It appears that he got me as well. Thank God I only did a couple of articles for him. Thank you for this post.

It appears that he got me as well. Thank God I only did a couple of articles for him. Thank you for this post.

This is the e-mail address that he is using.

ralph@mindsproutmarketing.freemy.name

This is the e-mail address that he is using.

ralph@mindsproutmarketing.freemy.name

Hi Kerri.

I’m glad to know that you were able to access the information that we’ve posted. It’s such a shame to know that so many people have been in contact with this person only to discover it’s a sham. We’re doing everything we can to alert the other sites that this person is practicing identity theft and uploading fraudulent posts. Make sure to read the descriptions that we’ve posted and look for the account names/IDs to try and weed him out.

Check back often. We’ll continue to update as the situation progresses. The good news is the FBI site has been very helpful and writers have been forwarding the emails to us to share with them. Keep your fingers crossed.

Sarah

Hi Kerri.

I’m glad to know that you were able to access the information that we’ve posted. It’s such a shame to know that so many people have been in contact with this person only to discover it’s a sham. We’re doing everything we can to alert the other sites that this person is practicing identity theft and uploading fraudulent posts. Make sure to read the descriptions that we’ve posted and look for the account names/IDs to try and weed him out.

Check back often. We’ll continue to update as the situation progresses. The good news is the FBI site has been very helpful and writers have been forwarding the emails to us to share with them. Keep your fingers crossed.

Sarah

The site that he used with mine was ifreelance.com

I have filed my own complaint with the FBI and will be filing with other agencies today. I gave him every opportunity to pay for the work I provided, and he refused to respond. Also, I believe that this person has also used the name Samuel Jester going under Jane Content. I was approached by that person as well.

The site that he used with mine was ifreelance.com

I have filed my own complaint with the FBI and will be filing with other agencies today. I gave him every opportunity to pay for the work I provided, and he refused to respond. Also, I believe that this person has also used the name Samuel Jester going under Jane Content. I was approached by that person as well.

That was one of the other sites that I’ve just contacted.

I’ll reach out to Jane Content and let them know about the Samuel Jester. This guy is a royal sleeze. Unfortunately, when he posed as James Clemmons for Jane Content I became a victim and he has never paid for the five articles that I submitted to him. I have since taken the articles and posted them on various ezine sites.

Most of the freelancers that have been emailing me have either been in the same predicament, or they came close and are now filing complaints about the fraudulent postings on the sites that they’ve found the postings on.

Hope we can take this guy down as a team.

That was one of the other sites that I’ve just contacted.

I’ll reach out to Jane Content and let them know about the Samuel Jester. This guy is a royal sleeze. Unfortunately, when he posed as James Clemmons for Jane Content I became a victim and he has never paid for the five articles that I submitted to him. I have since taken the articles and posted them on various ezine sites.

Most of the freelancers that have been emailing me have either been in the same predicament, or they came close and are now filing complaints about the fraudulent postings on the sites that they’ve found the postings on.

Hope we can take this guy down as a team.

Add another one to the list of sites on which he’s lurking.

He found me on freelancer.co.uk and has used both his Ralph Basinger name and his Samuel Jester. He also sent me a contract that I admit looked professional but after some intricate study I found a few anomalies. I guess he wasn’t counting on finding a freelancer with a knowledge of contract law, eh?

Anyway, I’ve reported him to site management and I’m just about to make use of that little link you’ve left.

What a scumbag.

Add another one to the list of sites on which he’s lurking.

He found me on freelancer.co.uk and has used both his Ralph Basinger name and his Samuel Jester. He also sent me a contract that I admit looked professional but after some intricate study I found a few anomalies. I guess he wasn’t counting on finding a freelancer with a knowledge of contract law, eh?

Anyway, I’ve reported him to site management and I’m just about to make use of that little link you’ve left.

What a scumbag.

Hi Rhys.

What a jerk! The freelance count that I’ve been able to connect with (including you) is now at eight. I’m absolutely livid that he’s doing this to people. The worst part is that after I’ve contacted a site to have the project removed and have him banned, he pops right back with a new account ID and a slight tweak on the project description. These freelance sites should use IP identification for all employers who post to determine if the postings are originating from the same computer and location.

Wishful thinking on our part I’m sure. Definitely use the link. I’ve been sharing it with everyone and I’m convinced that the more submissions they receive regarding this person, the more swift the action will be to remedy.

Keep me posted if you discover any more of his scheming and I’ll make sure to broadcast and update the blog post with details so that others have a leg up.

Thanks Rhys. Great to hear from you and sorry that we’re meeting under such unfortunate circumstances.

