| 주제 내 페이지: [1 2] > | They almost got me... or am I missing out on an excellent opportunity ? 스레드 게시자: Marion Lambert-Nuding
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I'm hoping some wiser/more cynical colleagues might confirm that I'm making the right decision here.
I received an email yesterday ("Dear translator...") asking if I was interested in taking on a new project (who isn't?), and to email back if I was. I simply replied along the lines of "Of course, tell me more". I quickly received a file for a movie script to be translated into FR. Just over 22,000 words, 2 weeks deadlines, 40% to be delivered within 4/5 days in exchange for the firs... See more I'm hoping some wiser/more cynical colleagues might confirm that I'm making the right decision here.
I received an email yesterday ("Dear translator...") asking if I was interested in taking on a new project (who isn't?), and to email back if I was. I simply replied along the lines of "Of course, tell me more". I quickly received a file for a movie script to be translated into FR. Just over 22,000 words, 2 weeks deadlines, 40% to be delivered within 4/5 days in exchange for the first 40% down payment. Budget £5,200, ie 0.24 psw (generous!). I'd have to works my translator's socks off to meet the deadline, but achievable, and the money is appealing.
The company is supposedly called Project Guild. The contract I received this morning from a different person (after insisting I would start work without one) was made out by a law firm called Oakridgelegalpartners, allegedly based in Constable Pynt (had to look it up, it's in Greenland) although their website mentions offices in Canada and in Paris. The contract itself looks ok-ish (I've seen worse), but my name isn't actually on it (Translator appears instead), the jurisdiction is stated as "the jurisdiction in which the client operates" and nobody picks up at the end of the phone number they used (may be time difference, I'll try again in a bit).
I guess the main thing that looks un-trustworty is the lack of downwards negociations around the price! How sad is that, we are so used to the race to the bottom line!
Here is a sample of the correspondence. What do you think?
(I hate the fact that scammers make us so wary all the time! It's totally against my instincts to turn down a job, I'm finding this really difficult!)
Thanks for your help!
[
Dear Marion,
I hope this message finds you well.
Please find attached the contract for the project with Projectguild. This contract has been prepared by OAKRIDGELEGALPARTNERS LawFirm, outlining all the necessary terms and conditions for our collaboration.
Kindly review the document at your earliest convenience. If everything looks good, please sign and return a copy.
Best regards,
Anja Schweizer
Oakridgelegalpartners
]
[
Hi Sophia,
I’m sorry, I’m struggling to trust this project and I certainly wouldn’t be able to start work without a contract, so I’m going to decline.
Please do feel free to reach out again when you’re in a position to share a contract and to disclose more information (I’m happy to sign an NDA).
All the best.
Marion
---
Hi again,
I'm just the project manager and would not be able to disclose the identity of the client.
Oakridgelegalpartners will be the Lawfirm to issue the contract.
Work on the initial 40% and the review team will handle the rest. Rest assured you will receive your pay.
An NDA isn't necessary needed for the project.
Your email contact was chosen among a few professional translators sent to me.
Do notify us of your availability or not to this task.
Best regards,
Sophia Laurier
Project Manager
---
Hi Sophia,
Thank you for confirming. Before I make a start, and since we haven't worked together before, may I ask that you provide me with the following information:
• Who is the client/production company? Is there a website? Who wrote the script? What are their expectations in terms of style and tone of voice?
• Could you also share the name of the "body responsible for the contract" (your company?), and contact details. Also, please share the contract with me asap so I can make a start without delaying the already tight delivery date. I'm afraid I won't start until we have an agreement in place.
• Please let me know who the reviewer will be so that we can work efficiently together. Rather than the 40% delivery, I'd suggest sharing my daily work with them so that they can proof-read it daily, and I can then look at their edits the next day and make sure to take them into account in the rest of my translations. This may slightly lengthen the deadline, but it will shorten the review time so it should be about the same in the end.
• I'm surprised you didn't mention a requirement to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement...?
Can I also kindly ask how you found me?
Obviously, time is of the essence and since the start date (April 22nd) is almost over, please kindly alter your deadlines to take that into account.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Many thanks.
