I just want everyone to be made aware of this - apparently
widespread - tutor scam that is going on through craigslist (for
more info on how the scam works go to
http://parents.berkeley.edu/recommend/tutors/scam.html). Here is my
correspondance with the two scammers, one "Azrael Lewis" in Israel,
and one "William Bruce" also from overseas (unnamed country) who
posted to the south Florida craigslist.

Here is the first scammer I emailed with "Azrael Lewis" from
Israel:

This is the craiglist posting:

Reply to: lazrael43@yahoo.com Date: 2009-03-27, 5:44PM EDT

I am seeking a part-time teacher for my dear daughter who need some
moral and understanding in some subjects, I am in need of a good
teacher who can tutor any of this subject:

English Language Maths Spanish Language Computer French Science

Although I trust my instincts, I was without any leads when I
decide to Put this Ad on here. And I feel integrity that I would
find a very good teach on here.

I will want you to send me your resume or talk more about your
experience in you consider yourself been fit for this position.For
you to qualify I will want you to consider yourself for these
question.

*speak at least fairly good English *be a non-smoker *have check
able references *be willing to stay for months or more

* Location: Palm Beach * Compensation: $45

the first email from "Azrael":

Thanks for the reply. The position is still available and thanks
for wanting to take my daughter for your subject. Its really
amazing and she is very happy.

I have made contacts with my Daughter concerning the arrangement of
the tutoring which she told me is ok by her and I want you to know
that i am going to pay for 1 month, which should be $45.00/hr(as I
have in mind) And am planning that you will be teaching her 3 times
a week,which is 2hr per day, so get back to me with the total fee
and when you will be available to teach her during the week. I want
you to tell me when you will be available to take her the Lesson,
Time & Days.

Also to tell you that we don't live in the states, We live in
[Yerushalayim,Isreal] and my Daughter will be coming to the states
probably next two week, also i want her to study more about what
she need to know while she is in the states. She will be getting to
the US on the ( 10th of April ) and the Lesson will start the
following week,which is 13th of April

About My Daughter: Her name is Jezebel, she is very gentle girl and
easy going... She will be staying in (Palm Beach) with a Nanny.The
Nanny will always bring her for the Lesson. So my daughter English
is not Fluent but understanding. She is wanting to study more in
USA but would love for her to be having this lesson first till i
get to work things out with the school she wants to study more.

I want you to know that i will be sending you the payment
inform of A CERTIFIED CHECKS for the tutorial while i will also
have to pay the Nanny that will be taking care of Jezebel while
she is there, so as soon as you get the Payment cashed, you will
deduct cost of tutoring of the lesson ( 1st month ) and send the
remaining balance to the Nanny that will be taking care of Jezebel
which the information will be giving to you later. The Lesson will
be taking for 2 Months or more but I pay for 1st month and The
other month will be pay as the Lesson goes and by then I would work
out her school.

Regarding this, kindly send your full information to receive
the payment so it can be made out on-time. So hope i can trust you
that you will teach my Daughter good Academics and some moral
respects so that she can be good to people & herself. i hope i can
count on you for the tutorial and the money to be sent to the
Guardian. She so much Interested to learning.

PS: I will need you to give me nearest place to your home or a
library where you want the Lesson to be taking OR If your home is
ok with you, the Nanny can bring her there too.

Information Needed:

NAME: ADDRESS: CITY: STATE: ZIP CODE: CELL/HOME PHONE:

Awaits your reply. God Bless.

Here is the posting of the second scammer "William Bruce" who is
overseas, but wont say from where:

Accomodative Maths and English Tutor (All areas)

Reply to: a.million.you.never.made@gmail.com Date: 2009-04-04,
5:43PM EDT

In need of an experienced tutor in Maths and English an experienced
tutor to help my son .Tutor must be motivative and show willingness
to accommodate a teaching ability during the period.

Reference: 1.He/she must be capable to teach 2.must be competent
and must be skilled. 3.Qualification is not compulsory.

Interested applicant should apply to resume immediately

William Bruce * Location: All areas * Compensation: $50 per
Hour

here is the first email from "William Bruce"

Hello , How you doing ? I received your email now for the tutor
I want for my son..I have read through your resume and i must
confess i am really contented with your qualifications.Let me start
with telling you a little about my the nature of the job..You are
going to be tutoring my son and he is a 7th grader.He is 12 years
of age,his name is James. I hope you would be able to cope with him
as he is a very playful boy.If yes ,I would like us to proceed with
this .I would be paying you $50.00/ hr and you would be taking him
2 times a week.In which each day you would be taking him for
2hrs.So get back to me with the total fee for the subject which is
Maths and English because I intend paying you altogether for 2
weeks ..I will like to have him tutored in a quite place probably
in a library if there is any around you..I do think it is a good
idea to meet at a library, it is a quiet atmosphere and has many
academic resources should we need to look something up, plus in my
experience it is good to get the student out of their house to put
them in a focused productive mood and so that distractions won't
present themselves... I would like you to draw a schedule when you
would be available to teach him in a week and also I would like to
know the subjects you would lecture him on each day ( I guess it
should be 2 per day.. right ? ). I would like to make this clear
to you, we don't live in the states,my son is coming to the states
and i intend to put him in care of a nanny which i will get in dew
time. I don't want him to play all along that's the reason I am
employing you. He would be coming down in 3 weeks time.I also
belief a check is good as a mode of payment.... Get back to me if
all stated above is ok with you so that we may proceed from
there...

Regards William Bruce

Here is the second email: He would be staying with a nanny and the
nanny will determine where we will be staying but i can assure you
its not going to be out of reach for you.He is a very brilliant boy
and has a very sharp learning skill.The nanny will be responsible
for bringing him and taking him back home after tutoring
sessions.He will be staying for 3 months and i will virtually be
needing your services throughout his stay..He won't be having any
program or going to school as he is coming for a sort of holiday.He
will has all the materials he needs to cover so there wouldn't be
necessary for you to find one.The nanny will be bringing him to
your scheduled class..I will like to make the payment of the ist 2
weeks in advance..my client would be handling the payment for your
services and also for the services of the nanny that would be
taking care of my son. He would be sending you a check. He would
include both fees in the check ( i mean your fees and that of the
nanny).. .I hope I can entrust my sons and funds to be sent to the
nanny on you. James will be moving down in 3 weeks time so there
is no much time on my side Meanwhile , I would like you to get
back to me as soon as possible so that the check can be issued out
in your name in good time:

FULL NAME: PHYSICAL CONTACT ADDRESS: CITY: STATE: ZIP CODE: CELL
PHONE: HOME PHONE: BEST TIME TO CALL: TOTAL AMOUNT FOR 2 WEEKS DAYS
AND TIME TO MEET WITH HIM: TUTORING LOCATION: 2 PERSONAL
REFERENCES: Will be waiting to read your mail soon. Thank you

William Bruc

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