Set Up or Paranoia?

[EchoSounding]

So I don't know where to post this but I'd really like some advice. This is making me super nervous and I don't know if I'm overreacting because of my anxiety or if my fears are legitimate.

So I got a message on my pet sitting site about a job. It's supposed to be a woman who has a Dachshund and she travels a lot. She stated that she is from Montreal, Canada and works for a non profit organization that does a lot of seminar and things. She is currently in New Mexico and she got an offer to travel to Istanbul and wants me to meet the mover who will also bring the dog. It's a two week job and has come up suddenly and she's moving to my area and would be here for about a year. She said she'd be paying with a cashier's check as she doesn't have a credit card.

I didn't think anything of it at first. I've sat for people who were still in the process of moving in before. I also don't have a credit card or PayPal or anything like that so this didn't seem too odd to me either. So I gave my address and name so she could send me the check.

But then, unfortunately after giving my info, I got a weird feeling. What if it's a scam? What if it's a human trafficking scheme? Now I watch a lot of crime shows, I have forensic files on as I type this, so I told myself you're just over reacting. Then my mother said, "Can you look this person up? What if it's a human trafficking rouse?" So my hackles raised. I didn't have much to go except an email and a name. Neither of which are connected to any social media I can find.

I began to look up pet sitter scams and found that there were some similarities. They said it's very rare for someone foreign to be moving to your area. The English isn't very well. They offer to pay you more right at first for whatever reason and then the check bounces. There were a few other things that were mentioned but I can't remember right now.

I've been waiting to hear back from her to see if the "they pay more at first" would come into play. Well she just recently sent a message asking if I could get her luggage, car and the dog. She said it wouldn't be any financial trouble to me because it would be covered by the check and I'd just pay them with that. She also said that once we met she would pay me more for all my extra work. And that she looked forward to meeting me soon.

Okay, so I'm sitting here thinking this is a good scheme. You get there, no one knows you in the area, it looks like it's just a mover and then you're taken. She also has never answered my questions about the dog. I asked her twice how many time she goes out, when she eats, stuff like that. And no response has been given about her. She also keeps referring to her as "my dog" and only ever mentioned her name once. I have pictures on the site so they would know who to target or who they were looking for.

I declined the offer saying there was a family emergency but now I don't know what to do. They have my name and address. What if they target someone else? Should I go to the police? I don't really have any proof, aside from the emails which I saved? I mean I could just be being paranoid right? I'm really unsure and my anxiety is being terrible right now. Any advice is appreciated.

[Daddysgirl113]

I'd report it to the police just to be on the safe side.Show the police the emails and let them look into it.x

[EchoSounding in reply to Daddysgirl113]

I asked someone who I used to go to church with and who is now a cop. He said there isn't much that can be done about it except documenting that it happened but it won't help. Thank you for your reply.

[Hidden]

Dear EchoSounding, I'm glad u pulled out of this, it seems bizarre. Always listen to that little voice. It certainly wouldn't hurt to go to the police. Paranoia in this day and age with all the scamming almost seems to b the norm as there r so many victimized. I wish u the best and really am glad u r cautious.

[EchoSounding in reply to Hidden]

I asked someone who I used to go to church with and who is now a cop. He said there isn't much that they can do about it so it was kind of pointless. He said he was almost scammed too while trying to sell a gaming system on Craiglist. Thank you. I try to always be cautious as the world is a dangerous place.

[Hidden in reply to EchoSounding]

I'm glad u r safe. Those criminals will get their dues some day.

[EchoSounding in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. I hope so

[mapofgaia]

It sounds like a scam. I'd just ignore and even block the emails. They are just trying to get your money. They don't want you.

[EchoSounding in reply to mapofgaia]

Yeah my friend confirmed as much. Said they almost got him too trying to buy a game system from him off Craigslist.

[Hidden]

Oh no! I'm afraid there are lots of scams. If you have the tiniest doubt don't reply.

[EchoSounding in reply to Hidden]

Yeah I wish I had realized it sooner but I think everything is okay.

[Windy101]

Scam. You could write her one email saying a family emergency came up and you cannot do it (then she won't pursue you). After that, block.

[EchoSounding in reply to Windy101]

That's exactly what happened. I haven't heard anything else at all. It sucks people can be so wrong to one another. I hope no one else falls for it.

[karnjadon]

I feel like it's better to pull away from a job that is causing you so much anxiety in any case. If you do decide to go through with it, maybe going with someone you trust will take some of the discomfort away

[Cantdealanymore]

Definitely not paranoia!! This seems awfully fishy and scam like.