The "Can you coach my daughter scam"

A variation on an old scam

Good morning friends, (or afternoon, or evening, depending on your time of consumption) I come to you today with some intel on a scam that has been around for a while but seems to be picking up some steam, especially within the Pickleball community (though it is found in all sports). It is simply a variation on the "overpayment" scam that is common across different areas, like marketplace and auction fraud schemes, but as there is probably an influx of new Pickleball coaches around the country, they may not be as aware of it.

I recently saw the initial email on this scam in my spam email, but my first thought was "HEY...CONTENT!" I am not a pickleball coach, but I am an addict and run some leagues locally, so it is not a surprise that my name got on some scammers radar. Here is the email from the email address mkjj4fams@gmail.com. (If you like to mess with scammers, send her/him a response I bet you get a response):

"Hi Pickleball Instructor

Good Morning and how are you doing today? I,m Marina Valcarcel-Result , i need a Pickleball Instructor for my daughter. 

Where are you located and how much is your hourly rate? Waiting for more details.

Regards, Marina Valcarcel-Resalt"

Here was my response (in all its glory!)

"$150 per hour. Potsdam, New York."

Now a couple of red flags should have risen if this person was legitimate: 1) $150 for an hour Pickleball lesson for a 12-year old is certainly not standard (or reasonable). And Potsdam is a little town in upstate in NY that I am quite certain this scammer would never have heard of OR know where it is.

Her/his response:

"Hello Darren

Thanks for your email, I'm glad to know you are available to coach my daughter.

 Am from Auckland New Zealand, My daughter Aria will be  relocating to my sister's house in Potsdam in a week from now and I'm hoping the lessons will improve her skills. Can your rate is negotiable 

We wish her general improvement in any areas she might have difficulties and we have made provisions for her kits. Aria is 12yrs old.

We do appreciate it if you can bring out the best quality in her,I would like the lessons to be held twice a week for 1hour per lesson.

Can you please tell us the total cost for the first 8 lessons?

Waiting for your feedback, If it's Ok we can finalize and proceed on arranging upfront payment.

Regards,

Marina"

I laughed out loud reading this about how ludicrous it was. Firstly, NO ONE is moving to Potsdam, NY on PURPOSE (ok, that is harsh, but if you know, you know!) NOR is any mother in New Zealand sending their 12-year old to Potsdam alone (Poor due diligence on their part - just saying). But I'm a gamer, I'll play along, so here was my response:

"Wow, how fortunate. What are the odds? 8 lessons would be $1000 and I can guarantee absolute success."

Well, this was very exciting for Marina (I feel like we are almost friends now) so she quickly responded:

"Hello  Darren

I'm delighted to know we have come to an agreement that you are able to coach my daughter.I spoke to my husband about your rates and he has agreed  for the sessions to commence,  I want you to know that my husband and I had initially hired a private Coach for Aria and he was supposed to coach her for 20 weeks which we have paid for.

Just before we concluded on session days and time, he lost his wife and he has decided to suspend Coaching at the moment and take proper care of his three Kids.

He has agreed to have my money sent to any reliable coach I can trust who'll be handling Aria with her lessons.

We are making payment to you and we will  instruct our previous instructor to remit payment to you and  the funds will be  issued on your Name and sent out to your receiving address, but I'll need you to have your costs for Aria's sessions as agreed which  total cost will be  $1000  for her lessons.

Kindly deduct your fee from ($3,499) then the balance will be remit to Aria's travel agent for her traveling expenses as the funds will be used in securing her flight tickets and other travel documents as this is highly required upon her arrival at the American airport according to the American Immigration rules as applicable to an international Student. If this works with you, I'll need you to provide me with your  details for Payment

Details Required(Full Name that will be written on the Check),

( Receiving Address and Phone Number where you will receive the check ) . 

I'll instruct our previous instructor to issue payment to you

Gladly, I must say Aria is excited about these and she would like to meet her new instructor has been telling her friends over the phone about her new instructor in the states! Also any day or time of the week that works best with you for sessions works just fine with us as   Aria's schedule for now is fully open.

Regards,Marina"

So there is the scam laid out. I cash the check, send the overage to Marina and then the bank responds ultimately that the check is bogus, I am out that money, and on it goes... A scam as old as time, but now with a Pickleball twist. I am sure that in Europe this is also happening to Padl coaches (what the heck is with that game anyway....).

I could have waited for the check to come and continue engaging, but you fine people would be without this little article (plus I don't live in Potsdam so there is that), so I sent my final email:

"I appreciate all this.  I am actually a retired FBI Agent and cybercrime subject matter expert and podcast host.  Thank you for the content.  This will all be good as I discuss this scam and raise the awareness.  

And, but the way, NO ONE moves to Potsdam, NY on purpose.  I hope some day I see you name in an arrest report.

Love ya!"

I assume that poor Aria is probably going to have to move to some new city now, but I can't let that get me down. I doubt I will hear from Marina, but if I do, I'll update you.

But the point of all this is that the nature of cyber scams rarely change, but the delivery does and bad guys are always looking for new angles; so if you have a pickleball fanatic or coach in your life, let them know that this scam is coming their way at some point. There are plenty of PB groups on Facebook and finding potential targets by these scammers is like shooting fish in a barrel.

Have a safe rest of your day, week, and weekend.

Know that knowledge is protection, if we can understand the threats targeting us, we can assess our risk and proceed wisely.

Love ya,

Darren