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.

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

NameNameXX@gmail

A while back I reported a job scam spammer using the name "Colin Scowcroft" who always used contact addresses of the form " FirstnameSurnameLetterLetter@gmail.com". This same pattern of Gmail addresses has re-emerged in a new run of spam which doesn't provide any consistent contact name, or any kind of company name at all. The text associated with the spam also contains a goodly degree of randomisation, choosing between roughly equivalent phrases, and a wide variety of subject lines. Also, the current batch have some irrelevant text about nanotechnology or microchip design at the head and tail of the message. Some examples follow -- sorry for the repetition, but it gives you an idea as to how they are randomising the text.

If anyone has communicated with this particular spam-gang, please let me know. I'd be intrigued to see what they send you if you communicate with them. As it stands, I'm not 100% sure what kind of scam they're running -- the job offer itself tells us almost nothing -- but anyone who spams like this is looking for victims, not employees.


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: juanita jasho <[redacted]>
Date: 10 Sep 2007 07:02
Subject: No investment needed.
To: [redacted]

Hello,
First and foremost, we would kindly like to express our deep greetings to you and your family and hope you all good health and happiness and more success in business. Our International Corporation in search of new employees on different vacancies. We are already for a long time in the market and now we recruit employees to occupation from home.

Our Corporation Head Office is positioned in United Kingdom with branches all over the world. Our greatest desire now is to expand our business level to more countries, so we are advertising here in hope of cooperating with you all. We be grateful for honest and ingenious employers. You do not need to invest any sum of money and we do not ask you to provide us with your bank account requisites! We are occupied in totally legal activity and working in our corporation you can achieve career growth at a permanent job.

We are looking for a highly motivated professional, with skill of working with people. The position is home-based. We offer a part-time position with flexible working hours. And we would be happy to consider a full-time job share applicant.

The right person will have good consultation and interpersonal skills and some understanding of marketing. Candidates must be able to remain focused and motivated when working alone.

Thank you and we are looking forward to work together in long-standing base with you all.
If you are interested in our vacancies, please feel free to make contact with us for further information.
The preference is given to employees with knowledge of foreign languages. If you are interested please send the following information to: ReggieSanfordGA@gmail.com
1) Full name
2) Contact phone numbers
3) Languages
4) Part time job/Full time

We are looking forward to hearing from you soon.

Best Regards,
allyn sasha


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: bogart laurence <[redacted]>
Date: 12 Sep 2007 15:28
Subject: If you want to make a carrier in a successful company - we are proud to invite you in our business.
To: [redacted]

Hello,
First and foremost, we would kindly like to express our warmest greetings to you and your relatives and hope you all good health and happiness and more success in business. Our International Company is looking for new staff on various vacancies. We are by now for a long time in the market and now we employ human resources to work from home.

Our Corporation Head Office is located in United Kingdom with branches all over the world. Our supreme wish now is to enlarge our business level to more countries, so we are advertising here in hope of cooperating with you all. We be grateful for honest and ingenious employers. You do not need to invest any sum of money and we do not ask you to provide us with your bank account requisites! We are occupied in completely officially authorized activity and working in our corporation you can achieve career growth at a permanent job.

We are looking for a highly motivated professional, with experience of working with people. The position is home-based. We offer a part-time position with flexible working hours. And we would be happy to consider a full-time job share candidate.

The right individual will have good communication and interpersonal skills and some knowledge of advertising. Candidates must be able to keep on focused and motivated when working alone.

Thank you and we are looking forward to cooperate in long-standing base with you all.
If you are interested in our vacancies, please feel free to contact us for further information.
The preference is given to people with understanding of foreign languages. If you are interested please send next information to: StevieGlassSR@gmail.com
1) Full name
2) Contact phone numbers
3) Languages
4) Part time job/Full time

We are looking forward to hearing from you soon.

