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.

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Global Union

Typical money mule scam targeting Australians, which invariably means the job involves receiving fraudulent bank transfers and forwarding money via Western Union. This message included white-on-white hashbuster text at the end of the message -- a technique last seen in the Green Tree scam, so I suspect this is the same scam under a new name.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Global Union <[redacted (false, random)]>
Date: 2008/5/27 UTC
Subject: Work from home anytime and get paid for it (Up to 1000$/week)
To: [redacted (privacy)]


HIRING NOW, Full Time/Part Time,

Paid training provided. The most remarkable thing about this position is that anyone can make money with it. It doesn't require any special skills, training, education or previous business experience. You only need access to the Internet and basic typing skills. It is the perfect work at home job for stay at home moms, students, home makers, retirees or anyone that is in need of some extra cash.

Requirements

Applicants must be 18years of age or over, Australian citizen or resident.
No previous experience is necessary...full paid training is available if required.

Company Overview

Work from home with Global Union: Stay-at-home parent, part-timers, and entrepreneurs. You can start working with us, by either working full time or part time. We are a service based company, so there are no products, no inventory, no parties, no cold calling. In addition, our company will pay you while you train working for us.

Experience in internet is not necessary. We invest time and money on you so please, only people that are serious and are willing to work minimum of 10 hours a week or more need request an interview. For more information about starting working for us, please click on the tab below, and to request an interview, leave your full contact details on our website. This is a legitimate employment position and is not multilevel and does not require an upfront payment or deposits. To find out more and apply for an interview please visit:

http://global-union-inc.com/vacancies.html

The Company Advantage

Lifetime Residual Income
No Major Investments
Save Money! No Commuting…
Step By Step Training
Unlimited Monthly Income
Daily Pay
Direct deposit available
No cold calling
No selling to friends and family

This business is giving regular people like stay at home mom/parent, school bus drivers, fast food workers, and construction workers an opportunity to out perform Executive salaries!!

Welcome on board.

Regards,
Alan Jones

[large amounts of white-on-white text redacted]

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

InfoBite Software Ltd

Many thanks to A.C. for sending me this. At first glance, it looks like a typical money mule scam, but on closer investigation it appears to be an atypically nasty case. Most money mule scams deal in fraudulent direct bank transfers (from phishing) or forged cheques and money orders, but this one appears to be part of a credit card fraud gang. The amount of work involved in this scam is quite significant: they want you to set up a company and open a merchant account. I downloaded their FAQ document into Google docs for posterity, so see for yourself what's involved. To me it looks an awful lot like the mind-blowing organised credit card fraud operation documented by MGD, only this time the cover story is a software company, not web templates or e-books.

The website operated by this scam is quite slick -- it appears to have been ripped off from ELEKS Software.

I have found the following domain names used in association with this scam so far. All are relatively recent registrations. There may well be others.

   Domain Name: E-INFOBITE.NET
   Registrar: DIRECTI INTERNET SOLUTIONS PVT. LTD. D/B/A PUBLICDOMAINREGISTRY.COM
   Whois Server: whois.PublicDomainRegistry.com
   Referral URL: http://www.PublicDomainRegistry.com
   Name Server: NS1.HOTVD.COM
   Name Server: NS2.HOTVD.COM
   Updated Date: 25-may-2008
   Creation Date: 16-mar-2008
   Expiration Date: 16-mar-2009

   Domain Name: INFOBITEONLINE.COM
   Registrar: DIRECTI INTERNET SOLUTIONS PVT. LTD. D/B/A PUBLICDOMAINREGISTRY.COM
   Whois Server: whois.PublicDomainRegistry.com
   Referral URL: http://www.PublicDomainRegistry.com
   Name Server: NS.INFOBITEONLINE.COM
   Updated Date: 30-mar-2008
   Creation Date: 29-jan-2008
   Expiration Date: 29-jan-2009

