Some kind of scam?

[AnonymousKiwi1]

I received this message a week ago under a photo I have on my Panoramio account:-

hi anonymous kiwi - great photo! I can't find anywhere to contact you directly, but i am wondering if i am able to use your image on a council folder i am putting together for Rangitikei Council's planning department. If you would let me know that would be great, i can reference your name on the photograph also. Thanks! Charlotte.

Now, this is very flattering. I replied that I was interested, and gave my email address so Charlotte could contact me. When I'd heard nothing for a few days, I did a little digging. It seems that this "Charlotte" has left similar messages with a bunch of people in Australia. She has not replied to any of them, from what I can find. What makes it stranger is that the message on my photo was posted in the late evening of a day that was a public holiday - a time when no council worker is likely to be working.

Does anyone have any experience with this type of enquiry? It seems weird, but I can't really see how it could be a scam.



Panoramio - Photo of Rangitikei River, Mangaweka, New Zealand

[Henry Wilt]

I can't see how it could be a scam in the sense someone is trying to get money from you but it could just be someone thinking it's funny to wind you up. I would just leave it as it is until you hear something more from the person but don't build your hopes up too much in the mean time.

Great shot by the way.

[AnonymousKiwi1]

Yeah, I couldn't really see a scam angle either. Just seemed odd. Why me, and a random bunch of people in Aus??
Any way, time will tell.

And, thanks!

[Photologyst]

You could always contact the Council and check if a “Charlotte” exists in the planning department.

Rangitikei District Council

[jamesev]

My pop had put up a video he captured on a P&S published it to some site and got an enquirey from someone in the US offering £300 for its use as he was making some sort of documentry on African tribal dances or something...


Just be careful to get references and check them before you make any transactions

[BuddhaPi]

could be be trolling for an email address, which she now has, if your amount of spam raises dramatically you'll have your answer..