Best Regards,
kin mined


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: efren pete <[redacted]>
Date: 10 Sep 2007 21:05
Subject: Serious business in a sphere of financial services. No investment reqired.
To: [redacted]

[text from some random website]

Hello,
First and Primarily, we would kindly like to convey our warmest greetings to you and your relatives and hope you all good health and happiness and more success in business. Our Worldwide Corporation is looking for new employees on different vacancies. We are by now for a long time in the market and now we recruit employees to occupation from home.

Our Corporation Head Office is located in United Kingdom with branches all over the world. Our supreme wish now is to expand our business scale to more countries, so we are advertising here in hope of cooperating with you all. We be grateful for sincere and creative employers. You do not need to invest any sum of money and we do not ask you to give us with your bank account number! We are engaged in completely officially authorized activity and working in our corporation you can achieve career growth at a permanent job.

We are looking for a highly motivated specialist, with skill of working with people. The position is home-based. We offer a part-time position with flexible working hours. And we would be happy to consider a full-time job share candidate.

The right person will have good consultation and interpersonal skills and some knowledge of marketing. Candidates must be able to remain focused and motivated when working alone.

Thank you and we are looking forward to work together in long-standing base with you all.
If you are interested in our vacancies, please feel free to contact us for further information.
The preference is given to people with understanding of foreign languages. If you are interested please send the following information to: IvyHernandezWU@gmail.com
1) Full name
2) Contact phone numbers
3) Languages
4) Part time job/Full time

We are looking forward to hearing from you soon.

Best Regards,
hodge chain


[text from some random website]


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: jasun bor <[redacted]>
Date: 10 Sep 2007 23:13
Subject: Home based employment opportunities for talented people. No investment needed, no sign-up fees.
To: [redacted]

[text from some random website]

Hello,
First and Primarily, we would kindly like to convey our warmest greetings to you and your family and hope you all good health and happiness and more success in business. Our International Company is looking for new employees on various vacancies. We are by now for a long time in the market and now we recruit human resources to work from home.

Our Company Head Office is positioned in United Kingdom with branches all over the world. Our greatest desire now is to expand our business scale to more countries, so we are advertising here in hope of cooperating with you all. We highly appreciate honest and creative employers. You do not need to spend any sum of money and we do not ask you to provide us with your bank account number! We are engaged in completely legal activity and working in our corporation you can achieve career growth at a permanent job.

We are looking for a highly motivated professional, with experience of working with people. The position is home-based. We offer a part-time position with flexible working hours. And we would be happy to consider a full-time job share candidate.

The right person will have good communication and interpersonal skills and some knowledge of marketing. Candidates must be able to keep on focused and motivated when working alone.

Thank you and we are looking forward to cooperate in long term base with you all.
If you are interested in our vacancies, please feel free to make contact with us for further information.
The preference is given to employees with knowledge of foreign languages. If you are interested please send the following information to: StuartMoranLP@gmail.com
1) Full name
2) Contact phone numbers
3) Languages
4) Part time job/Full time

We are looking forward to hearing from you soon.

Yours sincerely,
eldridge janson


[text from some random website]


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: fremont cherala <[redacted]>
Date: 10 Sep 2007 03:04
Subject: High-paid positions in a large successful company are waiting for talented candidates. (no signup fees)
To: [redacted]

[text from some random website]

Hello,
First and Primarily, we would kindly like to express our deep greetings to you and your relatives and wish you all good condition and happiness and more success in business. Our Worldwide Company is looking for new employees on different vacancies. We are by now for a long time in the market and now we employ employees to work from home.

Our Company Head Office is positioned in United Kingdom with branches all over the world. Our greatest wish now is to expand our business level to more countries, so we are advertising here in hope of cooperating with you all. We be grateful for sincere and creative employers. You do not need to invest any sum of money and we do not ask you to provide us with your bank account number! We are occupied in totally officially authorized activity and working in our company you can reach career growth at a permanent job.

