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.

Saturday, December 22, 2007

Safit US


The job description looks like a "reshipper" scam, but their website claims that they are in software development, so what goods could they possibly want re-shipped? The usual answer to that question is "expensive consumer electronics, like laptop computers". Anyhow, stay away from this scam unless aiding international fraudsters is your idea of a good career move.

   Domain Name: SAFITUSJOB.COM
   Registrar: SCHLUND+PARTNER AG
   Whois Server: whois.schlund.info
   Referral URL: http://REGISTRAR.SCHLUND.INFO
   Name Server: NS57.1AND1.COM
   Name Server: NS58.1AND1.COM
   Updated Date: 16-sep-2007
   Creation Date: 16-sep-2007
   Expiration Date: 16-sep-2008

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: [redacted (false)]
Subject: New Positions Available. Home based.
To: ideceive@gmail.com

Hello dear Jobseeker,

Please find below new interest in your resume from our Employer:

Job Information:
Job Title: Coordinator of Delivery Department and Logistics.
Location: US,CA,UK,AU,NZ
Job Type: Home based
Salary: 35,000$-45,000$ + Bonuses
Company Name: Safit US LLC
Company's Site: www.SafitUSjob.com
Job Verification Number: C773

Message From Job Poster:
We are interested in your resume for a home based job position. Please visit our official site www.SafitUSjob.com  to
find more information about our company. If you are interested in the
Position please go to Vacancies Section. Please note that your Job Verification Number is : C773


PLEASE DO NOT REPLY TO THIS E-MAIL

If you reply to this email, your reply will not be read. If you have questions or comments for CareerBuilder, please use
our Feedback form.

Friday, December 14, 2007

HeartMicroTech Inc

"Remote Financial Operator" is yet another way of saying "money mule". The originating IP address of this particular spam was 81.215.204.30 (delegated to Turk Telecom), and I'm not sure whether that means the scammer himself is in Turkey, or whether it's just been sent through a compromised end user computer there. Anyhow, it's all terribly vague, but the punch line is usually that they want some kind of (fraudulent) payment converted into a Western Union money transfer.

Domain ID:D149624706-LROR
Domain Name:HEARTMICROTECHINC.ORG
Created On:01-Nov-2007 13:50:29 UTC
Last Updated On:01-Nov-2007 13:50:30 UTC
Expiration Date:01-Nov-2008 13:50:29 UTC
Sponsoring Registrar:GoDaddy.com, Inc. (R91-LROR)
Registrant ID:GODA-039346921
Registrant Email:heartmicrotech@gmail.com
Name Server: NS05.DOMAINCONTROL.COM
Name Server:NS06.DOMAINCONTROL.COM

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: [redacted (random)]
Subject: Part-Time Job!
To: [redacted]

We would like to offer you a vacancy of Remote Financial Operator.

My name is Birger Frans and I'm Chief Manager of the personnel
department in HeartMicroTech Inc.. I am pleased to offer you a vacant position
of Remote Financial Operator in HeartMicroTech.

Let me tell you a little about our company. We are engaged in
developing different technical gadgets for modern medical market, and we have
more than 11 patented innovations and brand new brilliant ideas. Company
was established in Zurich in 2003 and has earned quite good reputation
in the market since then. At the moment we have plans for further
development, our intentions are to broaden our services and add an
international network to serve clients all over the world.

To offer our foreign customers more favorable and comfortable
conditions we have made the decision to create an international network of
remote operators. We hired employees in various areas of the world. It
allowed our clients to get access to wider assortment of goods than before.
In fact, earlier, many medical goods suppliers refused to work with us
for the reason of bureaucracy that occurred when registration of legal
documents was needed to transport equipment or make payments.


The Duties of the Remote Financial Operator consist of dealing with
financial parts of our company's orders in his/her area. We pay 5-10% from
the order total.  Also, there is a fixed salary of $1500 per month.
Health insurance included.

