SmutGiant

I handle customer e-mails & inquiries for my dad's business and got this e-mail reply from a customer after I gave him a quote for his request...

Basically this guy is coming from the UK & has booked a limo in Toronto..

-------------------------------

hello Andrew,

However, subsequent to our discussions via messages, i
wish to let you know that i am finally able to proceed
with the payment for our reservations.

I have a loan/claims payment duely processed for and
accepted, through the help of my wife (who is from
Quebec), to enable us purchase a property. It is being
arranged and executed by my financial agents through
my agents in your country. Our submissions have been
evaluated and collated, and i have received
affirmation that it has been approved, pending
release.

The value of my loan is for $150,000
To this effect, i have informed my financial adviser
to effect a part payment to you covering $3,000
directly for the strecth limo , and to send the
balance
payment to me/my family here in london. this is
because if the money is sent direct to me here in
london, it will take a very long time to clear through
my bank (up to 8 weeks), and with the variations in
currency, it will take longer for conversion rates and
all.

This way, i am able to achieve the states goal in
record time because payment is via certified
check/bank draft for immediate cashing, i will need
you to forward to me the following information, which
i can then forward to the agent of the company, to
enable them mail this payment of $3,000 for the
booking of your services:

your full name, contact/mailing address, direct
contact telephone
number, and your bank name,

Once i get this, i will forward to them and instruct
them to deduct your charges ($3,000) from my approved
loan, and to prepare this certified check/draft and
mail to you via express mail immediately.

I will appreciate if you act asap, due to time
limitations on my side. our programme has been
shifted. it now starts on the 20th and ends on the
30th

------------------------------------------------

I'm about to e-mail him back requesting some additional information such as pick up and drop off addresses, hotel address etc and make a few calls to try and confirm this. His eagerness to pay so quickly and so far in advance of the service kind of has me concerned. We never invoice customers until after we've provided the service.

I also find it wierd that he's asking for the bank name in order to mail a check...

This guy could be part of some phishing scam or he could be legit. Does anybody else see a red flag or am I just being an idiot?