Just know the fact that once a PM is made, it’s likely the sender just want to keep the conversation secret because it’s simply a kind of scam. Otherwise, if that is legal, the sender should post a thread instead so that majority of newbies will be inform about it. If his intention is to help, then he will create a thread open to the public. But if it’s not, then you as a newbie should already be aware that something’s wrong in it.

For newbies, always weigh things first before jumping in. Scammers are everywhere, and they are actually hiding in every corner, even in the bitcointalk forum.