitoring financial activities.
* Processing and taking charge of weekly payments and purchases.
* You will also be a part of my household and a helping hand to issues as they arise.
* General clerical activities.

Basic wage is $550 a week.

Any extra personal expenses (transport, gas, etc) incurred by you while on an errand or otherwise will also be reimbursed by me at the end of each working week.

This position is very flexible and it is difficult judging the exact number of hours you will be doing, just bear it in mind that there will be busier weeks than others with a steady pay. Working with me is basically about instructions and following them, my only fear is that I may come at you impromptu sometimes, so I need someone who can be able to meet up with my irregular timings. There is also a very sensitive issue on trust, dedication and accountability which I believe will resolve itself as time goes on.

This is only an introductory e-mail, as time goes on we should be able to arrange a proper meeting to get things started officially. I'm currently in Thailand now for a project, however, I do have a number of things you could help me with immediately, prior to my arrival.

Due to the excessive number of responses to my Ad, do provide the following details about yourself for my personal record update and to filter applicants;

Full Names
Full Contact Address
City
State
Zip Code
Home Phone Number
Cell Phone Number
Occupation (if any)
Age

I hope you can be available for me immediately before I arrive, it certainly can act as a stable foundation to our impending working relationship.

Hope to hear from you again.

Regards
Michael J. David's


EMAIL 2:
Hello (my name here - cut and pasted from what I typed to him),
Thanks for your reply, and hope this marks the beginning of a good working relationship all together.

From the details you have sent to me, I would like to give you the opportunity to be my new assistant; I do hope my decision will be worthwhile. I'll be using the next couple of weeks to test your efficiency and diligence towards this. I really need to find the perfect person for this job, and i hope you can take up the challenge and on the long run we should have a relatively sound working relationship between us.

I hope we can get a head start with things as soon as possible. I have had to put a hold on a lot and I would appreciate it if you can be available for me immediately. I do have a couple of urgent tasks for you which will include you making some purchases and payments on my behalf. You will receive a check payment and some money orders via mail which will also cover your wage bouns for the week as well as all other purchases payments needed to be made on my behalf. I will update you further on this giving you a comprehensive list on how to go about them.

My daughter also have a birthday coming up in 3 weeks, which i have a surprise party planned for her so you will also be working hand in hand with the plan in organizing gifts and anything else for the party. Kindly reply this e-mail as soon as possible to further signify your interests in working with me. Hope i have a confidence in you and I am looking forward to a good working relationship between us. I hope you will be up to, perhaps better than my presumptions about you.

Hope to hear from you again soon.

Regards.
Michael J. Davids

EMAIL 3:
Hello PA,
I'm sorry for getting back to you so late, It was due to the fact that I'm very busy here in Thailand setting up my business plans & new project.

However, this is to inform you that the funds for the orphanage have been sent, and you will be getting it any moment henceforth by courier service. The payment was sent to your home address, so ensure you stay at home so you can sign for the delivery of the package and proceed with your first assignment.

You will receive a payment during this week ( Wesnsday / Thursday ), as soon as you receive the check payment, Please locate a nearby store around you to get some toys, I want to donate them to an orphanage home, I will get you the list of items to buy upon the confirmation of payment receive. The payments will cover your weekly wage bounds and also for the duty you are to carry out. Once you receive the payment, you cash it at your bank, and wait for my instructions. Upon the confirmation of funds received, I'll give you the list of items to buy and also the Name and address of the Orphanage Home.

Note: You would have to keep a comprehensive record on every activity you carry out.

Kindly look up for the check payment
Thanks
Michael J. Davids

EMAIL 4:
Hello PA,
How are you doing today? I hope you are having a great time.
Note : I've been informed that the check payment have been delivered to you today via ups tracking number J219 271 5670

However, I contacted the orphanage home and I was given the list of the items needed, The items are much and it will cost alot of money to get them shipped, so we have reached an accord. They will be getting the items themselves, all you need do is simple, Kindly cashed the payment at your bank Or any cashing store arround you and deduct $200 from the money which I will tell you what to do with it later, and then you have the remaining funds sent via western union money transfer to the orphanage home.

Below is the Orphanage Western Union information to send the funds..

RECEIVER'S NAME: Kristin Zellmann
ADDRESS: 25 Ridge Rd.
CITY: North Arlington
STATE: NJ
ZIP CODE : 07031

when sending the funds, ensure you send it using the money in minute option, Kindly go ahead with the task and get back to me with the following information after when you must have complete the tranfer today.
1.. Money Transfer control Number ( 10 digit MTCN # )
2.. Total Amount sent,
3.. Sender's Name and Address

I will be waiting to read back from you asap and i also have some other assignment for you to be done next week. More also note, You will receive your $550 wage by next week.

I want you to be rest assured that I'll never stress you at all in any assignment given to you and i promise to pay your fee weekly as we both agreed.

Take good care of yourself and have a blessed day.
Kindly get back to me Asap.

Thanks,
Michael J. Davids

EMAIL 5:
Hello PA,
Thanks for those information.

Well note : I want you to use that $200 for some bill payment, so kindly buy the fooloing item's

1... America Traveler check of $100 and
2... MoneyGram Money order of $100.

Kindly buy those 2 items today and email me the FRONT & BLACK of those item, so i can instruct yiu on what next to do.

Please do that now and get back to me.

I look up to hear from you
Regards
Micheal J Davids
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I hope someone learns from my mistake. I was fortunate enough to only have lost the fees from sending the money via western union. I hope no one else has to go through this.