We are looking for a highly motivated specialist, with experience of working with people. The position is home-based. We offer a part-time position with flexible working hours. And we would be happy to consider a full-time job share candidate.

The right person will have good consultation and interpersonal skills and some knowledge of advertising. Candidates must be able to remain focused and motivated when working alone.

Thank you and we are looking forward to cooperate in long term base with you all.
If you are interested in our vacancies, please feel free to make contact with us for further information.
The preference is given to employees with understanding of foreign languages. If you are interested please send the following information to: LazaroWhitfieldLC@gmail.com
1) Full name
2) Contact phone numbers
3) Languages
4) Part time job/Full time

We are looking forward to hearing from you soon.

Best Regards,
bastian willy


[text from some random website]



---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: darrel jorgen <[redacted]>
Date: 11 Sep 2007 10:20
Subject: International trading company is proud to offer a high-paid position for a honest hard-working ambitious person.
To: [redacted]

[text from some random website]

Hello,
First and foremost, we would kindly like to express our deep greetings to you and your relatives and hope you all good condition and happiness and more success in business. Our Worldwide Corporation in search of new employees on different vacancies. We are already for a long time in the market and now we employ employees to occupation from home.

Our Corporation Main center is positioned in United Kingdom with branches all over the world. Our supreme desire now is to enlarge our business level to more countries, so we are advertising here in hope of cooperating with you all. We be grateful for honest and ingenious employers. You do not need to invest any sum of money and we do not ask you to give us with your bank account requisites! We are occupied in totally officially authorized activity and working in our corporation you can reach career growth at a permanent job.

We are looking for a highly motivated specialist, with skill of working with people. The position is home-based. We offer a part-time position with flexible working hours. And we would be happy to consider a full-time job share applicant.

The right person will have good consultation and interpersonal skills and some understanding of advertising. Candidates must be able to remain focused and motivated when working alone.

Thank you and we are looking forward to work together in long-standing basis with you all.
If you are interested in our vacancies, please feel free to make contact with us for further information.
The preference is given to people with knowledge of foreign languages. If you are interested please send next information to: LazaroWhitfieldLC@gmail.com
1) Full name
2) Contact phone numbers
3) Languages
4) Part time job/Full time

We are looking forward to hearing from you soon.

Best Regards,
kin hamilton


[text from some random website]

8 comments:

Spotter said...

This scam is on-going, but the format has changed slightly.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: alard otto <[redacted]>
Date: 14 Sep 2007 06:00
Subject: High paid position for you
To: [redacted]

[text from some random website]

Our Company offers a very good wage to the successful applicant, along with an unrivalled career progression opportunity. If you think you have what it takes to take on this challenge and would like to join please send the following information to: ReggieNavarroPX@gmail.com
1) Full name
2) Contact phone numbers
3) Part time job/Full time

The ideal applicant will be an intelligent individual, someone who can work autonomously with a high degree of enthusiasm. We are looking for a highly motivated professional, with skill of working with people. The position is home-based. We offer a part-time position with flexible working hours. And we would be happy to consider a full-time job share applicant. A strong experience in the marketing field is essential for this role, as is the ability to inspire at every level.
You do not need to spend any sum of money and we do not ask you to give us with your bank account number! We are engaged in totally legal activity.
If you are interested in our vacancy please feel free to contact us for further information. The preference is given to employees with knowledge of foreign languages.
Thank you and we are looking forward to work together in long-standing basis with you all.

[text from some random website]

Spotter said...

While browsing through a spam-trap I rarely visit, I came across another instance which didn't pass the laugh test. It claims not to be associated with "money muls". Ha!

