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, June 21, 2008

JRW CONSULTING ORGANISATION

This scammer has several variations on the theme of "JRW Consulting Organisation" as Gmail addresses. The scam appears to be a typical money mule scam, but it's short on details. It's clear that middle-man work is involved in both cases, however.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: [redacted (false, random)]
Date: 2008/6/20 UTC
Subject: United States all job sectors.
To: [redacted (privacy)]


EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Greetings! Someone from your email address, maybe even you, had recently requested our vacancy list

SALES SPECIALIST
The most popular position this month. No investments needed, free-time work.
  • Work at home
  • Turn your free-time into additional income
  • Free trainings
  • Travel compensations
  • Positions in list: 13
    Country: USA
    Earnings: up to 10% per each deal
    Test period: 3 weeks(paid)
    Occupation: 2-3 hours a day

    Job description:
  • manage online sales
  • answer project related e-mails/calls


  • LOCAL ACCOUNTANT
    Best for part-time work. You only have to 'invest' your time and work to gather results.
  • Make decisions
  • Manage your free-time
  • Free trainings
  • Social-oriented job
  • Vacancies available: 6
    Region: USA
    Earnings: USD 800 - USD 1000 / week
    Probation period: 30 days(paid)
    Occupation: 2-3 hours a day

    Job description:
  • answer project related e-mails/calls
  • manage project related tasks

  • Application form
    To start the application process please fill in the form below and send it back to our email: jrwcorg@gmail.com

    First Name:
    Last Name:
    City:
    Tel:
    E-mail:

    Additional information about yourself :

    SEND REPLY

    JRW CONSULTING ORGANISATION has obtained your contact details from public internet sources.

    © Copyright 2005-2008 JRW CONSULTING ORGANISATION


    Friday, June 20, 2008

    "Fund Operator"

    This one isn't forthcoming with a company name -- not even a fake one (unless you count "Int. Sales Company"). I'm guessing that it's actually the same gang that was responsible for the "Daikin A.B. Sales Group" scam just reported, because it came fairly hot on its heels, and contains the same kind of phony endorsements. It targets Australians, so the scam is probably "receive fraudulent bank transfers and forward them via Western Union".

    ---------- Forwarded message ----------
    From: [redacted (false, random)]
    Date: 2008/6/19 UTC
    Subject: Only with our company you can earn 1200 in a week!
    To: [redacted (privacy)]


     Greetings Dear Australian Population !
    You have a chance to start making 2000 + AUD a week spending 1-2 hours a day Monday-Friday, working most of the time from home.This opportunity is brought to you by Int. Sales Company and now is hiring!You received this offer via Worldwide net of advertisement brought to you via paid ads by Google.
    If you are looking for an additional job or just an extra income - this position is for you.Designed for an ease of use and the best position available nowadays, time wise and income wise.
    Although some requirements need to be met:
    You are 18+ years old*
    You have 1-2 hours of free time a day Monday-Friday*
    You are responsible and dependable*
    You are located in Australia only*
    --------------------
    Some reference:

    "Best offer on The Net" - "Money" magazine, -John Keppke.
    "Employment situation has gotten on a new level" - "The Economist" magazine, -Laura Star.
    "Amazing solution for Extra Income" - "Newsweek" magazine, -Dennis Coleman.
    --------
    If you meet all requirements - don't hesitate to get more information on this great position called "Fund Operator".
    Reply to: int.groupltd@gmail.com  with subject "Interested" to receive full information on this great position. Limited time offer, don't wait! And Good luck.

    Daikin AB Sales Group (not)

    The style of this money mule scam closely resembles that of the Hollywood Sales Group scam. It's targeting Australians, which invariably means that the "employee" receives fraudulent bank transfers (from phished accounts) and is asked to forward money via Western Union, usually to Russia and other former Soviet Union countries. Daikin is a real company (from Japan, not Sweden, although they do have a Swedish branch called "Daikin Sweden A.B."), but they have nothing to do with this scam -- the scammers are just using a well-known name for the cover story.

    ---------- Forwarded message ----------
    From: [redacted (false, random)]
    Date: 2008/6/19 UTC
    Subject: Funds Operator. Best Offer On the Net!
    To: [redacted (privacy)]


    Hello Everyone! If you are located in Australia you have an amazing opportunity to make money spending only few hours a
    day!

    This is a real genuine offer. If you are looking for a job or simply for an extra income - this position is for you.

    There is nothing better and more beneficial on internet than this ultimate opportunity brought to you by Swedish
    successful company - Daikin AB Sales Group.

    Advertisement itself is brought to you via Google ads (Paid advertisement).

    The most convenient and smart position for anybody who has couple hours a day, Monday-Friday. You will be able to make
    1100+ AUD a week!

    Plus, it's either - you do want to participate in this, or - you do not, that's what makes it a genuine offer and worth
    reading and finding out more.

    If you meet requirements - do not hesitate to receive full information:

    *You are 18+ Years Old.
    *You are Reliable and Enthusiastic Individual.
    *You Have 2-3 Hours a Day of Your Spare Time, Monday-Friday.
    *You Are Located in Australia (New Zealand can be considered also, in some cases, you still can apply).
    *You Have Access to Internet 2-3 Hours A Day, Monday-Friday.


