Confused

I have had a very strange couple of email coversations with a company and was wondering if anyone had had a similar experience or any advice.The first email was asking about a product I make but asking if I would redesign it to incorporate certain chages they wanted.I replied with a design sketch after which they asked me to make a mock-up for a meeting.I did so but they never arrived at the meeting. A week later I get another email saying that other meetings had overrun. They now wanted pictures so I emaiedl pictures over to them.The whole time they will not tell me what it is to be used for stating they are getting into a new area and would need me to sign a non-disclosure agreement at a face to face meeting.I have looked the company up on companies house website, it states they started trading in Feb this year but there is also an identically named company that dissolved previously.Not really sure what they could want from me if it is fraudulent afterall the item they have asked me about is easily found all over the internet so they wouldnt need me if they wanted to copy it.Very confused can anyone shed any light.

Replies

Cat Fereday June 9, 2009 at 8:14pm

Just a guess, but chances are you will be asked to part fund production / marketing of the product or to set up a bank account for purchasers to pay into which will subsequently be used as part of some kind of phishing scam. This just doesn't pass the smell test. If you want to, send me the name of the company and names of any contacts on an email via LJN and I'll do some further investigation for you - my advice, though, is to go no further.
Graeme @ BGS June 9, 2009 at 8:34pm

I would run like hell from this company. Now if you would like to transfer £500 to my bank account feel free. You might even win a prize :-)
Lawncare-4u.co.uk June 10, 2009 at 12:04am

dodgy , steer clear - anyone who sends u email that you dont know by name/contact is JUNK = FORGET IT AND CONCENTRATE ON 'YOU'....................................
Shadow Hall June 10, 2009 at 5:56pm

Thanks everyone I had already pretty much made up my mind this was a scam of some sort just couldnt work it out. Cat I will forward their details to you as I am curious. ooh what prize is it BGS haha.
Shadow
Graeme @ BGS June 10, 2009 at 5:57pm

Send the money first - you know the rules! :-)
Cat Fereday June 10, 2009 at 10:43pm

Great - can't wait to start digging around!

Shadow Jewers-Hall said:
Thanks everyone I had already pretty much made up my mind this was a scam of some sort just couldnt work it out. Cat I will forward their details to you as I am curious. ooh what prize is it BGS haha.
Shadow
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Phil Voice June 13, 2009 at 8:56am

I wonder how many fall for these scams?
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Helen Gazeley June 15, 2009 at 10:05am

I think you should pass on the details to Trading Standards. They may already know about the scam and might be amassing evidence so every little helps. They might even be able to explain the point of it.