Domain Name:                                 INFOBITEONLINE.BIZ
Domain ID:                                   D23171767-BIZ
Sponsoring Registrar:                        DIRECTI INTERNET SOLUTIONS PVT. LTD. DBA PUBLICDOMAINREGISTRY.COM
Sponsoring Registrar IANA ID:                303
Domain Status:                               ok
Registrant ID:                               DI_7692043
Registrant Name:                             Mladesh Voycovicz
Registrant Organization:                     Infobite Software, Inc
Registrant Email:                            barbarakipha@cheerful.com
Name Server:                                 NS.INFOBITEONLINE.BIZ
Name Server:                                 NS1.INFOBITEONLINE.BIZ
Created by Registrar:                        DIRECTI INTERNET SOLUTIONS PVT. LTD. DBA PUBLICDOMAINREGISTRY.COM
Last Updated by Registrar:                   DIRECTI INTERNET SOLUTIONS PVT. LTD. DBA PUBLICDOMAINREGISTRY.COM
Domain Registration Date:                    Mon Feb 11 17:00:07 GMT 2008
Domain Expiration Date:                      Tue Feb 10 23:59:59 GMT 2009
Domain Last Updated Date:                    Sun Apr 13 06:44:25 GMT 2008


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Богатков Куприян <eupouqihipe@yandex.ru>
Date: Mon, May 26, 2008 at 9:21 AM
Subject: Resume ID : 482208
To: [redacted (privacy)]


Good day,

We speak on behalf of InfoBite Software Limited [Poland].

Our company was started back in 1991 and presently is in Top 50 leaders of Eastern European Market of software development and IT sourcing.

Currently, InfoBite Software

energetically looking into embracing online market of Europe, and in order to achieve it we require a reliable partner Sales Representative in United States.

The duties of our partner in US will consist of simply organization of the marketing schemes of our products [Scheme has been already created and simply required to be executed]

The uniqueness of the ensuing project is that 99% of sales is designed for the website, which will present whole specter of company products.

At the moment the advertising budget has been already formed and the website is consists of our goods

rough salary for Sales Representative is $1,500-2,500 a month or 10% in commissions from each sale.

If you are interested in this proposition, you can complete an application form, peruse the FAQ section on this position, and then our HR Director Nataliya Shpankova will get in touch with you to talk about further details.

Fill out the application form and see more information on our proposal [FAQ], you can here:



http://www.e-infobite.net/page/vacancies/form.php?vac=sales_representative



Best Regards

HR Department

InfoBite Software Ltd.

ARX Finance

Typical money mule job -- probably involves receiving direct bank transfers (fraudulent) and forwarding cash via Western Union. The name "ARX Finance" is probably made up -- any similarity with any real company is either coincidental or a deliberate smokescreen.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: ARX Finance <[redacted (random, false)]>
Date: 2008/5/26 UTC
Subject: RE:
To: [redacted (privacy)]


ARX Finance is announcing new job propositions in Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada and EU.
There are no professional requirements. Your commitment to the job,
readiness to fulfill the required tasks on time and with good quality, honesty and responsibility
are the basic recruitment criteria.

ARX Finance, founded in 1999, has a number of affiliates all over Eastern Europe, Australia and New Zealand.
The company is mainly engaged in providing the clients with selling and reselling services, auction support,
administrative support provision by the sellers all over the world aimed at sales facility potential growth.

The position available at this period is Administrative Assistant. It provides:

* 2,000-5,000 AUD per month (consisting of 7% commission in financial operations)
* engagement 10-15 hours per week
* new experience and career opportunities
* 0 initial investment required

Requirements :

* Being attentive to company's information and instructions
* Honesty and responsibility
* fluent English
* age 21 or older
* legal status of a resident in the territory of the USA/Australia/New Zealand/EU.

Feel free to e-mail us for more information(please attach your resume):

annabellemcspirit168318@yahoo.co.uk
celestesidle990389@yahoo.co.uk
patricabracewell144681@yahoo.co.uk
jillfane932438@yahoo.co.uk


We will be glad to answer all your questions.


