This is really sad. It has been previously alleged that some 'writers' blackmail students, but the experience you recounted here is horrific to say the least. However, as tempting as it is from your experiential point of view to demonise Kenyans, I'd say it is not fair to imply that (all) Africans or Kenyans are necessarily unscrupulous. I will only advise that students should be more discreet in their interactions with writers by not revealing details of themselves (linking them to particular schools) that can be used to blackmail them - until they are able to establish trust in specific writers.

Regarding your unfortunate experience, it is possible to trace this criminal and at least name and shame him on the Internet if he can't be brought to justice in Kenya. How did you pay him? I reckon his real identity can be ascertained that way.

Your assumptions are wrong - and uncharitable. First, I am from Nigeria, NOT Kenya. Second, I have never tried to "hide" my true location for any reason. Therefore, it is unfair to allege so blatantly that I am seeking alternatives in order to hide my "true location". I am proud of my nationality, and I do not deem it necessary to resort to subterfuge to get by. There will always be bigots and close-minded persons who (mis)judge others based on backgrounds and stereotyped perceptions, while (thankfully) there will also be fair-minded and objective persons who are capable of discernment and are willing to give others the benefit of the doubt!

I cannot pretend to be oblivious of the incidence of scams linked to Africans (and, specifically in the context of academic writing, as I only found out when I 'discovered' Essay Scam/Essay Chat, Kenyans). However, I insist that it is never fair to make sweeping generalisations. As far as I know, I am the only Nigeria-based academic writer that is active on Essay Chat, and since I know for sure that I have NEVER and will NEVER engage in fraudulent practices, I vehemently reject any insinuation that 'all' African writers are putative swindlers.

Since I started using Essay Chat, I have written several papers for a couple of customers whose feedback suggest that they are very pleased with the quality of my work (and work ethic) - and many of them have been pleased enough to assign subsequent writing tasks to me. All I seek is the chance to win over a sufficient number of customers to ensure a consistent inflow of orders and I will be contented. Don't make life difficult for me by throwing prejudice-driven allegations in my face.

Turns out it only buttresses my prior protestation - particularly as "tend" in the context you used the word is essentially antithetical to "rule" in the categorical sense implied by Major.

The website was up and running by September 2012, if not earlier. Besides, my association with the company and its founder(s) predates the registration of the domain.

This is a ridiculous assertion, and the fact that you had the audacity to categorically term this falsehood a "rule" marks you out as a disturbed character. It's incredible how you Internet ghouls are quick to dish out false information and discredit honest people for the mere thrill of it.

This is the crux of the matter. To add to this viewpoint, I think most ENL writers champion this ENL-ESL dichotomy because they fear that they are increasingly losing ground to an emergent class of excellent ESL writers who deliver equally good (and in many cases better) papers often for considerably lower prices. I have noticed that students do not shout themselves hoarse in stating their preference for ENL writers. What they generally seek are competent writers to deliver good, well-written papers. In fact, native writers tend to play up this ESL-ENL division as a positioning/differentiation strategy to gain or maintain ascendancy.

A student's decision to hire an academic writer should not be based merely on ENL/ESL considerations. Several factors underpin an excellent paper, including the thoroughness of research, analytical rigour, ability to ideate and 'conjure' creative angles or dimensions that enhance the argument or amplify evidence, sequential flow/presentation of one's case, and the overall quality/style of writing. These elements require a degree of brilliance, learning, and experience that have little to do with whether a writer is a "native" or "non-native" English speaker.

There's nothing more irritating than having to fuss over payment after completing orders for a website you write for. After expending previous time and mental energy on a paper (which the customer typically pays for in advance, or at least partly so), the least a writer should expect is timely payment.

Academic writing is a premium service, and it is important to bear in mind that the people who do this job (particularly genuinely competent ones) invest considerable time and mental effort in ensuring that customers' papers are well-researched, well-written, and original. It's not an easy undertaking.

Besides, the preponderance of hacks and dabblers in this writing business should not be interpreted to mean an increase in "competition" among academic writers. If anything, it indicates an unseemly trend of what one might refer to as CONpetition among the dime-a-dozen hacks out there, who seek to outdo each other in the race to cheat hapless students out of their money. This situation only increases the value of the relatively few proficient writers in the industry.

You can trust essayi.com. The issues you raised seem to be technical problems with the website back-end, and do not indicate that the site is suspicious in any way. There is certainly no cogent reason for suspicion if you ask me. I have been writing for essayi.com for a couple of years now, and so far, there has been no reason to question the integrity (or competence) of the owner(s). Have you tried to speak to the representatives about your concerns?