Work Requirements

1) Minimal knowledge of personal computer and Internet/E-mail access
2) Legal age
3) Willingness to work at home 2-3 hrs per day
4) Crime-free background (background check will be made before
accepting on the position)

No upfront payments or pledges for the goods required!

Please reply to this opening@heartmicrotechinc.org if you are
interested in this opening. We will provide you with more information. Feel free
to ask questions.

Best Regards,

Birger Frans

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Condor Company

Random fake company with nothing more than a Gmail address seeks suckers to act as money mules. Slight identity crisis here: subject says "Burneys Finances Services", body says "Condor Company". It's hard to keep this stuff sorted out when you change identities so frequently.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: [redacted (fake)]
Date: 8 Dec 2007 08:38
Subject: Vacancy opened in Burneys Finances Services
To: ideceive@gmail.com

Good day,

Let me introduce myself. I am the Head Hiring Manager of Condor Company Viktor Horoshavin. At this moment we are seeking a new employee for the constant position in our Structure.

Our Company is specialized in producing and selling different kinds of office and home furniture answering to all requirements of taste, fashion and price. Condor Company was based in 2004. Since that time we have proved high quality and modern technologies of our goods and achieved world popularity in furniture industry. Our production is well-known among our customers in France, Germany, Great Britain, Netherlands and Sweden. At this stage we are interested in widening our market and now represent our Product in the United States of America. We need a Professional who will be our Official representative in the USA and serve our financial interests.

Our requirements: USA citizenship. Responsibility, diligence and honesty.

Job description: Financial operations with our company’s wholesale lots. Reception of payments for wholesale lots. Preparation of monthly reports.

Conditions: Monthly commission is based on percentage. You will receive 5 % from each payment that comes in your bank account. (You will have approximately $2 500 - $ 3 000 monthly)
Our job proposal can be taken as a part time position and will not give any negative effect to your present job status.

Please feel free to ask any questions. Our managers will be glad to give you more information if you are interested. Contact us by e-mail:

support.condor@gmail.com

Thank you. Best regards,
Condor Company.

Lat Trading


Just another random fictional company looking for money mules in the USA.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Subject: Opportunity

Are you looking for a part-time or full-time vacancy in the US, or work for students?  If you’re looking for a high
and stable level of income, with remarkable growth potential and an international scope, we invite you to join Lat
Trading, and fill one of our many available vacancies for US regional financial representative.

The quantity of sales, along with the size of our partnership network, is growing every day, and we are now announcing
the hiring of new representatives of our company in the U.S.

The basic skills we look for in an associate are an outgoing nature, an ability to take the initiative, basic personal
computer skills, and a sound knowledge of how payment systems work.

Working with us is always interesting. When you work with us, you’ll have a stable income; you’ll interact
with people, organize the networks of our partners, and a whole lot more.


Join us!

Visit our website for more info: www.lat-trading.com

Monday, December 10, 2007

Noni Health Care

This is just another dodgy Nigerian (IP address 41.219.193.87) wanting you to bank his fake checks in exchange for real money. What's amusing is that he's linked to noni.com in the process, suggesting that it's some sort of charity. It's not: they are purveyors of an exotic (and bad smelling) "health food" sold through network marketing. I should therefore emphasise that this listing is for our friend the dodgy Nigerian scammer pretending to be "Noni Health Care", not the actual sellers of the nasty Tahitian Noni gunk.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: JERRY PASTEUR <jerrypasteur@hotmail.com>
Date: 11 Dec 2007 06:31
Subject: PART TIME REPRESENTATIVE NEED/ JOB OFFER




Hello,

I am Jerry Pasteur, one of representatives' in Noni Health Care, we work
hard to support the community. As a brand, we aim to help improve the
quality of life for children and their families. This is demonstrated in
our role as corporate sponsor for the Well Child charity with money raised
going towards helping sick children and their families. We are an
organization with a remarkable heritage.

