i'm not naive

So here’s the thing. Some time in August, while at the Shah Alam Court in Menara MRCB, I bumped into this Chinese couple. They asked me where to file the Notice of Appearance so I helped them. And then we got in the elevator and we had a small talk where I gave them my business card (might as well do some marketing, right?). A day before raya, I received a sms wishing me Selamat Hari Raya from an unknown number. And the message sort of sounded like this.

“…selamat hari raya…we met in Shah Alam Court. You helped us with enquiry blablabla…maybe after raya we can have coffee when you’re free.”

Honestly, I can’t remember exactly who did I help with enquiry? So I texted back and said something like this, “I’m sorry but I can’t remember…who blablabla” and then he/she replied, “…in the lift, you gave us your card, told us you’re already 8 months in practice…” and then it hit me. So, okay. So I replied the text with something like this, “oh I see…coffee? yeah…blablabla” Basically that was it because I thought it was just a friendly message and a friendly reply and I never thought that they would actually ask me to have coffee for real.

Until last week.

I received a text from him. Let’s call him D. I saved D’s number so I know it was him. It reads, “good afternoon! Any chance to meet up for tea/chit chat today at Pearl International Hotel Lobby (5^th Mile Old Klang Road)?” I replied, “hi. I’m sorry I don’t think I can make it today. Besides, I don’t know exactly where Pearl International Hotel is and it’s not a good idea to go to Old Klang Road after office hours” to which D replied, “My friend’s company just informed me there are 5 vacancies for Trainee Management Executives for the LANDBANK based in Tokyo. Applicants below 25 years, basic education acceptable, pleasant personality. Only female single without experience. Training provided. salary USD2500/month with accommodation provided. Insurance 300,000. Potential for New York HQ posting. [Any interest?]” I texted back, “Wow sounds interesting but I’m gonna have to pass. I’m not done practicing yet.” D replied, “Nothing to lose by giving it a good try! If interested you need to tell DR TSAI, Phd at 8.30pm tonight.” I didn’t reply.

I cannot help but smell something fishy going on. I mean, come on. First I see it as a ‘friendly gesture’ to invite me to have coffee (even though it was weird for D to invite me for coffee because I thought what the heck for? I mean, I only showed and helped him where to file the Notice of Appearance. It’s not like I helped him win his case or something) but when I was offered the ‘job’, I can’t help but wonder. Who are you kidding right? I think this is the type of scam luring young women with something that is too good to be true and then later on send them on an overseas trip together with your ‘package’ or something.

So the question here is, was I too friendly? It is normal for me to give away my business cards, right? After all, it is called a business card. But then this is what happens when you ‘help’ people. When people smile, the right thing to do is smile back. When people ask for help (in Court no less), the right thing to do is help, right? But then again, D may not have bad intentions but the job offer sure sounds too good to be true. Note the words 'female single only' and why the need to stress that DR. TSAI has a PhD? I’m sure a naïve, gullible person would fall for the offer. I don’t know. What do you think?