The "always in and out of the country" thing is a part of the scam to make it easier to claim "Oops, we can't make it at the allotted time, so please send a refund." It also suggests they're "high rollers" who would "never bother to scam somebody out of $900."
The bottom line of ALL such things is that you don't have to worry about any aspect of it UNTIL they start asking for their money back--which amounts to simply a request to cash a goofy international cashier's check from some unknown person who contacted you on the internet!
Be aware, also, that banks do keep a running accounting of any bad checks that have been deposited to your account--and if there have been bad ones (whether or not it costs you or them any loss), they will slap on Draconian "clearance" obstacles to future checks you deposit; that ends up being a pain in the ass (although banks in general are a pain in the ass).
Also keep in mind that the actual person coming to TAKE the lessons could be a dupe also. THAT GUY may have already PAID the scam guy $X to take lessons from "a well-respected American coach." The scam guy can then end up making $X from the student and $900 from YOU. There are people who spend 24/7 thinking up crap like this (including, I'm sure, a not tiny proportion of people who play a lot of pool
)
The bottom line of ALL such things is that you don't have to worry about any aspect of it UNTIL they start asking for their money back--which amounts to simply a request to cash a goofy international cashier's check from some unknown person who contacted you on the internet!
Be aware, also, that banks do keep a running accounting of any bad checks that have been deposited to your account--and if there have been bad ones (whether or not it costs you or them any loss), they will slap on Draconian "clearance" obstacles to future checks you deposit; that ends up being a pain in the ass (although banks in general are a pain in the ass).
Also keep in mind that the actual person coming to TAKE the lessons could be a dupe also. THAT GUY may have already PAID the scam guy $X to take lessons from "a well-respected American coach." The scam guy can then end up making $X from the student and $900 from YOU. There are people who spend 24/7 thinking up crap like this (including, I'm sure, a not tiny proportion of people who play a lot of pool
)