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.

Monday, May 04, 2009

Europe Consult

This offer pretends to be from careerbuilder, and some of the associated text is boilerplate used by the Gallup Organisation in their job ads. The scam itself appears to be a reshipper scam: fraudsters who purchase items using stolen credit cards need local people to receive the goods so that the merchants don't get too suspicious. Of course, when the fraud is discovered, the reshipper comes under sudden intense scrutiny from law enforcement, which can be rather unpleasant.

This scam has not been widely reported: a relevant search only finds one independent report. I'm not sure whether this means that it hasn't been widely circulated, or whether these scammers are VERY good at staying below the radar of most scam reporters.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: [redacted] <[redacted (unverifiable)]>
Date: 2009/4/7
Subject: Fresh job.
To: [redacted (privacy)]


A Job for You!

We thought you would be interested in this job:

Job Information

Job Title: Correspondence manager Req'd Education: Not Specified
Company: Europe Consult Req'd Experience: Not Specified
Job Location: Europe/U.S. Base Pay: 21,600/year
Employee Type: Part-Time/Home-Based Bonus: Yes
Apply Now
Please send your Resume to e-mail: europebusinessconsult@gmail.com and it will be redirected to HR Department.

We are different from most consulting firms. While other firms provide services in traditional disciplines like cost reduction, building or re-engineering processes and systems, or mergers and acquisitions, we help companies drive true organic growth - revenue and profit increase from continuing operations.

Our consultants are trusted advisors to many of the world's leading companies. This approach enables us to identify, develop, and implement solutions that align with our clients' visions and strategies.

We are looking for people who can control the correspondece.
The responsibilities of work included accepting and sending parcels, checking goods, compiling monthly reports, sending documents on each parcel.

Job Requirements

As a Correspondence manager, you are responsible for all aspects of operation, including customer relations, team management and team recognition/retention

We offer you confidentially as you conduct a search to meet your career goals and we can help you to understand and communicate what makes you stand out in a crowd.

My role is to find the best candidates to meet the needs of my clients. You could be just the person I'm looking for.

This position requires someone with:

  • well developed analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills
  • strong operational background and knowledge
  • exceptional people skills
  • problem solving skills
  • top notch communication and writing skills
  • drive to be the best
  • Apply Now

    Correspondence manager

    Please send your Resume to e-mail: europebusinessconsult@gmail.com and it will be redirected to HR Department.

    Please do not reply to this email. This is an automated email. If you reply, it cannot be read.


    17 comments:

    Anonymous said...

    Dear Rick Lippincott,

    Europeconsult is hiring for the position of Package coordinator!
    IPS stands for "Europeconsult" and it is part of the TCS Micro Limited group. We are ideally positioned between London Heathrow airport and the Port of Dover.
    We have many years of experience shipping individual parcels, documents and large consignments and have become proud partners with DHL. Europeconsult gives fast dependable services, with class leading convenience and reliability, at really low prices.

    As an Package coordinator, you will be working from home, as an independent contractor. We expect our Package coordinators to perform the following activities:

    - Providing our customers with the highest level of customer support service possible;
    - Responding to customers’ requests and needs in a timely manner;
    - Overseeing and verifying customers’ package sending procedures;
    - Keeping records on the processed packages and mail
    - Assisting in completing project tasks by gathering the most detailed information from customers and manufacturers

    Your typical daily routines will include:

    - working with a remote helpdesk (it helps to schedule your daily activities, contact other team members, download and share project documentation and other materials);
    - answer customer emails and calls

    Salary and benefits:
    - $40000 yearly (paid in parts, every two weeks).
    - Flexible bonus system (It depends on the value and urgency of each task)
    - Bonuses are paid instantly.
    - The number of packages and supply orders that you can take each month depends only on your multitasking and time-management skills.
    - Working hours: 9AM – 4PM Mon - Fri

    You can find additional information about Europeconsult at our corporate website. In order to apply for this position, please email us a copy of your most recent resume.

    Please don’t hesitate to contact our HR department for questions about this opportunity or reply directly to this message. We will review the submitted information and contact you in 1-2 business days to inform about the status of your application. Selected candidates will be invited for the phone interview. Please include your resume in reply.

    Michael Cray,
    Europeconsult Human Resources dpt.

    Here is another example that I received today. Rick

    Jerry Kauffman said...

    I received this today Aug 17, 2010.

    Dear John Smith,

    Europeconsult is hiring for the position of Package coordinator!
    IPS stands for "Europeconsult" and it is part of the TCS Micro Limited group. We are ideally positioned between London Heathrow airport and the Port of Dover.
    We have many years of experience shipping individual parcels, documents and large consignments and have become proud partners with DHL. Europeconsult gives fast dependable services, with class leading convenience and reliability, at really low prices.