Am inviting you to be a representative of Noni and earn a commission for
funds raised.This may earn you about $4000 per week or more which does not
affect your current job earning or disability money.This way funds will be
made in your name from our Donor round USA and some part of the world and
you deduct Ten percent (10%) of the total amount on these funds as your
commission for the great service you have rendered in support to saving
life's in the third world and have the rest sent to our receiving Western
Union Agent.

I'm sending you this offer because I have just been granted a funding to
head a charity support project in part of Asia and Africa counseling on
the HIV/AIDS which is increasing at an alarming rate and provision of
basic amenities in support to humanitarian services to the third world
Nations and this would be commencing very soon and clearing this fund here
takes longer time and much is deducted from it in the bank.This
opportunity is just for the mean time and it won't affect your present
job. If you are interested forward the following info to my email for
further instructions

YOUR
FULL NAME : ........................
FULL ADDRESS : ......................
CITY : ................................
STATE: ................................
COUNTRY ..............................
ZIP CODE: ..........................
PHONE NUMBER (S) : .................................
GENDER : ..................................
AGE : ...................................... DRIVERS LICENCE
NO.:............................

Please i would be expecting your email asap.
www.noni.com
Representative: Mr.Jerry Pasteur
Registered No. 1081182
Reply to this e-mail : jerrypasteur@hotmail.com

CAWA

I think this is the first time I've seen the ".name" domain used in a job scam. Aside from the change in tactics on the domain name, this looks most similar to the MFG and AEG scams.

Domain Name ID: 2976666DOMAIN-NAME
Domain Name: CAWA.NAME
Sponsoring Registrar ID: 21REGISTRAR-NAME
Sponsoring Registrar: Directi Internet Solutions d/b/a PublicDomainRegistry.Com
Registrant ID: 2206460CONTACT-NAME
Name Server: NS1.IPNAMES.NET
Name Server: NS2.IPNAMES.NET
Created On: 2007-12-07T02:19:10Z
Expires On: 2008-12-07T02:19:10Z
Updated On: 2007-12-07T02:19:20Z

---------- Forwarded message ----------

Welcome to cooperation!

Company CAWA is one of the leaders among producers of cosmetic products of high quality in the majority of the European
countries. Good management and flexible price policy resulted in the third place in total turnover among similar
companies. Our company is constantly developing, and today our key managers have decided to launch a branch office in
Australia.

One of the main advantages (perhaps the most important one) is our staff. Our success results from passion for work,
commitment and qualification of our personnel. Among the main principles of the company are respect for employees, high
wages for qualified job, orientation for development of professionalism. Involvement and training of good specialists is
a common task not only for key managers, staff department but also for common employees.

Due to the launch of the branch office we are looking for Transfer Manager. Transfer Manager will act as linkers between
the offices at the initial stage of the company development in the region. The duties of the employee will include
receipt of payment for the goods and further transactions to the office to their direct manager. It is important that at
the initial stage all the transactions will be realized through electronic payment systems WU, MG. Initial wage will be
7%.

We are sure that business success depends on qualification of employees, their relationship to the company and will to
corporate success. Starting on initial position and having determination to develop any person with required potential
qualities and determination for constant self-development can count for support of key managers.

Working with our company means to realize yourself. If you are open for communication, hard-working, have skills of team
working determined to develop your career and are looking for high paying job in a large reliable company than this offer
will be the next step in you career.

If you are interested in this offer please visit: www.cawa.name

Faithfully yours,

Robert Dzekanski,
cawa@cawa.name


Tuesday, December 04, 2007

Escrow Pay Inc.

This one was forwarded by a correspondent. It's obviously a money mule job. The cover story is kind of thin: why would a company which is supposedly based in the Empire State Building need representatives in the USA?