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: [redacted]
Date: 19 Sep 2007 06:36
Subject: International corporation is looking for talented people. No investment reqired.
To: [redacted]


Big international commercial organization is seeking of talented, honest, reliable representatives in different regions. Because of developing of our business the organization is proposing to you to become its part. You can work part time or full time.
Requirements:
Internet Connection
Basic knowledge of PC
Honesty
Reliability
Basic knowledge of marketing is a plus.
If you want to get an opportunity to make a career, to earn some extra money, to gain new experience during the work, you should send us the following information to: JavierBenderHR@gmail.com
1) Full name
2) Contact phone numbers
3) Languages
4) Part time job/Full time
No investments needed to start working with us.
The preference is given to employees with knowledge of foreign languages.
Thank you and we are looking forward to cooperate in long term base with you.

P.S. This job is not associated with "money muls"


[random text about nanotechnology]

Spotter said...

Still on-going. A fresh batch started arriving a day or two ago. Contact addresses I've seen include the following.

ClarenceSummersYO@gmail.com
DrewKnowlesYO@gmail.com
EveCantrellTH@gmail.com
GeorgeHurstHI@gmail.com
GregorioSweeneyES@gmail.com
IssacDelaneyOW@gmail.com
KatherynPruittUF@gmail.com
LavernHornDH@gmail.com
LouieMcdowellCH@gmail.com
TeresaMosleyYZ@gmail.com
TreyReillyQF@gmail.com
WarrenPatelAF@gmail.com

Here is a sample.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: [redacted]
Date: 12 Oct 2007 00:36
Subject: Become employed today in a respectable international company and reach the financial success. (no investment reqired)
To: [redacted]

Big international commercial organization is looking for talented, honest,
reliable representatives from different regions.
The ideal candidate will be an intelligent person,
someone who can work autonomously with a high degree of enthusiasm.
We are looking for highly motivated professionals, with experience in marketing field.
The position is home-based.
We offer a part-time position with flexible working hours.
And we would be happy to consider a full-time job share candidate.
Our Company offers a very competitive salary to the successful candidate,
along with an unrivalled career progression opportunity.
If you think you have what it takes to take on this challenge
and would like to apply please send the following information to: [one of the above addresses]
1) Full name
2) Contact phone numbers
3) Part time job/Full time
You do not need to invest any sum of money and we do not ask you to provide us with your bank account requisites!
We are engaged in completely legal activity.
The preference is given to employees with knowledge of foreign languages.
Thank you and we are looking forward to cooperate in long term base with you.

If you received this message in error, or would like to unsubscribe, please send a blank email to: [one of the above addresses]

Spotter said...

This scam is still very much a going concern. I have received another 28 of these spams since the previous report. Here is a recent sample.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: [redacted (false)]
Date: 20 Oct 2007 21:13
Subject: Worldwide
To: [redacted]

Big international commercial organization is looking for talented, honest,
reliable representatives from different regions.
The ideal candidate will be an intelligent person,
someone who can work autonomously with a high degree of enthusiasm.
We are looking for highly motivated professionals, with experience in marketing field.
The position is home-based.
We offer a part-time position with flexible working hours.
And we would be happy to consider a full-time job share candidate.
Our Company offers a very competitive salary to the successful candidate,
along with an unrivalled career progression opportunity.
If you think you have what it takes to take on this challenge
and would like to apply please send the following information to: JessieLaneHG@gmail.com
1) Full name
2) Contact phone numbers
3) Part time job/Full time
You do not need to invest any sum of money and we do not ask you to provide us with your bank account requisites!
We are engaged in completely legal activity.
The preference is given to employees with knowledge of foreign languages.
Thank you and we are looking forward to cooperate in long term base with you.

If you received this message in error, or would like to unsubscribe, please send a blank email to: CyrusRiddleGL@gmail.com

Spotter said...

This scam is still very much a going concern. The following sample is from about a week ago.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: dallon chao-yan [redacted (false)]
Date: 30 Oct 2007
Subject: New work for you
To: [redacted (privacy)]

Our Company is a privately owned and operated promoting and marketing firm based in UK, with offices all over the world.
We are currently expanding due to client needs. We are looking for candidates that will assist us.
Now we offering positions at the entry level for marketing and management role.
We train all candidates in:
Service Representative
Promotions
Communications
Public Relations
Marketing
We value your goals and your career; so we will connect you with mentors who can offer you as much guidance as you need.
This is a permanent home based position, so anyone ready for a stable career should apply today!