Monday, May 26, 2008

ROBERTS AND SONS TEXTILES INDUSTRY LTD

A search on one of the associated phone numbers shows that this particular scam has been advertised under many different names, but all seem to end in "Textiles Industry Ltd". The "Textiles" cover story is inordinately popular with these scammers: do a search in my archives for that term, and see what I mean. It appears that this particular scam is targeting the USA, and the scam in question involves banking forged checks and forwarding money via Western Union or Money Gram.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: SEAN ROBERTS <sean.roberts88@gmail.com>
Date: 2008/5/24 UTC
Subject: YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN THIS
To: [7 addresses redacted] ideceive@gmail.com, [2 addresses redacted]


ROBERTS AND SONS TEXTILES INDUSTRY LTD
10 Newport avenue, Scoff ford Area, Oxford,
L349HA, 44(0)871-720-1958,44(0)7024067042

 PART-TIME JOB OPPORTUNITY

My Name is Sean Roberts, I am a Texan Working in London, I want to know if You would like to work online from home and get paid without affecting your present job? Actually i need a representative who can be working for our company as online book-keeper. We make lots of supplies to some of our clients in the states for which i do come to the states to receive payment and have it cashed after i supply them raw materials.

Its always too expensive and stressful for me to come to the states and receive such payment twice in a month so i therefore decided to contact you. I am willing to pay you 10% for every payment received by you from our clients who makes payment through you.
 Please note you don't have to be a book keeper to apply for the job. Kindly
Get back to me as soon as possible if you are interested in this
Job offer with your

FIRST NAME......
LAST NAME.
ADDRESS.......
CITY.......
STATE....
ZIP CODE..
COUNTRY....
PHONE NUMBER (S).
GENDER......
AGE......
MARITAL STATUS...

ATTESTATION
According to how you have been briefed earlier by a qualified representative of this establishment. You are required and mandated to receive payment on behalf of the above mentioned firm. You are to deduct10% of all funds processed on a particular order and forward the balance payment via Western Union Money Transfer and MONEY GRAM
to any of "MILAND PHILIP " Group regional warehouses that will be
given to you later.

You will notify the company a week ahead if eventually you want to discontinue this job so as to terminate all payment coming your way to avoid conflict.
PLS SEND REPLY ASAP TO (sean.roberts 88@gmail.com)

Thanks God Bless
Roberts....

Thursday, May 22, 2008

MURCO PETROLIUM LTD

This is a scam, probably West African Advance Fee Fraud. If so, then the company and the job are fabrications -- lies told in order to trick victims into paying bogus fees. Clear indications that this is a scam include (a) the fact that it it spam, (b) the UK +4470 telephone number which can be forwarded anywhere in the world, (c) the extensive use of freemail addresses such as myway.com, and (d) the fact that it's a petroleum company -- my archives are littered with this exact same scam carried out under a whole bunch of different oil company names.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: richard moore <richardmoore@klikni.cz>
Date: 2008/5/20 UTC
Subject: Job Vacancy
To: richardmoore@klikni.cz


Job Vacancy

MURCO PETROLIUM LTD: Has immediate employment opportunities.We intends
to invite experienced Individuals/Expatriates or Consultancy firm who
is capable of rendering expertise services in various fields of
Engineering, Construction and Installation, NDT , Geology, Project
Management, Welding and Fabrication, Plant/Start-Up,Machine operators,
Service Technicians, Maintenance, Mechanical/Technical/Design
Engineering, Information Technology, Administrative,Commissioning and
Medical Experts.

ENTITLEMENT, BENEFITS AND PACKAGES:
. A very attractive net salary paid in US$, Sterling or Euros
quivalent depending on employee home country and currency preference
with annual salary review.
. Quality single or family housing accommodation in company community.
. Free medical/dental care in UNITED KINGDOM for employee.
. Excellent educational assistance benefits with family status employment.
. Paid airfares allowing full flexibility with holiday travel.
. Personal effects shipment and excess baggage allowances.
. Full access to some of the finest and social recreational facilities
in UNITED KINGDOM.
. Life Insurance and Paid vacation.
. Official vehicle/Maximum security in work environment and housing community.
. Applicants are to provide him/her self with visa processing
documents while the company help for getting the visa and all other
necessary travelling documents that will enable him/her to come over
to his job community (here) though one assurance we can prove is that
we can stand in favour of your name and appologise to the British
council in your area to assist you to make sure that visa and all the
travelling documents are issue to you smoothly.

