[neonasafluni]

A. Pretend that you talked to the recruiter who called you before you contacted these people, but by mistake you didn't notice that they were recruiting for the same job. (Alternatively tell the truth about the order of events, but this would be more likely to tick them off.)

[mralabama]

Why did you agree to have the second recruiter forward your cv?

[Annyllop21]

Plus learn how to spell "tomorrow".

[robstamps]

No, they won't. I had a similar situation happen where I didn't realize that two roles were the same. The employer's policy was to pay the recruiter who was first to file.

[violetgorman]

You tell the truth, and fast. Companies have agreements with recruiting agencies to pay a sum of money for people who get hired, and if you're forwarded by more than one agency, it creates a headache, and they will automatically reject you just to avoid it.

Wow, when did you get back to the forum? Wellcome back!

And the client needs someone ASAP, but I don't know the client,
only the agencies, and they can perhaps screw me somehow if their
pride gets hurt or something, so I'm trying to be diplomatic.

[soitlyobserty]

First come first serve. Been in similar situations, but not so far progressed. Just contact them, tell them that, in fact, you've already been submitted for that job and cannot proceed. Recruitment agents are just a bunch of parasitic pimps at the end of the day - a necessary evil that you wish could be somehow cut out of the picture (I am not dealing with one currently, hurrah, direct contract). Don't shed a tear over them because you're just another meal ticket to them...