    As an Package coordinator, you will be working from home, as an independent contractor. We expect our Package coordinators to perform the following activities:

    - Providing our customers with the highest level of customer support service possible;
    - Responding to customers’ requests and needs in a timely manner;
    - Overseeing and verifying customers’ package sending procedures;
    - Keeping records on the processed packages and mail
    - Assisting in completing project tasks by gathering the most detailed information from customers and manufacturers

    Your typical daily routines will include:

    - working with a remote helpdesk (it helps to schedule your daily activities, contact other team members, download and share project documentation and other materials);
    - answer customer emails and calls

    Salary and benefits:
    - $40000 yearly (paid in parts, every two weeks).
    - Flexible bonus system (It depends on the value and urgency of each task)
    - Bonuses are paid instantly.
    - The number of packages and supply orders that you can take each month depends only on your multitasking and time-management skills.
    - Working hours: 9AM – 4PM Mon - Fri

    You can find additional information about Europeconsult at our corporate website. In order to apply for this position, please email us a copy of your most recent resume.

    Please don’t hesitate to contact our HR department for questions about this opportunity or reply directly to this message. We will review the submitted information and contact you in 1-2 business days to inform about the status of your application. Selected candidates will be invited for the phone interview. Please include your resume in reply.

    Michael Cray,
    Europeconsult Human Resources dpt.

    Unknown said...

    So glad to find this Blog, I have been job searching for a year and just received this email:
    john hazelton
    to mikemitchell330

    show details 10:08 AM (1 hour ago)

    Hello,

    UK Translogic is hiring for the vacancy of Package coordinator! IPS stands for "UK Translogic " and it is part of the TCS Micro Limited group.

    As an Package coordinator, you will be working from home, as an independent contractor. We expect our Package coordinators to verifying customers’ package sending procedures.
    Salary - $40000 every year, paid in parts, every month.

    If you want to know more information about this post, please reply on this email uk_transportation@yahoo.com. We will contact you in 1-2 business days.

    Artur Crown, UK Translogic Human Resources dpt.

    I knew it was a scam, being raised by a cop taught me not be a "sucker". So my question is. WHo do I report it too?

    Unknown said...

    Got the same email today as everyone is posting, the problem is that no authorities seem to care about catching the scammers. It would be easy to set up a cop to pose as a sucker but it doesn't seem to be a priority. I worked with a woman that was scammed out of a couple thousand dollars, and after the fact the authorities didn't seem to much care either. So I can understand why the problem seems to be everywhere and the best advise is just sucker beware.

    Unknown said...

    Hey everyone,

    I just received this email also :
    Interesting job offer with part-time work day. My other collegues from work are also copied to this email.

    Would you like an exiting job in an International Company?
    The right candidate can look forward to a very interesting job with an international outlook.

    As Admin. Manager you will play an important role, and you will be responsible for the interact with our clients in your area.
    You will also have contact to many parts in our organization, as well as solving different organizational and administrative questions.

    Be a part of an exiting International Company.
    In this short period of time, the company has achieved considerable success, and is recognized as a company who is
    pleasant to work with and a company that always includes the highest quality.

    We are recognized as a good employer and open to new innovative ideas and think that limits should be challenged.

    Your Challenges and Tasks.
    Your primary responsibilities will be to organize client related activities and interact with clients during daily routines,
    establish contacts and organize meetings and visits from time to time.

    You also have to collaborate with collegues in our organization,
    and occasionally collaborate with external partners of the company in order to effectively compete in todays economy.

    Your professional and personal competence.

    We imagine that you have:
    - strong communications skills (mandatory)
    - possess a innovative personal attitude
    - is a team player and a good college
    - fluent in English
    - is a good worker with a positive attitude

    Please send your application to: Issac@europ-consult.com

    Anonymous said...

    Got sent a job ad today via email "Top 10 vacancies for 2011".

    It was a foreign owned company looking for an adminstrative representativve to assist in the day to day co-operation to the customers. Part-time 1-3 hours a week work for 3,800euro per month......+ bonus...... Need I say anymore,got suspicous and googled company name.......so here we are. Glad of the re-assurance, you wonder why they arent caught, surely some techie somewhere can track them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Anon1 said...

    received today

    Translogic is hiring for the position of Package coordinator! Translogic gives fast dependable services, with class leading convenience and reliability, at really low prices.