Marion Nuding
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| | | | Zea_Mays 
이탈리아
Local time: 02:40
회원(2009)
영어에서 독일어
+ ...
Marion Lambert-Nuding wrote:
I received an email yesterday ("Dear translator...") asking if I was interested in taking on a new project --- I simply replied along the lines of "Of course, tell me more". --- quickly received a file for a movie script --- over 22,000 words, --- Budget £5,200, ie 0.24 psw
Hi Marion, you're doing well to follow your gut feeling, this very forum is full of alerts on scams like this one.
(Oakridgelegalpartners.org has been registered on 19. April 2025... https://www.whois.com/whois/oakridgelegalpartners.org )
| | | | Dler Piran
이라크
Local time: 03:40
회원(2023)
영어에서 쿠르드어
+ ...
| Too good to be true | Apr 23 |
Normally the client reaches out and asks your rates, they won't offer you a notably big amount (£0.24 per word!) for a normal project (movie script).
I wouldn't think anymore about that (maybe just read the entire email for fun and even play with the scammer a bit) and ignore them.
The overpay is always an obvious sign of a scam.
| | | | | Sanity duly checked, thank you | Apr 23 |
I'm feeling better already. Thank you for the sanity check!
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Lingua 5B
보스니아-헤르체고비나
Local time: 02:40
회원(2009)
영어에서 크로아티아어
+ ...
Movie scripts, subtitling and similar are notoriously badly paid.
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Lingua 5B wrote:
Movie scripts, subtitling and similar are notoriously badly paid.
Maybe here on the Balkans are badly paid, because the agencies and outsourcers cut a lot.
Anyway any offer for movie script is a SCAM. No one translates movie scripts, for subtitling transcripts are made out of the movies script for source language.
| | | | | ProjectGuild.com - Noora Hirvonen | Apr 23 |
Marion Lambert-Nuding wrote:
I received an email yesterday ("Dear translator...") asking if I was interested in taking on a new project (who isn't?), and to email back if I was. I simply replied along the lines of "Of course, tell me more". I quickly received a file for a movie script to be translated into FR. Just over 22,000 words, 2 weeks deadlines, 40% to be delivered within 4/5 days in exchange for the first 40% down payment. Budget £5,200, ie 0.24 psw (generous!). I'd have to works my translator's socks off to meet the deadline, but achievable, and the money is appealing.
The company is supposedly called Project Guild.
-------------------
Hi Marion,
'Noora Hirvonen' from Project Guild contacted me too, though about a different 'project'. I exchanged a couple of emails with them but shared no details.
"Dear Lisa McCarthy (*first red flag*),
Thank you for your prompt response and for confirming your availability to collaborate on our upcoming project. (**I didn't confirm anything with them**). I would like to formally initiate the process by sharing key information and requesting a few essential details to ensure alignment before we proceed with the full project brief.
The project involves the translation of an educational resource from Spanish to English, totaling 11,699 words. The content is detailed, covering inclusive strategies for preventing and treating child malnutrition, with attention to both technical and cultural dimensions. The document in question is originally written in Spanish and will require precise, culturally sensitive translation into English. Before we provide the comprehensive materials, we kindly ask for confirmation and additional context from your end regarding the following:
🔹 Availability & Timeline
We would like to confirm your ability to commit to this project over the coming weeks. The final delivery deadline is firmly set for 12th May. Please confirm whether this timeline is suitable based on your current capacity and workload.
🔹 Professional Experience
To ensure the best possible outcome, we are seeking a linguist with proven experience in Spanish-to-English translation.
• Could you briefly describe your background and experience in translation, particularly with content of a similar nature?
• If available, please share examples or references from past projects that demonstrate your capabilities and subject-matter familiarity.
🔹 Rates & Payment Method
Please confirm your standard translation rate (per word or per 1,000 words), and kindly indicate your preferred method of receiving payment.
• Our standard payment method is via secure bank transfer.
• However, we remain flexible and are open to alternative arrangements if required.
🔹 Confidentiality Agreement
As the document may contain proprietary or sensitive material, we require all collaborators to sign a standard Confidentiality Agreement prior to the commencement of work. This agreement will be issued for your review and signature upon confirmation of project terms.