JOB STATUS:
Full-Time and Half Time .
SALARY INDICATION:
One thousand six Hundred pounds and above depending upon experience
and field of specialization.Capable and Interested Individual are to
send resumes and details of experiences to:
Name: Mr. Pius Todd .
Office Telephone:+44 703 195 3704
E-mail: mrpiustodd@myway.com

Financial Times Business

This is one of the usual money mule scams where they send you bad money (forged cheques, fraudulent bank transfers) and ask you to send back good, unrecoverable money (usually Western Union or similar). "Financial Times Business" sounds like the name of a newspaper, but it's just something the scammers have made up, and any resemblance to any real company (or newspaper, for that matter) is probably coincidental. The concept of "Financial Times Business" seems to have been ripped off from FTBusiness.com, a website which appears to be perfectly legitimate. Scammers often impersonate reputable businesses in this manner. These scammers are using a range of HR-themed Gmail addresses, which is a modus operandi I've seen before (such as the Shamrock scam).

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: [redacted (false, random)]
Date: 2008/5/18 UTC
Subject: your successful career
To: [redacted (privacy)]


WELCOME TO FINANCIAL TIMES BUSINESS

We have a vacant position &#8220;Private client manager&#8221; in our team and will be glad to have you work with us.
This is part-time job (2-3 hours a day, except holidays) and the position provides support filling the transactions of our customers. This is a new kind of financial and banking services.
We deal exclusively with private clients with special requirements for high speed of receiving funds for their business .

Your work would be basic at first , yet thorough - you will make transfers for our clients to suit their needs.
Our mangers will assist you during the trial period and explain everything you will need to know.
We offer a competitive salary: for the first month you will get $ 2000 for your work, the next month your salary will be increased if you do your work responsible and on time.

Now you are only one step away from successful career.

Send us an e-mail to: ftimes.hr@gmail.com

with phone numbers and time to reach you, and we will contact you and answer all your questions.

Thank you in advance,
Kate Brennan
HR Manager

Thursday, May 15, 2008

WestPoint Finances


This is a typical money mule job involving receipt of fraudulent bank transfers and sending cash via Western Union or similar. I've received several of these, all using the sender name "Diana Finchett", but a range of falsified email addresses. They are requesting responses to various addresses in the domain "hr-westpointfinances.com", about which WHOIS reports the following.

   Domain Name: HR-WESTPOINTFINANCES.COM
   Registrar: BIZCN.COM, INC.
   Whois Server: whois.bizcn.com
   Referral URL: http://www.bizcn.com
   Name Server: NS1.DLLEM.COM
   Name Server: NS2.DLLEM.COM
   Updated Date: 08-may-2008
   Creation Date: 26-mar-2008
   Expiration Date: 26-mar-2009

Don't confuse this scam with any other legitimate business called "WestPoint". The scam is best recognised by the fact that they are recruiting people to launder money, rather than by the name.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Diana Finchett <[redacted (false)]>
Date: 2008/5/14 UTC
Subject: Team Member Required!
To: [redacted (privacy)]


Hello there,
Would you be interested in a home based job with a dynamic global company that may reward you with up to AUD 2, 500-3, 500 per month? No "envelope stuffing" nonsense, no start up charges, this is a straightforward offer.
No need to give up 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 your decency and willingness to earn. The job is transaction handling. The job is pretty simple and you won't need any special knowledge to start, though we do require that you are able to act on a very short notice. We pay decent salary AND commissions because we keep our customers happy with our swiftness.
And if you are looking for career there's a chance of becoming a part of our team in the future (based on your performance), team in which you will be truly respected and honestly rewarded - just think about this! We hope to hear from you soon.
Please e-mail back [various]@hr-westpointfinances.com and we will be glad to provide more information.
Thank you,

Diana Finchett Placement Manager
HR Administrative Operations and Support Department
WestPoint Finances Ltd.

