Getting Scammed

Recently I decided to start teaching piano again. I wanted to bump up my client list from more than my 2 daughters. So I started advertising. There have been many phone calls, many conversations but few that "bite". Which is understandable. But I wanted to keep the ball rolling so I thought I'd advertise on Craigslist.

Two days into the posting I got this email.

Hello, I'm Colby Alvin....I will like to know if you can Tutor my son in your field 3 times in a week and 1 hour each day If this is possible,i will want you to get back to me with the cost of your teaching and get back to me with your cell phone number .

Thank and God bless

Innocently I replied to his email with this...

Mr Alvin,
Thank for your interest in my piano lessons. Normally I see kids once a week for 30 mins and then have them take the assigned pages home to practice on their own with parental guidance. My fees are usually $20 per 30 min lesson. If you are looking for a more comprehensive lessons that would involve the child practicing their piano music in my home we can work something out.
I do have a few questions that will help me better understand the needs and situation:
How old is your son?
Has he taken any piano lessons previously?
Does he currently play any instruments?
Does anyone in the home play any instruments?
Do you own a piano or keyboard?
I normally teach lessons from the Bastian series books and go over technique and songs during my lessons. Please feel free to contact me with more questions or if you are still interested. I would be glad to set up a meet and greet.
Rachel

But then this morning I was cracking up when I got this email in response. I love it!

Hello........Thank you for the email, My son is 14 years old he's name is Joe .I could have love to meet you in person before starting the lesson but i will be traveling next week on a missionary that is the more reason why i will not be able to meet you and my son will come down to your location for the lesson because i have already make arrangement with Guardian that will be taking care of him for his period of tutoring I have make contacts with my son concerning the arrangement of the tutoring which he told me he's ok with him and i want you to know that i am going to pay for 1 month and i will be making a bank transfer into your account for the payment . i want you to know that the rest of the money will be used to get accommodation and other arrangement for the lesson .I will be more than happy if you can get back to me with your bank name and account details as soon as possible.

Thanks and God bless

I should have known it was a scam. The fact that they thought piano lessons were the same as tutoring and would need to be taught 3 times a week. Plus they specifically asked for my cell number!!

It's like a rite of passage to be scammed on Craigslist.

This email is overflowing with obvious reasons that this person is:
1. Going to H_ _ _ for using God's name to scam people.
2. Doesn't comprehend English nor use it as their 1st language.
3. Would be more successful if he stopped using the term "tutoring" for a piano lesson.
4. Pitiful for using missionary work as an excuse.
5. Needs to be more creative then using "JOE" as your fake child's name.

So currently I am torn with how I should proceed. Maybe y'all should decide for me. Should I:

A. Email back with a few choice 4 letter words.
B. Contact Craigslist and the FTC to report him.
C. Keep the Lame-o on the hook by sending more emails with questions, fake bank numbers and really screw with him.
D. Give him the phone number to my FBI brother-in-law.
E. All the above