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.

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Private Company Seeking (In-Home) Admin Assistants

This is a curious one. It's very clearly a well organised fraud, but I'm not sure how it works. The scammers want the victim to have a credit card (to receive funds from the company to purchase items), but it's not clear exactly how one is going to receive funds that way. I doubt that they're simply fishing for credit card numbers, although that's a possibility. If anyone has become involved in this scam, (a) get out of it -- quickly, and (b) tell us what happened.

This spam was sent to multiple spamtrap addresses under my control (either directly or indirectly). Each came "from" a random address with reply-to set to the same address. The originating IP addresses varied widely, suggesting that it was sent using a botnet. Several different email addresses were used (in the body of the message) as reply addresses, and they were all improperly encoded as HTTP links instead of email addresses.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: [redacted (false, random)]
Date: 2009/5/2 UTC
Subject: Looking For Admin Assistants
To: [redacted (false, random)]


Private Company Seeking (In-Home) Admin Assistants

We are a private international company seeking a limited number of representatives to assist our company with the task of bettering the World's Global Economy. The representative will be apart of the process of making life better around the world.

Duties

The assistant will obtain technology-based items from local retail locations in their area. The assistant will also be shipping these technology-based items to 3rd World Countries around the world that are in need of this advancement for the betterment of their economy. The funds needed to purchase these items will be provided to the assistant before purchase. The assistant will not incur any out of pocket expenses whatsoever.

Compensation

The assistant will be paid no less than $2,000 per month. This amount is guaranteed by the company. In most cases the assistant has the ability to make over this amount each month. We are primarily an Online Company, much like Google. For this reason all assistants employed to the company will work out of their home or home office. This means those applying for this position should be highly responsible and dedicated.

Requirements

Must be 18 years or older (21 years and older preferred)
Must reside within the United States
Must have a credit score of 600 or higher (studies have shown that a descent credit score is related to a good employee)
Must have a credit card or credit cards (to receive funds from the company to purchase items)
Must have computer with internet access
Must have local transportation
Must have a cell phone or home phone

More Information

Respond with your Full Name, Address, Phone Number, and Email Address.


Please reply ONLY to our e-mail: stevearnold@HotPOP.com

Please do not reply or apply for this position if you are not seriously interested.

If you do not have a Credit Card to receive funds from the Company DO NOT REPLY. You will not be considered for EMPLOYMENT.

Best Regards,
Employment Assistance


1 comment:

Anonymous said...

This is something similar that I received on my email.

Potential Applicant,

Our Human Resource Department has encountered your contact details for potential employment consideration. The position available with our Company is an administrative position allowing employees to work out of their home or home office. This Online Vacancy pays the employee a salary of USD2,000 per month. After a period of no less than 1 year employees will be eligible for advancement to open staff positions.

Can You: Work 3 - 5 hours Each Week? Afford an extra USD2,000 Monthly? Submit Daily Updates Via Email? Visit The Post Office Twice Weekly? Purchase Items at Your Local Store? Complete Online Training Courses?

Company Background: Our Company specializes in the rehabilitation and nourishment of Global Economies worldwide. We develop and implement solutions that have an overall positive affect on Global Economy.

Job Function: The Online Manager�s basic duties will be to purchase necessary items for the Company in their local area. The manager will then ship the items to a domestic shipping agent within the United States. The agent will never incur any out of pocket cost or expense. Any and all funds to fulfill duties will be provided to the manager in advance.

Requirements: 21 years and older, Reside within the United States, Credit Score of 600 or higher, Computer with Internet Access, Local transportation, and Cell Phone or Home Phone. If you currently work full time or part time you can still apply for this job. We can adjust to your current work or college school schedule. Candidates must have a credit card(s) to receive funds from the finance department for purchasing items.

Compensation & Benefits: Agreed USD2,000 monthly salary, full health & dental (after 6 month trial period), 1-month paid vacation each year, and Company provided life insurance.

How to Apply: Vacancy is limited. Interested applicants should respond now. Respond (email: kuskeysyqefah1486@gmail.com ) with your full name, address, contact number, and the reason why you think you would be a great candidate for this position. A member of management will then contact you with more information. It is very important that you respond with all ofthe above information or you may not be considered for employment.

Important Notice: We are proud to be among the Companies who operate their business affairs Online. We invite you to share the experience of how employment will be for nearly all jobs in the future.

Please note this is a legitimate offer for employment. Do not reply if you are not seriously ready to begin working immediately. We use an Employment Agency to prevent SPAM and non interesting offers for employment. Company details will be provided after your interest is confirmed.

--
Kind Regards,
Sheila Howard
Career Services