I’ve been building websites for over 10 years, which means I’ve seen my share of scammers attempting to pull the wool over my eyes. Luckily, I’ve never fallen victim to this type of scam, but there are definitely some red flags to be on the lookout for.
Here’s How the Scam Started
I received an inquiry (image on the right) that all seemed normal at first glance. Upon receiving the inquiry, I began my research to have a productive conversation with the sender. I realized the link provided was incomplete, so I did some extra digging by trying a .com and .net option. The website link does not work. This was red flag number one. The person doesn’t know their own web domain? Fishy!
Adding to the initial strange findings, the phone number went straight to a busy signal. In 2023 what phone rings to a busy number?!
I emailed the sender and asked them to find a time to discuss their website goals.
The Final Straw
9 Days later, a response came. This is where I knew this was a scammer. Here’s what they wrote:
Thanks for getting back to me.
I just open a new Thailand restaurant in Houston Texas, which I now run and I need a website for my business to grow. I need you to go through this example link site https://www.barameethaibistro.com/ but I need something more perfect than this if possible.
I will like you to get back to me with an estimate. The estimate should include hosting and I want you to understand that I want the same page as the benchmark website. I only want it in English language, you will be responsible for updating the site quarterly or yearly.
The site should be up and running before early September. I want a shopping cart in my reservation page, also I don’t have a domain name yet and I will prefer: BUNDLEENRESTAURANT.NET.
My budget is $3500-$9000 for the web design. I have a private project consultant, she has the text content and the logos for the site with the image artwork, so please go ahead and check the example site.
Kindly get back to me with:
(1) A price estimate/quote based on the above information :
(2) your cell phone number:
Most new business owners are very hesitant over web design. They find it overwhelming and they have a lot of questions. It is abnormal for a potential client to know exactly what they need and how they want it to be.
The language in the first paragraph is the exact same setup I’ve seen time and time again. “I need a website for my business to grow”, the need to duplicate another site but for it to be “more perfect” is abnormal language for a new business owner.
Providing a budget upfront has NEVER once happened with a potential client. I have always asked what their budget is and typically receive a bit of hesitation. PLUS, the budget for a new business owner typically is much lower. By adding a high budget, the scammer is playing on the emotions of the designer hoping to get somebody who is desperate for a big pay day within a short time frame.
Potential clients have never asked me for my cell number in an initial inquiry. I had already provided a way for the person to schedule a call with me (that they did not do). There is no reason for me to have provided these details at this stage of the process.