Domain ID:D2699907-AFIN
Domain Name: ESCROWPAY.IN
Created On:30-Nov-2007 01:13:46 UTC
Last Updated On:30-Nov-2007 01:13:47 UTC
Expiration Date:30-Nov-2008 01:13:46 UTC
Sponsoring Registrar:Direct Information Pvt. Ltd. dba PublicDomainRegistry.com (R5-AFIN)
Registrant ID:DI_2419181
Registrant Name:ITWEB Domain Protection
Name Server:NS2.IPNAMES.NET
Name Server: NS1.IPNAMES.NET


---------- Forwarded message ----------
Sent: Friday, November 30, 2007 12:09 AM
Subject: Home-based work in online business!

Escrow Pay Inc.
Empire State Building
NY 10118,
NEW YORK, USA

   Hello,

   We would like to offer you home-based job in online business.

   We are co-operation who deal on escrow and payment online business.
   We are searching for representatives who can help us establish a medium of
getting to our costumers in USA as well as making payments through you to us.
Please if you are interested in transacting business with us we will be very glad,
Please contact us for more information. Subject to your satisfaction you will be given
the opportunity to negotiate your mode of which we will pay for your services
as our representative in USA.

   Please if you are interested in this position
visit our site http://www.escrowpay.in/
or wtite to job@escrowpay.in

Registration is FREE of charge. Initial training is provided!


Best Regards,
Rick Butheman,
Office Coordinator of Escrow Pay Inc.

E-Money Exchange Co.

Another vague job description which is still clearly a money mule position of some sort for a completely fictitious company. The domain name in question was registered a month ago. There may be other variations registered -- I'll report them if I see them.

   Domain Name: EMONEY-EX.COM
   Registrar: ONLINENIC, INC.
   Whois Server: whois.35.com
   Referral URL: http://www.OnlineNIC.com
   Name Server: NS1.MYSERVERDNS.COM
   Name Server: NS2.MYSERVERDNS.COM
   Updated Date: 01-nov-2007
   Creation Date: 01-nov-2007
   Expiration Date: 01-nov-2008

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: [redacted (false)]
Subject: We offer job.Position Type: Full Time
To: ideceive@gmail.com

Our professional & customer service, which works in e-commerce sphere, is looking for a new Financial operator, who  enjoys patient interaction.

_ Financial operator_

Position Requirements:
Fluent English, both spoken and written
Knowledge of PC: MS Office, typing, instant messengers
Communication skills, ability to communicate freely by phone and e-mail

Additional Requirements:
Age 21+
Proactive approach in working
Responsiveness
Diligence
Customer service which is oriented with exceptional interpersonal skills
Willing and ability to excel in very independent commission-based sales environment
Ethical and honest
Internet

Job Description:
Prospects of career in a rapidly expanding company, professional growth support
Involvement in strategic level corporate activities
Flexible working time-table
Contract of employment
Wages for this work - in percentage ($9.800)
We can offer you both the full working day and a partial employment.

Details: http://emoney-ex.com

If you are interested, please fill the form or send your resume to our e-mail Baranowski_Yadviga@emoney-ex.com

Feel free to call my assistant Victoria Tel: 6462334299


--
Yours sincerely,
Baranowski Yadviga
Recruiter
E-Money Exchange Co. LLC


Monday, December 03, 2007

Soft Touch Designs Fabrics & Textile Co.

Yet another scammer pretending to be a textiles company -- a bizarrely popular cover story. Wants the employee to cash forged checks or money orders. Fails to mention the "forgery" angle.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Mr. Terry Donald <terry_donald60@msn.com>
Reply-to:
terrydonald49@yahoo.com.hk
Subject: Re. Commission Agent
To:

Re.From:Mr. Terry Donald
Director of Overseas Affairs

Our ref: CHG/CW/001/05

Hello,
It is my pleasure to write you in respect of our Company Soft Touch
Designs Fabrics& Textile Co., Ltd. located at JOHNS WOOD RD,LONDON,NW8QP
UNITED KINGDOM. We are experts in the sale of Textile  materials; we
export into Canada/America, Asia, and parts Europe.We are looking for a
reliable commission agent who can help us receive payments from customers
that our company supplies goods to in Canada, America, Europe and Asia as
well as making payments through you to us.