To apply for this job, please CUT AND PASTE your resume (NO attachments please) into an e-mail and send it to KarlHaysGJ@gmail.com. You can also call us at 1-718-732-2785.

If you received this message in error, or would like to unsubscribe, please send a blank email to: EmanuelDunnGL@gmail.com

Spotter said...

The following sample is less than four hours old at the time of posting.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: griz lachlan [redacted (false)]
Subject: Join our marketing team
To: [redacted (privacy)]

We are currently seeking creative and perceptive professionals to join our marketing team. At this time we are considering both experienced, highly qualified specialists as well as those with less experience.

We realize that the success of our company is dependent upon the success of our employees, and therefore have created maximally favorable conditions to help maintain and improve the professional levels of our employees.

The qualities required for success with our company are: Initiative, Leadership, Ability to work with people, and a drive for self-improvement. Employees with such merits have an excellent opportunity to create a successful career within our company. Preference will be given to applicants with knowledge of multiple languages.

If you would like to work with our active, dynamic team, we invite you to apply for employment.
Please send the following information to ColeSellersVH@gmail.com.
1. Full name
2 Address of residence
3 Contact Phone numbers
4 Languages spoken
5 Whether you are interested in part time job or full time employment.

Thank you. We look forward to working with you.

If you received this message in error, please send a blank email to: DionReesePV@gmail.com

Spotter said...

In approximately the last two weeks, I have seen the following list of Gmail address used as contact or unsubscribe addresses in this scam.

AdamBarlowOT@gmail.com
AlisaNolanFG@gmail.com
AlphonsoHuberHW@gmail.com
AndreaHarrisSK@gmail.com
ArtGilmoreJD@gmail.com
BoydAllisonVH@gmail.com
BradGarciaXY@gmail.com
ColeSellersVH@gmail.com
ConstanceMoralesNN@gmail.com
DionReesePV@gmail.com
DonnyCummingsNO@gmail.com
EliseoCohenNP@gmail.com
ElliottBrooksZH@gmail.com
EmanuelDunnGL@gmail.com
FernandoEnglishVV@gmail.com
FrederickCharlesKA@gmail.com
FredricLambJB@gmail.com
GarySawyerCM@gmail.com
GermanSantiagoLM@gmail.com
JasperWoodDA@gmail.com
JohnieWongMM@gmail.com
KarlHaysGJ@gmail.com
KerryBarryAH@gmail.com
KipBeardQV@gmail.com
LenardDuncanTQ@gmail.com
LindseyPattersonAL@gmail.com
LonVelezNI@gmail.com
LouisHendrixMW@gmail.com
MarquitaKiddHJ@gmail.com
RichieAustinGB@gmail.com
RonKirbySX@gmail.com
ShermanGloverHR@gmail.com
WaldoFuentesNN@gmail.com
WallaceMartinKF@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Hello!
Here I am sending you an other scam
I just receive it! Thanky for your blog!

We are Looking for partners worldwide. The position is home-based. Our Company Head Office is located in UK with branches all over the world. We are looking for talented, honest, reliable representatives from different regions. The ideal candidate will be an intelligent person, someone who can work autonomously with a high degree of enthusiasm. Our Company offers a very competitive salary to the successful candidate, along with an unrivalled career progression opportunity.

If you would like to work with our active, dynamic team, we invite you to apply for employment. Preference will be given to applicants with knowledge of multiple languages. Please send the following information to PercyPerkinsKT@gmail.com.
1. Full name 2 Address of residence
3 Contact Phone numbers
4 Languages spoken
5 Whether you are interested in part time job or full time employment.
Thank you. We look forward to working with you.
If you received this message in error, please send a blank email to: NettieDavidRI@gmail.com.