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My comment is a bit after-the-fact, but there are two sides to every story, just like there are scammers who are "Employers" and there are scammers who are "Houseboys". Unfortunately for Houseboys, there are supposed Employers out there that will sometimes tell them anything to lure them in. Making the offer seem almost too good to be true - a pool to use, a private room, great salary, a car to drive, a cell phone, etc... Like the old saying goes, "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is." There are some genuine Employers out there who may only be offering room and board, but that doesn't mean that a potential Houseboy should look to someone who is offering them the world on a silver platter (because the offer probably doesn't really exist, anyway). Unfortunately for Employers, there are supposed Houseboys out there who will use every story line in the book to convince the Employer to send them money and then the Houseboy never shows up or is never heard from again. There are also those Houseboys who actually do show up, then ask for or expect more and more, despite the fact that their skills and efforts are sorely lacking - sometimes they're not even good company, either! No advice is 100%, but at least take a little time to get to know each other. It's amazing what you can learn about someone after a week's time. Pay attention to what the other person is saying or claiming!!! DON'T let your emotions take over... make an informed and educated decision (this goes for Houseboys and Employers both). If you start noticing discrepancies in their story, they are probably lying about something and that's not a good sign. Oftentimes, if someone is lying, they won't remember what answer they gave you about something when you first started talking - even if the discrepancy is a small one, it might be significant. It's a good idea to have a "back up" plan for both parties involved. If things don't work out, there needs to be a way out for everyone involved. It's a good idea to write down what is agreed upon, not necessarily to create a contract, but so that everyone involved is clear on what is expected and what is provided - no one claiming they didn't understand or didn't know. Everyone can agree to whatever they want, but sometimes I wonder if people realize that room and board and food for someone all cost money and that should be at least a part of the "compensation" of a houseboy, and by the same token, a houseboy shouldn't be expected to spend their money on food for the house or chipping in for utilities. Yes, there are scammers and frauds both in the Houseboy section and the Employer section, but there are also legitimate ones in both sections, too. Use your common sense and don't let your emotions get in the way!