Hi Rhys.

What a jerk! The freelance count that I’ve been able to connect with (including you) is now at eight. I’m absolutely livid that he’s doing this to people. The worst part is that after I’ve contacted a site to have the project removed and have him banned, he pops right back with a new account ID and a slight tweak on the project description. These freelance sites should use IP identification for all employers who post to determine if the postings are originating from the same computer and location.

Wishful thinking on our part I’m sure. Definitely use the link. I’ve been sharing it with everyone and I’m convinced that the more submissions they receive regarding this person, the more swift the action will be to remedy.

Keep me posted if you discover any more of his scheming and I’ll make sure to broadcast and update the blog post with details so that others have a leg up.

Thanks Rhys. Great to hear from you and sorry that we’re meeting under such unfortunate circumstances.

I have just had an e-mail from him to after making contact with him on Freelancer.co.uk, but felt something was a bit strange about it, so did some research and found this page.

Thankfully I haven’t wasted too much time or done any articles.

Thanks for the alert.

I have just had an e-mail from him to after making contact with him on Freelancer.co.uk, but felt something was a bit strange about it, so did some research and found this page.

Thankfully I haven’t wasted too much time or done any articles.

Thanks for the alert.

Hi Phil.

Thanks for the contribution to this thread. Glad to know that nothing transpired and that he was unable to victimize you the way that he with so many others. If you’re able, can you alert freelancer.co.uk to the fraudulent posting and poster. I’ve done the same several days ago, but it appears that they haven’t pulled it yet. Perhaps if they receive more complaints they’ll take action? What email address did he use for contact? Reason that I’m asking is the one listed in the blog post above seems to be disconnected. Wasn’t sure what he’s moved on to.

Keep me posted Phil.

Cheers,

Sarah

Hi Phil.

Thanks for the contribution to this thread. Glad to know that nothing transpired and that he was unable to victimize you the way that he with so many others. If you’re able, can you alert freelancer.co.uk to the fraudulent posting and poster. I’ve done the same several days ago, but it appears that they haven’t pulled it yet. Perhaps if they receive more complaints they’ll take action? What email address did he use for contact? Reason that I’m asking is the one listed in the blog post above seems to be disconnected. Wasn’t sure what he’s moved on to.

Keep me posted Phil.

Cheers,

Sarah

Hi, Sarah!

It’s sad to see so many people have been scammed by this guy. What can I say? I’m glad I gave in to my intuition and mailed a hard copy of the contract to Mindsprout! Thanks so much for being vigilant and alerting others to this man. I’ll be filing my own report with the FBI shortly.

All the best – and thank you again for contacting me personally about “Ralph Basinger.”

Hi, Sarah!

It’s sad to see so many people have been scammed by this guy. What can I say? I’m glad I gave in to my intuition and mailed a hard copy of the contract to Mindsprout! Thanks so much for being vigilant and alerting others to this man. I’ll be filing my own report with the FBI shortly.

All the best – and thank you again for contacting me personally about “Ralph Basinger.”

Hi Lori.

This guy is a complete loser. If you type in the profile IDs from the blog post above you can see what he’s posted and to how many sites. If you do a keyword search for the names of the projects, that will pull up a huge chunk too. I hope that Freelancer will remove the profiles and postings. As of today, they’re still live.

You’re absolutely welcome for the contact. It was so nice to meet you and I’m glad that I saved you from the experience that I had (wrote 5 articles and ended up with a dime).

Thanks Lori and definitely use the weblink to file a complaint.

Best,

Sarah

Hi Lori.

This guy is a complete loser. If you type in the profile IDs from the blog post above you can see what he’s posted and to how many sites. If you do a keyword search for the names of the projects, that will pull up a huge chunk too. I hope that Freelancer will remove the profiles and postings. As of today, they’re still live.

You’re absolutely welcome for the contact. It was so nice to meet you and I’m glad that I saved you from the experience that I had (wrote 5 articles and ended up with a dime).

Thanks Lori and definitely use the weblink to file a complaint.

Best,

Sarah

There is now a jessestone4675 on ifreelance.com that I believe to be the same person. Just beware, and don’t take anything without a down payment (retainer) first.

There is now a jessestone4675 on ifreelance.com that I believe to be the same person. Just beware, and don’t take anything without a down payment (retainer) first.

Awesome catch Kerri! Based on you the ID that you supplied I was able to do a search and saw the job description. It matches what he just posted on Guru. It’s exactly the same and it shows that he’s in Tallahassee, FL. Here’s the job description. This is guy is a pig!