Once we’ve reviewed and aligned on the above points, we will issue the official project brief, which will outline:
• The document scope and subject matter
• Word count and formatting requirements
• Key delivery milestones
• Communication protocol throughout the project lifecycle
We are committed to a smooth, transparent, and professional collaboration and look forward to the possibility of working together on this important assignment. Please feel free to reach out with any questions or clarifications in the meantime.
Warm regards,
Noora Hirvonen
HR Administrator | ProjectGuild
On 2025-04-21 12:43, Lisa McCarthy wrote:
Hi Noora,
Many thanks for your email.
Could you tell me more about the project, please? What is the subject matter?
Kind regards,
Lisa
On Mon, 21 Apr 2025 at 02:53, wrote:
Hello Lisa McCarthy,
I hope this message finds you well. I'm reaching out regarding a potential project that involves translating a Word document from Spanish to English Language. After reviewing your profile on Asetrad, we believe you possess the skills and professionalism required for this task.
We would like to learn more about your services, rates, and availability to facilitate a successful collaboration. Would you be open to scheduling a time to discuss the project details further? Please share your availability. Thank you for your consideration.
P.S. You can reply to this email or send your resume along with a brief cover letter outlining your experience and qualifications for the project to our project manager, Noora Hirvonen, at [email protected].
| | | | Peter Motte
벨기에
Local time: 02:40
회원(2009)
영어에서 네덜란드어
+ ...
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| | | Found the entire text on internet! | Apr 23 |
Hello Marion,
I received the same message on Monday (Easter Monday), found that ProjectGuild was in New Zealand, asked for details and got them with the script. Considering the high rate and not finding this Sophia Laurier anywhere I decided to look further. So I did some research and found the entire script dated 2004 on the internet..I wonder how many times it had been translated since 2004!!
Another scammer...
Well, have a good rest of the day.
| | | | | What are they after…?! | Apr 23 |
Interesting Mireille. So, if a free translation isn’t what they’re after, what are they hoping to get out of this?? Feeling a bit nervous that they now have my CV…
| | | | Lingua 5B
보스니아-헤르체고비나
Local time: 02:40
회원(2009)
영어에서 크로아티아어
+ ...
Marion Lambert-Nuding wrote:
Interesting Mireille. So, if a free translation isn’t what they’re after, what are they hoping to get out of this?? Feeling a bit nervous that they now have my CV…
They can apply for jobs with your CV. Nobody’s stopping them. I never send my CV to anybody, the only exception would be a full-time job/employment with a verifiable company.
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Zea_Mays
이탈리아
Local time: 02:40
회원(2009)
영어에서 독일어
+ ...
| how the scam works | Apr 23 |
Marion Lambert-Nuding wrote:
what are they hoping to get out of this??
Lately, most of the times they'd ask you to pay in order to (not) get paid - this 'fee' is what they're after. To this purpose, they use fake online banking portals.
It's very unlikely they're interested in your CV, pretty sure that they didn't even open it.
| | | | | they are probably from India | Apr 23 |
Marion Lambert-Nuding wrote:
Interesting Mireille. So, if a free translation isn’t what they’re after, what are they hoping to get out of this?? Feeling a bit nervous that they now have my CV…
There are other scams similar or maybe the same person/s is behind this one too. On the forum there are couple reported. I had same offer for that movie Lion, to translate the movie script, but I seen the report on ProZ, and send the link to the scammer. I got no answer.
Anyway, they are after deposit, like Zea already told you.
| | | | | They are really improving | Apr 23 |
I think I have seen this scene before, but I have to admit that these frauds started to improve the terms of their luring jobs to make them look more realistic, adjusting deadlines from a couple of days to 2 weeks and lowering the budget to a more reasonable yet still too-good-to-be-true level. Plea... See more I think I have seen this scene before, but I have to admit that these frauds started to improve the terms of their luring jobs to make them look more realistic, adjusting deadlines from a couple of days to 2 weeks and lowering the budget to a more reasonable yet still too-good-to-be-true level. Please see the link below:
https://www.proz.com/forum/scams/369182-a_total_scam_creativeclique_ondemandfreelancecom.html ▲ Collapse
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