    As an Package coordinator, you will be working from home, as an independent contractor.
    Your typical every day routines will include:
    - working with a remote helpdesk it helps to schedule your daily activities;
    - answer customer emails and calls

    Payment and benefits:
    -$40000 yearly paid in parts, every month
    -Flexible bonus system It depends on the value and urgency of each task

    If you are interested in this position and would like to know more detailed information,
    please, email us to HResources_translogic@yahoo.com .In the letter, you should mention your contact
    information to reach you.

    Mark Campbell,
    Translogic Human Resources dpt.


    Companies with a Yahoo, or Hotmail email address fill me with confidence.

    Anonymous said...

    yea, got the same thing sent to me from Mark Campbell/ UK Translogic. I've sent him a message correspondence after receiving his job description that was "general" to say the least and sounded tooooo good to be true. Let him know that I needed to earn extra income but did not particpate in ANY illegal activity and ask him what was his products that I'd be shipping/reshipping. He responded to the illegal part, "of course" and said the products were "everyday life products like; laptops, clothes, houseware, etc". Thank god I found this blog. I did play him on with a message that said, we're almost ready for employment, but need your companies web address that you invited me to check out in a former correspondance, but didn't state that address. (how convient, now I know why). Just a little bit more information I can play out of him and I'm going to the local detectives and purse prosecution! If they do not satisfy me, I'm going to the attorney general's office! For all of us law abiding citizens that want to earn a honest living....Don't F*** with us! This aient funny, we're serious, I play to speak out for all of us!!

    Anonymous said...

    Glad that I found this website to find that out that I rec'd the following scam email that is identical to other comments:

    United Kingdom TS is hiring for the post of Package coordinator! IPS stands for " United Kingdom TS " and it is part of the TCS Micro Limited group.

    As an Package coordinator, you will be working from home, as an independent contractor. We expect our Package coordinators to perform the following activities:
    - Responding to clients' requests and needs in a timely manner;
    - Overseeing and verifying clients' package sending procedures;
    - Keeping notes on the processed packages and mail.

    Your typical every day routines will include reply client emails and calls, 9AM – 4PM Mon - Fri

    $40000 yearly - paid in parts, every month!

    You can find additional information about United Kingdom TS at our corporate website. In order to apply for this vacancy, please email us at united-kingdom-ts-hr@amer-xprs.com . We will review the submitted information and contact you in 1-3 business days to inform about the status of your application.

    Robert Savela,
    United Kingdom TS Human Resources dpt.

    Anonymous said...

    I got this today

    United Kingdom TS is looking for the position of Package coordinator! IPS stands for " United Kingdom TS " and it is part of the TCS Micro Limited group.

    As an Package coordinator, you will be working from your home place, as an independent contractor. We expect our Package coordinators to perform the following activities:
    - Responding to customers’ requests and needs in a timely manner;
    - Overseeing and verifying clients' package sending procedures;
    - Keeping records on the processed packages and mail.

    Your typical every day routines will include reply customer emails and calls, 9AM – 4PM Mon - Fri

    $40000 yearly - paid in parts, every month!

    You can find additional information about United Kingdom TS at our corporate website. In order to apply for this vacancy, please email us at united-kingdom-ts-hr@amer-xprs.com . We will review the submitted information and contact you in 1-3 business days to inform about the status of your application.

    Robert Savela,
    United Kingdom TS Human Resources dpt.

    Judy said...

    I received the following email but they but used addressed it to someone else:

    United Kingdom TS is looking for the position of Package coordinator! IPS stands for " United Kingdom TS " and it is part of the TCS Micro Limited group.

    As an Package coordinator, you will be working from your home place, as an independent contractor. We expect our Package coordinators to perform the following activities:
    - Responding to clients' requests and needs in a timely manner;
    - Overseeing and verifying clients' package sending procedures;
    - Keeping notes on the processed packages and mail.

    Your typical daily routines will include reply client emails and calls, 9AM – 4PM Mon - Fri

    $40000 yearly - paid in parts, monthly!

    You can find more information about United Kingdom TS at our corporate website. In order to apply for this position, please email us at united-kingdom-ts-hr@amer-xprs.com . We will review the submitted information and reach you in 1-3 business days to inform about the status of your application.

    Robert Savela,
    United Kingdom TS Human Resources dpt.

    kjfisc said...

    Sent February 3, 2011. Crap.

    Dear k********.,

    We have received your resume and we are happy to inform you are acceptable for a Correspondence Manager job. You can find additional information about your salary, work schedule and duties in the attached file.

    To register:

    Read the job specifications and descriptions. If you have any questions – ask me or write a reply with your confirmation.
    I will send you the employee’s Registration form and Labor Agreement. You should fill it in correctly, sign it and send it back.
    Send a scanned image of your Driver’s License or your Passport for your identification.

    The procedure is simple and will not take more than 2 days.

