As a freelance writer, I am constantly on the lookout for new gigs. As such, I am a regular visitor on Craigslist. Not the best source of employment for freelance writers, but in the past, I have found some valuable information.
Unfortunately, for every legitimate job, there are a number of dubious posts. It is impossible to recognize these scams as the individuals use a generic Craigslist i.d.
Not only is this a deceitful practice but every ad raises hope in freelance writers to be considered for a job, only to have that hope smashed.
One individual who likes playing tricks on freelance writers is Eric Scott, also known as Scott Eric, Magnus Aanya, John Klevs, Shawn, and probably a few others.
His ads read as follows:
Creative talented writers $1000 weekly
Hello, my name is Shawn and I am looking for 2 talented writers to help me with my publishing company. I am looking for those who can write short stories, blogs, and articles. Pay will be up to $30 per HR. Please Reply to email as it goes directly to my cell. I cannot have my text going off a million times.
Or
Working from home
Hi there! We are working on a project and we need additional VIRTUAL ASSISTANTS or CONTENT WRITERS to help us to get the tasks done.
Qualifications: good writing skills
** Option to make up to 200$ a month with only 10 minutes of work every day
When a writer responds to these ads the following message is received:
Goodday,
I am very sorry for replying you late i have been busy for the past three days now that is why i am unable to get back to you fast. My name is SCOTT ERIC, I am 60 Year old, I write in response to your message concerning the job posted on Craigslist which you're interested in, although the position has been filled but after going through your response, i'm quite impressed, but i have another position available if you will be interested, I am looking for someone who can handle my personal Assistance (PA) and business errands at his/her spare time.
I am in United State Of America ( U.S.A) presently so there will be no interview. I will prepay you in advance to do some business errands for me and have my mails/packages forwarded to your address. If you will be unable to stay at home to get the mails, I can have them shipped to a post office near you and then you can pick them up at your convenience. All errands will be in your city/town so It is not a must that you have a car for the job, you can go places by bus or taxi. When you get my mails/packages; you are required to mail them to where I want them mailed to. You won't have to put money out of your pocket, all you have to do is have packages shipped to your house. You ARE NOT ALLOWED TO OPEN THE PACKAGES TO REVEAL THE CONTENT. I will pay you $500 per week.
(email unedited)
Not only does this reek of a scam, it would appear that Eric Scott (or whatever his name is) is dabbling in something illegal. Packages that are not to be opened … hm, suspicious to say the least.
Needless to say, I did not follow up on this job, but the question remains ... when will Eric Scott, Scott Eric, Magnus Aanya, John Klevs, Shawn, or whatever his name is strike again and will he eventually find someone naive enough to fall for his scam?
Based in Toronto, Ontario, we are a company looking for qualified individuals
to help out with writing tasks such as:
- short stories
- movie scripts
- sales scripts
- articles
- news feeds
- PR websites
- blog posts
. . . and more.
Job Duties Include:
- Draft and create consumer content for lifestyle and health related websites
- Research new products and services with the relation to the consumers
- Create projects for blogs and other new media
- Brand messages with reaching a large online audience
You'll have the opportunity to work big name companies and popular websites in
several niches from news, geography, sports,
entertainment, travel, and others.
Qualifications:
- Highschool Graduate or GED qualified with an interest in writing for blogs,
stories, and other publications
- Experience in Journalism, English, Communications or other related fields
- Strong written communication skills with ability to proofread effectively
- Ability to manage multiple projects
- Experience with Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Excel)
- Internet access / online access
This is a part-time and full-time job, depending on your availability. Hours
are flexible from 10 to 40 hours per week.
Travel is not required. Pay is discussed via communication after application
process.
Please email us at rebeccaworkingjob@gmail.com with your full name and resume.
We will contact you soon within 24 hours Location: Toronto
Compensation: TBD
Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster.
Please, no phone calls about this job!
Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or
commercial interests.
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When you read an ad that promises writers TONS of money you should already smell a rat. Writers don't make tons of money, if they did everyone would become a writer.
That is
not the end of it though. There are NO
writing jobs, but for every sucker Rebecca snags, SHE GET CASH.
Yesterday I posted a
suspected scam alert posted via Craigslist.
I shared my blog post with Maria (the poster of the ad on Craigslist)
and she replied to me by email.
Its unfortunate that you
feel that way, as I just see myself as your everyday Marketing Graduate. I'm
not some "spammer" there is no need to bash me or what I do, if you
simply do not understand the network. I am twenty two years old. I am an open
minded individual with a four year Marketing Degree.
A marketing degree and she’s wasting her time on a scam.
A plan of the "new
rich" is to be open minded. I am sorry that you are so close minded as to
write a blog bashing the existence of the XXX Network which is Millions of
people all doing the same thing.
Millions of people?
^ Most XXX network affiliates end up
quitting their full-time jobs b/c simply making money is this easy so why
would WE bother with a full time job???
Why is anyone still going to work?
I am also a female who blogs everyday herself. Not
about business but simply my life, my beautiful friends, my interests fashion.
Etc. This isn't a website for fools, its a website a network for people are are
not wussys. Are motto is "no wussies allowed" my team travels to
costa rica, california, around the globe with their incomes. I wouldn't get any
money from you after you initial start up fee, you would keep 100% of what you
made after that. You already ruined that chance though, by bashing the entire
system.
Oh dear, I’ve
ruined my chance. Can someone please
give me a hanky. Oh well, I’ve ruined
other chances, the $250 million that a business man in Kenya was going to send
me, the $248 million that a Saudi prince wanted to give away, and the $43
million from some unfortunate soul in Nairobi.
With this chance ruined, how will I go on
living …