Guru.com
Project ID: 603074
Description:
I need 30 original articles written for my new website with a
minimum of 400 words per article.
The right person…:

• Writes FLUENT English – this is very important.

Natives writers are highly preferred.

The rate of pay should be between 5$-10$ per article

If the successful bidder performs an excellent job with this
I will likely employ them for similar projects in the future.

Note: Topics for the articles are already chosen.

I’m sending out an alert to Guru to have him removed.

Thanks a million for the detective work. I’ve been watching and doing the exact same thing.

Awesome catch Kerri! Based on you the ID that you supplied I was able to do a search and saw the job description. It matches what he just posted on Guru. It’s exactly the same and it shows that he’s in Tallahassee, FL. Here’s the job description. This is guy is a pig!

Guru.com
Project ID: 603074
Description:
I need 30 original articles written for my new website with a
minimum of 400 words per article.
The right person…:

• Writes FLUENT English – this is very important.

Natives writers are highly preferred.

The rate of pay should be between 5$-10$ per article

If the successful bidder performs an excellent job with this
I will likely employ them for similar projects in the future.

Note: Topics for the articles are already chosen.

I’m sending out an alert to Guru to have him removed.

Thanks a million for the detective work. I’ve been watching and doing the exact same thing.

Hi, I have recently fell victim to him too. I replied to his ad for a freelancer and after signing what appeared to be a legitimate contract with “Mindsprout”, have received no payment after completing the work. I'm UK based, so he could be targeting people in a different country to the US. As before it was for insurance articles, and the ad that is shown here was very similar to the one I responded too. Hope this helps.

Hi Richard.

Thanks for sharing and, again, I'm sorry that this has happened to you. I hope that if enough of us band together we'll be able to put a stop to him.

I keep my eyes open everyday and also hope that the FBI website will be helpful (in terms of reporting).

Keep us posted.

I know it isn't the main issue, but don't you just love people who say things like:
< Only unique content with PERFECT grammar will be accepted >
and then say:
< If you cannot meet the deadlines, have poor English, or you will end up in writing plagiarized content > and < You have to be perfect English with proper punctuation and pluralization > and < excellent English, There should be no single
Grammatical mistake >

Best of luck in dealing with this issue. Colleagues, beware of any such ad, no matter who it seems to come from!

[...] There seems to be a rise on scams aimed at freelance writers. I have been had twice, and the total cost to me stands at around £800. (This figure has been worked out through a combination of factors which include loss of promised money, loss of money that could have been spent working on legitimate projects, ant time spent tracking down scam artists). The last scam was a very professional operation. The perpetrator, Ralph Basinger, claimed to work for Mindsprout marketing, and furnished a contract to that effect which was written on Mindsprout Marketing headed paper. Somewhat ironically, I did a search for his name on Google which showed nothing unusual. If I had searched a few days later, a search engine page full of results would have appeared warning me off the guy, and showing he was a fraud. It is difficult to see what someone could hope to earn from the frauds, as material posted on a site could be easily tracked, and material sold to others would be peanuts in the grand scale of things. For this to be a truly profitable venture, new scams would have to be created, which ups the ante in terms of risk as writers like me become wise to the acts. Nonetheless, the scams do persist. All I can add to what I have already been written before is to keep vigilant, check search engines regularly to see if there is any unpalitable news posted, and be sure to spread the word about the scam. If you do get scammed, report it to this website, and keep your eyes peeled. Many scam artists have more than one going at a time, and have a tell tale style. For info about Ralph Basinger visit http://mindsproutmarketing.com/blog/2010/04/alert-not-associated-with-ralph-basinger/. [...]

Do you think this could be the same guy?
I require 30 very high quality, unique, keyword optimized articles on for expanding my website on various topics like heath, insurance, medicaments, reviews, etc. nothing to fancy. The articles must contain at least 400-500 words and at least 3 paragraphs. I will provide related keywords and any special instructions after you are approved for the assignment.

You must upload samples of previous writing to be considered for this job. These articles must be grammatically correct and have no spelling errors!

These articles must make logical sense and be of sufficient quality for submission to ezinearticles.com or other article directories. They must be written in perfect English.

Articles must be submitted to me in batches of 5 and I must see if changes are required before you write and submit the next 5, in this way we will work faster. The articles must be submitted to me in word format.

I’m not looking for cheap fast work, I will be happy to wait more and pay how much it takes to get the highest quality possible. I have bad experience with non natives I will choose a native writer.

I’m not in a hurry I will take my time, read all the samples and consider each bid before taking my decision. The first word in your bid must be 'understand' to prove you read and understood all these requirements.