Warning: Some hired research paper writer tried to extort me

I attempted to hire a writer to help me write a research paper, I spoke to him on the phone for a long time, and he assured me that he could do what was required and seemed 100% legit. We agreed on a price and he said as soon as I sent a deposit he would start and send me a draft. A few hours later ( when he was "sleeping") I sent him an e-mail saying I couldn't do it and wanted to do the work myself. He then threatened to tell my institution if I didn't pay him. I never turned in any fraudulent work and didn't do anything illegal, I was really looking for a tutor more than anything else. I'd rather just let it go under the bridge but I don't want others to get scammed by this same person, seems like he's been at it for years. He then became rude and very unprofessional and continued threatening me, but like I said I never received or payed for any of his work. It was late, I was curious and I made a mistake to try and get tutoring help from the wrong person. I didn't want a ghostwriter, but someone to help me along the way throughout my semester. I learned my lesson. There's no such thing as a free lunch. So be careful folks, maybe there are some professionals out there with ethics and manners, but this guy was such a dirt-bag. Maybe he's just jealous that people that are "dumber" than him live happier and more successful lives? maybe hes a lunatic? I don't know, just a warning to all!

It seems finding an honest and qualified freelance writer / editor borders with miracle these days.. :| But it's your own fault, too - he provided a FREE consultation over the phone (how long was the conversation?) -- perhaps he thought you took advantage of him by getting free advice and cancelling the order.. and that was his reaction to your actions.

If you are a student who does not want to write a research paper, but you have to get it completed, what do you do? Take the F? Get a friend to write one? Find one online? No, you learn how to successfully cheat and there is only one way to do it: hire a writer.

It's better to use already checked writing companies.

Hmm, this thread reeks of desperate essay company. OP, can you give any details beyond these (highly improbable) vagaries?

I don't get it. What was the resolution of your situation with this writer? There are a number of loopholes in this story that makes me think there is something not on the level with the OP. If the writer tried to extort him to no avail, why is he discussing the events in public? I mean, if it were me in his situation, I would keep that under wraps and not let anybody know about what almost happened to me. I also find this post hurtful to the legitimate independent writers here because this person did not clarify how he came into contact with the blackmailer. Those who read his post may assume that he made contact with that writer through the networking channels of ES, which I am sure was not the case. I just hope that the readers remained logical enough to realize that this person was spewing a story that had nothing to do with the writers here. I really believe that he should have shared more information regarding how he sourced this criminal in order to clear the independent writers who are members of ES and who would never blackmail a student, even if the order did not work out the way the writer hoped it would.

These are the hazards of hiring an academic writer instead of a writing tutor. Those are two different things. That is why I always asked my clients if they were looking for someone to write the paper for them, or someone to guide them in the writing and editing of their paper. If they chose the latter, then I charged them accordingly. The fault of the OP was that he never made his intentions clear to the writer he hired. He could have been clear about needing writing assistance instead of needing a ghost writer. I am sure the writer would have accommodated him since it is easier to guide and edit the work of a student instead of having to do it from scratch.

There is indeed a lesson to be learned here. The lesson is that students need to be sure the writer they hire is clear about the job he or she is being hired to do. If you need writing assistance but not ghost writing in itself, then say so. Be clear about what you need and you won't run the risk of being blackmailed in the future.

If the work wasn't started (and it doesn't sound like it was), then you are entitled to a refund. That is just assuming you've told the full story here. If the writer spend a lot of time with you discussing the project (phone, emailing back and forth, his research, etc.), then he "may" be entitled to a "cancellation fee." It really depends on the writer and what all what done for you -- even if the actual writing had not started. If he did conduct research, then he could reasonable keep a portion of the fee you paid BUT he would also need to provide you with the research. Otherwise, you should receive a full refund.

That's my policy, but as I've said before, no two writers are exactly alike. We all have our preferences and terms. It's best to understand what is expected and what will be done by both the client and the writer before any money exchanges hands.

Agreed. The only possible justification would have been for a rush deadline that required the writer to start writing immediately after receipt of payment. Otherwise, there's no justification for refusing to honor a timely cancellation so soon after payment. Even if it was a rush deadline, the only thing for which the writer had a rightful expectation of payment was any work already done, in which case, he should have emailed whatever was already written (as proof) immediately on receipt of the cancellation request and then issued a pro-rata refund for the rest.


Possibly.


Well, one thing we know for sure is that it couldn't possibly have been me =)

The OP never started the writing process. No money changed hands in physical or e-payment form. So the OP would not need to ask for a refund. Neither was the writer entitled to a cancellation fee. There was no final order contract of any sort. So, it is possible that the writer was just trying to nurse a bruised ego. He knew perfectly well that he had not reason to threaten to report the student to the university. The student did not do anything wrong. If thinking of hiring a writing service, seriously considering it, then changing your mind is part of academic dishonesty, then thousands of students would be expelled by now.

I agree that students need to know the difference between hiring a writer and hiring a writing tutor. A writing tutor is similar to a person that you would find at the writing center of your college or university. Their job is not to write the paper, but to guide the development of your paper and your writing skills.

If you have pretty decent research and writing skills, I would advise students to look into getting a writing tutor instead immediately turning to Ai or hiring a writer. Give it a go. See if you can write a pretty decent paper on your own. The sense of accomplishment you will gain from this experience is memorable and cannot be replaced by any Ai or hired writing experience.

In 25 years, only one or two of my (thousands of) clients ever expressed any real interest in learning how to write their own projects. One of them used to pay me to provide supplemental explainers detailing how I researched, outlined, and structured many of his larger projects. The other ~999.9 % of my clients just wanted me to deliver submission-ready-quality projects on time without expressing any interest in the process.