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

CoolCarChip International

At a guess, this is a payment processing scam which involves cashing forged checks. On the other hand, it may be a payment processing scam which involves receiving fraudulent bank transfers. To clear this up, I've written to them requesting further information. If they write back with anything useful, I'll post a comment about it.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: [redacted (random, false)]
Date: 2008/5/12 UTC
Subject: Part-time job opportunity
To: [redacted (privacy)]


Job opportunity from CoolCarChip International

Job Location

USA

Company Location

Europe

Employment Type

Employee/Part-Time

Salary

$2,000.00/month
+ % BONUS system

 

Send your profile/resume/CV to this e-mail only: careers@coolcarchip.com

 

Hello. We would like to offer you this employment opportunity in CoolCarChip International company. This is a good chance for you to find the job you like. We have various positions all over US. If you satisfy all our requirements you are welcome to send us your resume/CV for our consideration. You will receive our motivated decision within 1-2 days. Hurry up, this job opportunity is limited.

Requirements and skills:

  1. Higher Education/College
  2. Sales/Management (desired but optional)
  3. Strong communicative skills
  4. MS Office installed (MS Word)
  5. U.S. citizenship
  6. Adult age

This is original e-mail letter from CoolCarChip Int. This is not any kind of: MLM, scam, spam. We will never ask you to provide any kind of investments.


Monday, May 12, 2008

UFG Finance

This is just another typical money mule scam, probably Russian (or close by), in which Australians are being targeted. In truth, the money sent to the "transfer manager" is stolen from other online bank accounts, and the process of forwarding it via Western Union is money laundering. If you have signed up, do not forward any money sent to you, but rather contact your bank and inform them that the transaction is suspicious.

   Domain Name: UFG-FINANCE.COM
   Registrar: DIRECTI INTERNET SOLUTIONS PVT. LTD. D/B/A PUBLICDOMAINREGISTRY.COM
   Whois Server: whois.PublicDomainRegistry.com
   Referral URL: http://www.PublicDomainRegistry.com
   Name Server: NS1.BIZHOSTING.RU
   Name Server: NS2.BIZHOSTING.RU
   Updated Date: 19-apr-2008
   Creation Date: 19-apr-2008
   Expiration Date: 19-apr-2009

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: UFG Finance <[redacted (random, false)]>
Date: 2008/5/11 (UTC)
Subject: Reperesentative job in Australia
To: [redacted (privacy)]


This email contains offer about remote work.
General requirements:
- 18-60 years old
- live in Australia or in another country from our site's country list
- cell phone
- bank account with any bank
- accuracy, responsibility and fast tasks execution
- 1-2 free hours per day
Description:
Our company is over 4 years on the electonic transfers market and we have developed own system of financial transaction for the Third World countries.
For all less-developed countries we recruit employees from forehanded countries such Australia.
The most perspective position is transfer's manager.
It is not important if you work or unemployed. The main thing is that you can visit your bank, Western Union brach or our Sidney's office during the working day.
Please register on our website. After all your information is checked, your personal manager will contact you to specify the kind of your work in your region.
About us:
UFG Finance was founded by Georgio Lacheni, Italian millionaire. He was the first person who announced to community that financial market can make the best profit in less-developed countries.
Fast Transfer System works since 2004 and more than 3 millions of transactions completed.
Our business is completely legal in international laws.
We can provide you with online access to our support site. You'll able to manage your account 24 hours per day just using your cell phone.
Info:
Sorry for any inconvience if you haven't required this email and it was detected as spam. Unfortunally, not all advertising companies on the internet use legal methods of advertising.

