Reporting attempt at cheating

If your institution has an honor code or similar description of the requirements for academic conduct, it may prescribe what you must do. The solicitation of a "ringer" to take the exam may itself be an offense. If there's a prescribed action, follow it.

If not, consider that an accusation of cheating by the professor necessarily creates an adversarial situation. If you do report this to the professor, please copy the department head, dean, chairman of the honor council. Copy at least one other person who can support the professor. Include a copy of the student's email with your report, and retain your own copy for a very long time.

Do not respond to the student. Chastisement will not do any good, and while the student is awaiting your reply, he or she isn't looking for someone else to take the exam.

I won't argue against reporting the student as Bob Brown suggests. But also suggest that if you advertise your services in any way that you make it clear in your advertising that you won't aid students in any dishonest work and, if you feel strongly enough about it, that you will report requests. Even if you don't advertise you could tell each client that you will only perform ethical services.

That would head off future requests, I think.

But if you aren't willing to report this student at this time, I'd suggest that you let them know that you don't do such things and that you will report future requests.

The devil on my right shoulder is, of course, whispering in my ear suggesting that you fail the exam for the student, though the angel on my left is trying to suggest more sensible alternatives. Listen to the angel.

There is typically an office which is in charge of enforcing academic integrity. For example, the Office of the Provost and Vice-president for Academic Affairs. Simply forward the email to them. There is nothing gained by responding to the student.