Please if you are reliable and interested in been a commission agentwith
our company we will be glad but you have to be an honest and a trustworthy
person. Note that, as our commission agent, you will receive some
percentage and motivations on whatever amount you receive on behalf of our
company. The percentage will be 10% of every payment you receive on
our behalf Subject to your satisfaction you will be given the opportunity
to negotiate your mode of which we will pay for your services as our
commission agent in Canada, America, Asia and Europe.


All you do is receive payment from our client in the State in America
there The  payments will be issued out in your name and you get them
cashed in your bank deduct your weekly salary which will be 10% of total
money you receive and forward the balance to the company via MoneyGram or
Western Union Money Transfer.

If you are intrested fill this form and send to it back with the following
informations

FIRST NAME.....
SURNAME........
ADDRESS........
STATE.......
CITY..........
ZIP CODE.......
COUNTRY.......
PHONE NUMBER (S) ....
GENDER...
MARITAL
STATUS...
AGE.......
COMPANY NAME (If any).............................
OCCUPATION.......................................  .

I AWAIT YOUR URGENT RESPONSE.


Thank you for your time as we are looking forward to working with you
asyou send your response back to us.

Kindest Regards,
Mr. Terry Donald
Director of Overseas Affairs

"a company with developing transfer and customs clearance service in Europe"

They don't say who they are, or what the job is, and the contact address is a Yahoo! account. At a guess, it's a "cash our fake checks for us" job, but it could be a reshipper position. Guaranteed bad news for applicants, either way.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: [redacted (false)]
Subject: Remote job
To: ideceive@gmail.com

Dear Sir/Madam,


We are sorry to be spending your time, but this is a real opportunity to work and earn your money.

We are a company with developing transfer and customs clearance service in Europe, and currently we have an open vacancy
in the USA. This job will bring in additional money in your family budget.

To begin working with us you do not need to invest anything. While working with us, you will not waste your time and
money, you will only earn them!

If you want to recieve additional information about this vacancy, send us your email approval here: roadbm@yahoo.ie

Sunday, December 02, 2007

MFG

This money mule job scam may be brief, but it's being sent in significant quantity.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: [redacted (false)]
Subject: MFG offers new job
To: [redacted (privacy)]

We are glad to inform you that currently have an opening position as a Processing Manager at MFG.

This is a part time job, in home, salary based. Step by step training, and great career opportunities.
Requirements are:
- good social skills
- ability to use email.
- internet access.

Please contact us for details at jobs-info@job-database.org

Saturday, December 01, 2007

Mr Curtis from a respectable E-Trust company

Money mule job of some sort. The spam doesn't give exact details: it could be fake checks or fraudulent transfers they want you to cash out.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Mr. Curtis <[redacted]>
Subject: Make Money Helping Out Company!

Good day!
A respectable  E-Trust  company is seeking for employees in the USA.
If you are interested in finding a secure job, please, respond to us
and we will be happy to give you more details.
At this moment we are enlarging our staff and you have a chance to become a member of our team and get additional earnings spending 2 - 3 hours per week.
You don t need any special experience for this position.

What we offer:
- Flexible program: two hours/week at your choice, daytime and evening time, mainly checking your e-mail
- Work at home: checking e-mail and going to the bank
- Part time - no need to leave your current job - if you already work.
- 2-3 hours free during the week (mainly in the evening / non-business hours) for communication.

Important:
- Adult age (must be over 18 years old)
- U.S. work authorization
- You don t need to selling or buying anything.
- You don t need to make personal investments to start your work.

Requirements:
- general internet knowledge including working with Microsoft Office (Word/Excel)
- familiarized with financial terms (debit/credit, invoices etc.)
- familiarized with banking procedures (wire transfers, withdraws etc.)
- no diploma required
- students accepted

If You are interested in our job offer, please, reply to this letter.
Contact us: manager_usa_employment@yahoo.com
Thank you and have a nice day.

"Mr. Curtis"