It's been a while since I've received a new scam e-mail, so this one took me a bit by surprise.  

They're not usually from Russia.  I almost titled my blog, "In Soviet Russia, Scammers Scam You..." but then I thought maybe people would think I was implying anyone from that area was shady, which is very far from the truth!  However, I couldn't resist telling you about it anyway, so you probably still think I'm a jerk.  Sigh.

So, without further delay...  The actual e-mail.  I removed the last name, on the off chance that this is not a scam (which it is).  But if you Google our proud papa, he was born in 1947 and won four gold medals in the Olympics as a biathlete and something about murder.  I don't know what about murder, exactly--blame it on my short attention span.  Beyond murder and elite sports, apparently he also is savvy in the ways of childbirth and stuff.

*** 



Hi,

Am Aleksandr from Moscow,my wife is 6months pregnant and she will be in your city on the 14th of August.Do you offer service for Child Birth Education and Breastfeeding classes?if yes kindly get back to me with the details below:

1-Charges per session
2-Years of Experience
3-Your Website

She will be staying 4 months or more.Awaiting your response so that i will book ahead before coming.

Thanks

Aleksandr [last name removed]

Just got this scam e-mail a few minutes ago and thought I'd throw it out for those of you who hadn't been so.... blessed....

Richard "frichardson48@yahoo.com"


My name is Frank Richardson and would need to confirm if you have a free date in June for 5 who needs childbirth education, Doula and also a yoga or Pilate fitness class.

I kindly asked that you provide me little information on your area of specialization and if possible method of operation.

God Bless,
Frank


Now, I'll admit that I'd seen this one before, as it had been posted on a doula forum I happened to visit yesterday.  This was word-for-word what the other doula had received, so I was already on high alert...  

Two things that stood out immediately:  His e-mail shows up under the name "Richard", but he signs off his e-mail as "Frank".  As an aside, I rarely trust people with two first names.  There's something uber-shady about being able to almost effortlessly have your own alias.  ;-) )

On the surface, this one seems nearly legit until you get to the last paragraph where "Richard" is asking about the recipient's "area of specialization" and "'if' possible method of operation".  I don't know how to "if".  Okay, well, maybe I do.  But if you don't already know my area of specialization, I'd like to inform you that I have pretty awesome ninja skills, Frank Richardson, if that is, indeed, your real name.  Let's set up a date for some doula/childbirth education/pilates/yoga and I'd be oh-so-happy to show you!

Warning, sister doulas....  The scammers are getting better with their interviewing skills.  Now if only they could fix their fishy grammar and spelling!

*Am engr Robert,i work as a contractor and my wife is a university
lecturer.We have been away for some months on a project here in egypt in conjuction with the arab contractors.My wife is 7months pregnant and we are helding back home,there in your city by next month(october 20th).l will need a good,loving and well manner doula for my wife.Kindly let me know ;

(1) What training have you had?

(2) Do you have one or more backup doulas for times when you
are not available?

(3) What is your fee, what does it include and what are your refund policies?

 Moreover i will need a doula for 4months or more than that,Kindly let me know what are your bills and what your first payment will be.I want you to be rest assured that the first payment will be paid before our arrival just for you to know how serious we are about it.

Lastly,i want you to know that there's a room for you in the home incase you may want to sleep,but that depends on you if you like or not.So kindly get back to me as soon as possible with your terms,and fee per week..

Await your response.

Engr Robert.*"


Dearest Engr Robert,  I will notify my back-up doulas just in case.....  Sigh.  And you're looking for a doula for four months?  I just choked on my coffee--thanks for that laugh.

I love spam about as much as I love paying bills or cleaning toilets.    And today is not the day to mess with me, Mr. Bill who AM from Egypt.  I'll show your fictitious wife my services, alright.  =P

Beware, doula sisters.  Don't walk with the Egyptian.

***

Hello,

Am Bill from Egypt,I would like more info about your service,Am coming to your country with my wife,she will be in need you as her doula.We will be in your city on August 9th and would be staying 5  months or more.Kindly let me know your charges and more details about your service.

Await your reply.
Engr Bill
Arab Contractor Supervisor
+20165542633(EGYPT)

....And don't get me started on the dude sending out e-mails to pretty much every doula I know looking to see who he can trip up.  It's not the only doula scam going around lately, so I hear, but the first one that has found little ol' me.  Last week, I met a local doula who got as far as taking her money orders to the bank and being told they were fraudulent to realize she was being scammed.  Yanks my chain a little, because it's not like doulas generally are raking in the dough doing what we do....

Here's the one I got:

Hi,

My name is Dan Isaac my wife name is Anita Isaac, We will like to ask for your service because my wife will be giving birth of our first child by early August. I will like to know what we have to do to have you as birth doula for my wife, because doula assistant means so much to us to give my wife much more confidence on her first birth.

We want you to tell us about your experience and ask whatever question you need to know. We will like to know about the process and also we like to know the amount you will like to take for your service.

Thanks

***

The language is a little.... off..... so I had a sneaking suspicion it wasn't legit.  A quick web search of "Dan Isaac doula scam" confirmed it before I invested any time in a reply.  Beware, doula sisters!  And gooood riddance!