Best regards,
HR Department
UFG Finance
www.ufg-finance.com

Saturday, May 10, 2008

Brighter Future

This spam claims to be from a West African recruitment agency. Please bear in mind that West Africa is the world capital of Advance Fee Fraud, where you are conned into sending money for something that ultimately never materialises.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Brighter Future Consultants <brighterfuture@[info.com]> [probably false]
Reply-to: brighterfuture@dbzmail.com
Date: 2008/5/09
Subject: Manpower Recruitment
To: [many addresses redacted]


Dear Sir,

We are West African based Travel Consultant and a leading Recruitment Agent with extensive coverage in Southern African Countries.

At the requests of our Principals in Canada and U.S.A, we have several vacancies for overseas jobs available now both for skilled and unskilled labour.

The vacancies are for nationals of underlisted countries:

1. INDIA NATIONALS.
2. NEPAL NATIONALS.
3. SRI LANKA NATIONALS
4. BANGLADESH NATIONALS
5. INDONESIA NATIONALS

Our requests are as follows:

UNSKILLED LABOUR:

1.DOCK WORKERS
2.SHIP CLEANER'S
3.LORRY DRIVER'S
4.SHIP COOKS
5.SHIPMATE'S
6.COMPANY SECURITY
7.FORKLIFT/PLANT DRIVER'S/OPERATORS

SKILLED LABOUR:

1.SYSTEM ANALYST
2.NURSES
3.TICKETING/RESERVATION OFFICCER'S
4.TEACHERS
5.PHARMACISTS
6.MEDICAL DOCTORS

Vacancies are available for these categories of listed
worker's immediately in CANADA, U.S.A..

Our service/handling charge is moderate and negotiable for getting the visa and all other necessary travelling document's for the candidate's including accomodation and transportion up till destination.

In case your company is interested in any of the vacancies mentioned above, pls. do not hesitate to contact us.

We look forward to been of services to you.

Regards,


Tommmy Martins
Tel.:+229 9506 2202/9722 1946

Friday, May 09, 2008

Gerry Bristol

Although it's not made obvious by the sales pitch, I'm willing to bet that this job scam is a money mule scam in which the employee receives direct bank transfer payments (from compromised Internet banking accounts) and is asked to forward them by Western Union (or similar). That seems to be the only kind of job scam ever targeted specifically at Australians.

   Domain Name: GERRYBRISTOLINC.COM
   Registrar: THE REGISTRY AT INFO AVENUE D/B/A IA REGISTRY
   Whois Server: whois.iaregistry.com
   Referral URL: http://www.iaregistry.com
   Name Server: NS1.TOOLNS.COM
   Name Server: NS2.TOOLNS.COM
   Updated Date: 07-may-2008
   Creation Date: 07-may-2008
   Expiration Date: 07-may-2009

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Gerry Bristol <[redacted (random, false)]>
Date: 2008/5/10
Subject: Reperesentative job in Australia
To: [redacted (privacy)]


Hello.
My name is Gerry Bristol, I represent Gerry Bristol Inc company. We need representatives in Australia for full and part-time jobs (2 positions are available). We do not ask for any money, we are reputable company operating in Sweden and Finland.
You will get:
- 5000 USD guaranteed monthly income
- Comprehensive medical and life insurance for you and your dependents. You will be receiving company Medicine card and all the paperwork in 2 weeks after successfully completing your probation period. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:
You have to be honest,loyal, responsible and hard-working.
You need 5-7 hours during the week for communication.
Residential address to receive correspondence (if any).
Computer with internet connection.
Please, reply to support@gerrybristolinc.com if you are interested and I will send you job details.
Thanks
Gerry Bristol
Gerry Bristol Inc
12 brivas str B 44,, FI-00530 Helsinki, Finland
+358 9 1748722 PLEASE, REPLY TO: support@gerrybristolinc.com

Thursday, May 08, 2008

McMorris Scan Tech

This particular job ad looks like bait for an advance fee fraud scam. In such scams, applicants are readily offered jobs, or at least job interviews, but there are certain fees to be paid up front, such as visa fees. The point of the scam is to extract these payments on the pretext of a job offer. The job does not exist, and the scammer has no connection to the alleged company offering it, assuming that the company isn't a complete fiction in the first place. In this case, the company appears to be fictitious, and there is a facade website (not mentioned in the spam) operating under this name to give it an air of legitimacy. A modest amount of effort has been put into the facade, primarily by plagiarising material from BP. (As evidence, see this Google search, and try searching on other key phrases. BP spouted most of those corporate platitudes first.)