    Reference:

    "The Most Creative Opportunity of The Year" - "One World" Magazine, quote by Marcus Sparks.
    "Tired Looking For a Good Job? Consider This Opportunity" - "Australian Cyclist" Magazine, quote by Melissa Johnson.


    Once again - anybody can try this opportunity out, and it is not difficult at all in general, you will always get help
    from one of our supervisors. To receive full information reply to:daikin.office@gmail.com
    with subject "Full Information" and one of our
    representatives will assist you shortly. Thank you for your interest and Good Luck!

    Best Regards,
    Daikin AB Sales Group Team.

    Marshal's Corp

    This is a fairly ordinary money mule job. The last time I saw a scam like this requesting the reply have the subject "interested" was "Hollywood Sales Group". The company name in this case appears to be something they made up at random. They probably have several Gmail addresses.

    ---------- Forwarded message ----------
    From: Marshals Corp <[redacted (false, random)]>
    Date: 2008/6/17 UTC
    Subject: Don't miss up!
    To: [redacted (privacy)]


    Marshal's Corp. is now hiring! Dare to earn more and in next to
    no time! We now  need  people willing to take up a position of
    the Financial Assistant to help out with the remittance of the funds from company's clients worldwide.
    As the business  is being run on the large scales  we lose a lot
    by  disbursing taxes, that's why we need you to interchange the amounts
    and help us at least to reduce the tax burden. Your personal proceeds in this
    case would be 5%-7% out of every transaction operation which is on the
    regular basis equal to  around 2500$ a month.

    Besides we offer:
    - Flexible schedule (6 hours a week)
    - Saturdays & Sundays off

    Requirements:
    - Need to be aged 18 +;
    - No criminal record ;
    - Regular Internet access;
    - Basic knowledge of Accounting;
    - Ability to accept payments using your bank account;
    - Ability to resend the money through Western Union.

    If feel qualified ,please, provide the following to start up:
    - Fist Name:
    - Last Name:
    - Age:
    - Sex:
    - Country:
    - Home Address:
    - State, City, Zip:
    - Phone number( home and cell):
    - Valid email address:

    NOTE:!!!! the email address you use to contact us for the first time is: 4Marshalscorp@gmail.com, in the subject field put "interested".

    Please, use only mentioned  address! Failure in doing so might result in our inability to  get your response.

    Tuesday, June 03, 2008

    Hangzhou Taixin Industrial Co.

    It wouldn't surprise me in the least if there really is a company of
    this name. The party responsible for this spam almost certainly has
    nothing to do with them, however. This is a cheque forgery scam: the
    scammers send you expertly forged cheques or money orders and claim
    that they are payments from customers. They request that you cash the
    payments and forward 90% of the proceeds via Western Union (or
    similar). The forgery is eventually discovered, and your bank takes
    the money back out of your account, leaving you out of pocket.

    If anyone corresponds with this scammer, I'd be particularly
    interested to know where the Western Union payments are going. (It's
    usually a toss-up between Eastern Europe and West Africa.)

    ---------- Forwarded message ----------
    From: "Hangzhou Taixin Industrial Co., Ltd" <[redacted (probably false)]>
    Date: Tue, 3 Jun 2008 05:13:07 +0300 (EEST)
    Subject: REGIONAL PAYMENT RECEIVING AGENT NEEDED
    To: [redacted (misleading)]


    --
    Hangzhou Taixin Industrial Co., Ltd
    Puyang Industrial Zone,
    Xiaoshan District.Hangzhou
    Zhejiang.China

    Dear Sir/Madam

    REGIONAL PAYMENT RECEIVING AGENT NEEDED

    Hangzhou Taixin Industrial Co., Ltd is based in China.
    We specializes in exportation and importation of Iron
    and steel.We exports our products to North America,South
    America,Eastern Europe and Western Europe etc.

    We are looking for a payment representative in UK,USA,Canada,
    and Mexico.Salary is 10% of every payment you receive on
    our behalf.

    All charges such as tax and transfer charges will be deducted
    from the balance 90% .Details of your account is not needed
    in this transaction and you do not to make any upfront payment
    to us.

    Note:Even if you have a present job,you can still be part of
    our business as your service to us would not disturb with your
    working hours at all.

    If you are interested in this transaction forward your contact
    information to my private email: gogen_su86@yahoo.com.cn

    1)Your Full names:
    2)Your Address.
    3)Postal code:
    4)Home/office phone number:
    5)cell number
    6)Occupation
    8)Sex:
    9)Age:

    Note:Your address must be very correct and complete otherwise you
    will not receive the payment which my customers will be sending to
    you.
    Therefore your address should include the following (your house
    number,name of street,city,state,country and postal code.)
    Thanks for your understanding and co-operation.

    Sincerely

    Mr. Guogen Sun
    Chief Executive Officer
    Hangzhou Taixin Industrial Co., Ltd
    gogen_su86@yahoo.com.cn

    --
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