    Note:
    You can easily find additional information on our website or feel free to ask any questions about your duties and salary.

    Right now we are at the very start of the process.
    Read the job specifications and descriptions. If you have any questions – ask me or write a reply with your confirmation

    I am here to help you and I will do my best to help you get along with this.
    If you are willing to work, read contract and follow the instructions.

    Best regards,
    Mark Gakic.

    UK Trans Logic
    URL: http://www.uktranslogic.eu
    TEL : (305) 851-3395
    MAIL : markgakic@uktranslogic.eu

    Colonel Blink said...

    The scam is changing slightly. I got this. I have removed my email address.

    Subject: Market promotion and consultation company looking for local liason

    Countries of interest: Countries of interest: UK, Rep. of Ireland, Germany, Austria, Sweden

    Our company deals with producing and advertising of web media projects in addition to acting as consultants for green advancements, recyclables
    and power source alternatives.

    We're seeking out people who are self-starters and have high energy willing to be representatives to us in the countries we stated above.

    Requirements:

    - You need to own a company and have power of attorney of that company or be able to start a new company soon.
    - You need to hold the status of citizen from one of the countries we stated above.
    - You need to have a degree from an accredited higher level institution.
    - Ninety-percent understanding of the English language for proper back and forth communication.
    - Solid background with financial entities from your region is a definite bonus.
    - Amount of work consists of 3-4 hours each day during the first 2 months and 2-3 hours each day afterward.
    - Period of utilization of rep will be one year at the minimum, with possibilities of period being extended to two years.

    The majority of the job entails handling materials from us.

    The more we sell, the more you make as compensation from us is based on commission.

    Our contact: Alice@europ-consult.com,Thank You!

    Anonymous said...

    Scam designed for idiots. Any legit company advertising in the UK will not be stupid enough to quote income in dollars. Also it is extremely difficult to run a company in the UK without it being officially registered somewhere. Small piece of research saves lots of tears.

    Soon be time to get heavy with the companies that allow and actively encourage this type of scammer. They all use garbage mail transport companies such as Hotspam and yohoo crapmail etc and these companies are all contactable as are members of their senior management. Good way to go. If you are a UK resident and fed up with US originated spam just forward copies to the US Embassy times 100 in each case and formally request that they deal with the growing problem.

    Matt- Reading Berks UK said...

    Countries of interest: Countries of interest: UK, Rep. of Ireland, Germany, Austria, Sweden

    Our company deals with producing and advertising of web media projects in addition to acting as consultants for green advancements, recyclables and power source alternatives.

    We're seeking out people who are self-starters and have high energy willing to be representatives to us in the countries we stated above.

    Requirements:

    - You need to own a company and have power of attorney of that company or be able to start a new company soon.
    - You need to hold the status of citizen from one of the countries we stated above.
    - You need to have a degree from an accredited higher level institution.
    - Ninety-percent understanding of the English language for proper back and forth communication.
    - Solid background with financial entities from your region is a definite bonus.
    - Amount of work consists of 3-4 hours each day during the first 2 months and 2-3 hours each day afterward.
    - Period of utilization of rep will be one year at the minimum, with possibilities of period being extended to two years.

    The majority of the job entails handling materials from us.

    The more we sell, the more you make as compensation from us is based on commission.

    Our contact: Kerry@europ-consult.com,Thank You!

    Anonymous said...

    Over the last week or so this "company" seems to have hijacked my e-mail account to send these messages. I have changed my password to a more complex one, so this avenue should cease - for the time being.
    If you check where the message is actually coming from and it does not look as if corresponds maybe there should be a way of informing them that their accounts are being used.

    Anonymous said...

    Received this email the other day:

    Hello,

    We are different from most consulting firms . While other firms provide services in traditional
    disciplines like cost reduction, building or re-engineering processes and systems, or mergers and acquisitions,
    we help firms go true organic growth - income and earnings growth from lasting operation.

    Main Duties:

    We are searching for people who can control the correspondence .
    The responsibilities of work included accepting and sending packages , checking products ,
    compiling monthly reports, sending documents on each package.

    Requirements :

    - 21+ y.o.|21+ years old
    - Must have good customer service skills
    - Must be a team player and able to work well minimum monitoring, Valid Driver's license with clean driving record
    - Diploma High School or equivalent
    - Must be able to lift at least 31lbs
    - Good skills and confidence in using Microsoft office including Excel, Word, Outlook and PowerPoint, email and Internet;

    Work Time & Compensation:

    Job Type: Part-Time/Home-Based
    Employee Type: The first month - bonuses
    Subsequent months, the fixed salary 2155$ + bonuses.

    -
    Thank you!
    Christopher Lynch