   Domain Name: MCMORRIS-SCANTECH.NET
   Registrar: AUSTRALIAN STYLE PTY LTD
   Whois Server: whois.australianstyle.com.au
   Referral URL: http://www.australianstyle.com.au
   Name Server: DNS1.DOMAINCENTRAL.NET.AU
   Name Server: DNS2.DOMAINCENTRAL.NET.AU
   Updated Date: 18-apr-2008
   Creation Date: 18-feb-2008
   Expiration Date: 18-feb-2010

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Scan TechOil/Gas Company <info@[scantechoil.co.uk]> [this domain does not exist at the time of writing]
Reply-to: mcmorrisscantech.oilgascompany@gmail.com
Date: 2008/5/8
Subject: NOW HIRING
To: undisclosed-recipients


NOW HIRING

REALISE YOUR DREAM CAREER, WORK WITH ONE OF THE
LEADING LIGHTS IN THE INDUSTRY.

WHO WE ARE:
McMorris Scan Tech incorporated is a global oil exploration company
with over a decade experience in the oil/gas industry.

OUR Profile:
We are key player in the global oil and gas industry. The
extension of our operations and the need for improved
operational efficiency has created new job openings for dynamic,
intelligent and resourceful persons to join the company.

OUR CANDIDATES:
We are seeking to recruit people with a diverse range
of skills, strong professional competence and creative
self-confidence regardless of tribe,location,gender or disabilities.

Our corporate culture creates these possibilities for
skilled, creative individuals who, as part of a strong value-driven
team will help to achieve outstanding business goals.

YOUR SERVICES
We are in need of exceptional professional services in the following
specialized areas: Engineering, Medicine, Business Management and
Social Sciences, Sciences and Environmental Studies.

HOW TO APPLY
Interested Individuals should forward their applications and updated
resume (CV) within two weeks of this publication to: Head, Staffing
Service Division,McMorris Scan Tech at:
mcmorrisscantech.oilgascompany@gmail.com

NOTE: Only qualified candidates will be contacted.

Wednesday, May 07, 2008

Green Tree

This is a typical money mule scam, using a style that I have seen before but am presently too busy to hunt down to a specific entry in my archives. Performing money transfers for unknown parties -- especially those located overseas -- is never a good idea. There may be other domain names in use for this scam, similar to the one documented below. There may also be unrelated and perfectly legitimate businesses using the name "Green Tree" -- please do your own due diligence.

   Domain Name: GRNTWR.COM <-- scam
   Registrar: THE REGISTRY AT INFO AVENUE D/B/A IA REGISTRY
   Whois Server: whois.iaregistry.com
   Referral URL: http://www.iaregistry.com
   Name Server: NS1.NETIPM.COM
   Name Server: NS2.NETIPM.COM
   Updated Date: 05-may-2008
   Creation Date: 30-apr-2008
   Expiration Date: 30-apr-2009

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Green Tree Ltd. <[redacted (random, false)]>
Date: 2008/5/7
Subject: a great opportunity to gain valuable experience whilst earning at the same time.
To: [redacted (privacy)]


Dear Sir/Madam,

Your resume has been furnished to our company by www.monster.com web-site as one of the best-qualified job-seekers for a position offered.

