Hi guys, yesterday I received an email which seemed like it came from another Local Guide who acknowledged my Level 10 status and it outlined an offer to pay me 50 dollars per edit of the sender’s Google Maps upload content, including black and white photos. Of course, I deleted it believing it to be spam but I was wondering if anyone else has received any similar email offers. The things I would love to know are
How the sender knew I was a level 10 local guide and
How did they know I uploaded black and white photos?
I’m looking forward to hearing from the community about other members’ experiences and does anyone know of any current or past scams pertaining to local guide use? best wishes
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Hi Michael,
Are you able to retrieve the original email from your deleted folder? It can be used to help work out where the email originated from.
One thing you can be sure of is that it wasn’t sent by Google - they don’t pay you for anything! 
Three days ago, a level 8 local guide asked me to write a review for her client via private message on this site.
He even wrote to me “I buy reviews for my clients, I have more than one client, can you write a review?”
I don’t know if the admins here monitor private messages, but Google Policy states that paid reviews are prohibited.
Business owners have asked me for reviews in exchange for money or free products, but it’s interesting that they got your email.
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Here, a level 8 local guide asks me to comment for her client in return for money via private message, but she does not know that I am in contact with Google executives, whose headquarters are in the USA, via e-mail.
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That sounds very like my offer, too. Thank you for the comment as I now know it’s more widespread than just me. I’m very grateful for your information, best wishes
These people are stupid by nature, cheers
Even i got a DM few days back someone offered me money in exchange of reviews. But i said no.
Now we are getting somewhere, it’s up to the admin to put all the pieces together, many thanks
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Hopefully. You’re welcome.
You did the right thing by deleting the email — it’s likely a scam. @MichaelRajGroves
Your Local Guide level and photo uploads are public if your profile is visible, so scammers can easily see that information. Offers of payment for edits or reviews violate Google’s policies and can lead to account suspension. I too used to get such offer on my whatsapp number and email.
Has anyone else reported similar emails or scams recently?
Thank you, we are not alone, it’s wide spread, best wishes
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You are most welcome @MichaelRajGroves