Yes it is a scam, they try to get you to ring up a credit card number before we even did the job.  Of course it was denied, then they gave another one.  They may only be checking to see if the card is valid.  He kept sending emails, (we played along) and wanted me to call up a carrier to have it shipped to somewhere in Africa.  He even called via a translator supposedly..  Finally it ended. I kept his letters and email, etc.. Will probably send back to see if he found anyone elses credit card #s to use.