Our company - Green Tree (Warehousing) Ltd., as a Third Party Logistics provider (3PL), works closely with major Blue Chip Companies & SME's, providing mainstream warehousing and materials handling operations, innovative Supply Chain Solutions, Contract Packing and Distribution. We work closely with ou customers to deliver a flexible package that meets their requirements, and place emphasis on value-adding services of proven quality. Business expertise and a high level of diversity gained over 45 years combine to make "Green Tree" an attractive outsourced solution and versatile business partner.

We are currently looking to recruit a Regional Financial Coordinator to manage payments from the customers based within the limits of his country. You will be our financial intermediary in your local area and will be responsible to remit customer payments for the ordered warehousing or shipping to facilitate and fasten payment receipt at the headquarters of the company. This is a brand new part-time position and has been created to improve supply chain performance for the company as we move into a period of substantial expansion where we will double our current turnover.

The role includes dealing with 2-3 customer payments a week; reviewing the balance of the bank account, where the payment is supposed to be debited to; ensuring precise settlements regarding each payment; transmitting the payments to the Headquarters and subsidiaries of the company by means of instant Western Union payment system and providing regular feedback and reports to the Headquarters Office Manager and Supervisor.

It is essential that the candidate promotes positive/can do attitude and discharges his duties urgently, has literate communicational and PC-user skills to interact with other team members and make external contacts related to the job nature.
Successful applicants will need to have a bank account to be used for the customer payments to be debited to, be energetic, enthusiastic and naturally ambitious. This is very much seen as a career progression role that could lead to a management position, so if you are willing to work 1-2 hours a day and be paid on an interest basis (net 10% out of each customer payment you have dealt with) you are welcome to apply now.
So if you are looking for a "career of your life" and would like to find out more about the job specification please visit our web-site at http://grntwr.com

Yours faithfully, Gloria Blackman

[large amounts of white-on-white text redacted]

Saturday, May 03, 2008

Hollywood Sales Group

This is an old money mule scam under a new name. The last time I reported on it, they were calling themselves "Cama Sales and Distribution Group". I've probably neglected to document a couple of name changes between then and now, though. The scammers are using a bunch of different Gmail addresses as contact points.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Jane Frederick <[redacted (random)]>
Date: 2 May 2008 XX:XX UTC
Subject: Tired of Your Current Job? We can Help! Money.
To: [redacted (privacy)]

Greetings! Please Take couple minutes and discover for yourself this amazing opportunity from successful company from Italy!

We simply are the best. If you're receiving dozens of offers similar kind, we can assure you that we are the best, we will provide you with excellent help/assistance, and you will make more money than with any other company!

Spending few hours a day Monday-Friday you will be able to make 1100+ AUD, not bad ha? And it's real! It is all based on a taxation loop between countries, that let's you make money and help us out at the same time.

Everything is simple, receive full information, read about it, see how it works, then consider if you are ready to take on this challenge and start making money.

Position called - "Fund Operator" brought to you via paid Ads by Google, from Italian company - Hollywood Sales Group©.

It can be your everyday job as well as the extra income, either one, you will simply love it!

Requirements:

18+ Years Old.
2 Hours a day, Monday-Friday. You must have a mobile/home number we reach you with(just in case, we promise we not going to bother you for no reason).
You are responsible and able to check your e-mail 4-5 times a day*
You are located in Australia*

Pluses:

No school degree required*
No past experience required*


It is a convenient, safe, and best position available today! We are pretty sure you need this. And just by looking it this reference you can consider yourself:

"Hollywood Inc., Italy introducing perfect opportunity for students and single moms" - "From The Past to the Future" / Pitt Aleski. (Australia)
"Most convenient today's online position" - "Perfect Answers with Melinda" / Melinda Ross. (Australia)
"Employment is getting on new level" - "Behind the Rumors" / John W. Troy (Magazine Director/Promoter). (New Zealand)


If you meet all requirements - feel free to receive full information on this great position and start making money within 24 hours!

In order to receive full info, reply to:  hwood.information@gmail.com

with subject "Interested" or anything else to let us know you are interested, and one of our representatives will assist you shortly with full information/position description.

Good Luck and we appreciate you took your precious time reading our offer!