Job scam quick guide: it's a scam if...

  • they want you to collect and forward money in any way (a "money mule" job). You'll wind up engaged in money laundering, personally defrauded via expertly forged cheques, money orders, etc, or defrauding someone else who pays for goods that never arrive.
  • they want you to receive packages and reship them somewhere else. The goods will have been obtained fraudulently, and they're just using you to make the shipping address appear local. You will be aiding fraud.
  • they want up-front payment (either to them or someone else) of any sort for anything before you can get the job. This is advance fee fraud: there is no job -- it's just a big con to extract money from you.
  • they want you to buy any kind of "membership" or "kit" in order to start. Forget it -- it's not a real job at all: they're trying to sell you something, and they're probably making a bunch of other false claims about it if they're pitching it as a "job".
  • it's a job offer, and it's spam. There are LOTS of these scams about, as you can see.

Thursday, May 24, 2007

Amato Logistics Co

Scammers using random business name "Amato Logistics Co. Ltd" and freemail contact addresses seek suckers to perform money mule and reshipper duties on a short term basis until apprehended. This looks similar to many other scams, but not so similar to any of them in particular that I can draw a common thread between them.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: [redacted]
Date: 24-May-2007 20:12
Subject: We proudly present a chance for you!
To: [redacted]





Greetings.
Would you be interested in a home job that allows you to earn up to $10000 per month? No start up fees, no "envelope stuffing" nonsense.

We proudly present Amato Logistics Co. Ltd.

The job we offer will not affect your present career, it will only take a small part of your time.
The only things you need to have to start running your business with our company are reliable Internet/E-mail access and checking/savings bank account.
And of course your decency and willingness to earn.

The first vacancy is Transfer manager:
The nature of the job is payment processing.
It is related to online banking operating the funds from either our company or our partners to designated bank account approved by our
manager keeping specified money transaction fee as a commission for your services (usually between $150 to $500, no less than $150 per transfer).

You will receive the funds which our customers/resellers send directly to you and forward it to us or our agents (less your commission)via one of chosen money transfer agencies.
The job is rather simple and you won't need any special knowledge to become our partner, though we do require that you are able to act on a very short notice.
We can afford to pay such a decent commission only because we keep our customers happy with our promptness.

And the second is Shipment manager.
The job we offer is related to mail. It is an easy part time job that doesn't require leaving your main occupation.
You will be receiving mail and packages for our clients, either repack them or ship them further out following our manager's instructions.


For those who look for career opportunities it's a chance of becoming a part of our team in the future (based on your performance),
team in which you will be highly respected and decently rewarded - just think about this! We will be hoping to hear from you soon. ylbiz@businessmail.hk


If you would like to get our application form please email us with your request. No fees are asked, just leave your contact details: "random e-mail"

Write us to: ylbiz@businessmail.hk

We would appreciate your continued patronage and get in touch with you soon. Thank you!

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

My husband received the same email here in Australia, purporting to be from a Carole Koch. Is there anyway they can be reported to authorities before someone gets burned??

Anonymous said...

I received the same email sent to my work email address. Something has to be done to stop these scammers.

Spotter said...

Don't rely on the authorities to protect you: protect your friends and family by warning them about this kind of scam. Not the specific name: scammers change names all the time. Warn them about the technique. Warn them not to take jobs from overseas companies they've not met, because if it turns out to be a scam, they have no legal recourse against them. Warn them that organised crime online is a growth industry, and that people are seeking to exploit them. Their own wits and knowledge will be a more effective protection than a government can ever provide.

Anonymous said...

I received this email last week in Australia. The senders name is James Koch and it came from the following email address neme@cyber-rights.net. I decided to do a search on the name "Amato Logistics" to see what it brought up. I am glad I did. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

I have just received this message from: Travis Soto at this email address:remyweim@myway.com. I also done a search on google and I found this site. Many thanks.

Spotter said...

Another correspondent reports receiving the same scam with replies directed to ylbiz@offshorepost.hk