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.

Friday, June 21, 2013

Regional Logistics Manager at Quick Auction

Hi, everyone. It's been years since I've posted anything new here, because there's been nothing new and interesting to report -- just more of the same old same old. Today, however, I happened across something I haven't seen before. In one sense, it's just another run-of-the-mill job scam, but this time we get a special behind-the-scenes peek at how job scammer spam works, and I think that's worth sharing.

So, while doing a little research for someone who sent in an inquiry about a job offer from "Quick Auction Group", my Google search struck gold. This particular spammer is using a compromised third-party website as his spamming platform -- a popular choice these days -- but this one is indexed by Google, which usually doesn't happen. As a result, I found the template file that is being used to generate this particular spam.

When you're a spammer, one of the problems that you face is that it's easy to detect spam when you send out millions of copies of exactly the same message. Spammers don't want to be easy to detect, so they need to make each message as different as possible, while still being similar enough that it makes no difference to the people who receive it. One way they do this is by the use of randomised templates.

A randomised template is a file that contains all the information which is to go into the email, but parts of it are alternative phrases enclosed in brackets and separated by vertical bars. When the email-generator encounters these constructs, it picks one phrase at random from the group. Thus, if the template contains the text, "See you next (Monday|Tuesday|Wednesday|Thursday|Friday), spammer!", the email-generator might produce the phrase, "See you next Tuesday, spammer!" as its output -- or it might choose some other day of the week.

Given enough alternative phrases of this sort, each email can be more-or-less unique, while being more-or-less the same as every other email in all the important details. This technique also makes it much harder to search for key phrases in the email, since there's no guarantee that any particular phrase is fixed rather than random. Or it would make it much harder to search for key phrases if it weren't for the fact that these hapless crooks left their whole template in a location which is indexed by Google.

In any case, without further ado, here is what a job scammer template looks like, given the particular template system that this one uses. Note that they've put a lot of effort into making the email "subject" header variable. Nearly half the template is dedicated to variations on that one part!


Array
(
    [id] => 51c37dc004a07
    [key] => 123
    [from] => sales_masters@hiringdpt.net
quickauction@careermailhost.in
sm_hr@northstaffing.com
regional_manager@mailtransit.biz
quickauction@solorecruiters.org
employment@sslmailpoint.net
    [subjects] => (Fresh|New|Latest|Current|Brand new) (job|work|vacancy|position|opening|job offer|offer|employment offer|employment|post).
(Explore|Investigate|Examine|Consider|Study) (career|profession|employment) (opportunities|occasions|openings|options|possibilities).
(Find|Get|Obtain) New (employment|job|work|position|place|post).
(Find|Get|Obtain) new (work|position|employment|job|place|post).
(Job|Work|Employment) (opportunity|offer|option|possibility).
(Job|Work|Employment) (opening|opportunity|possibility).
(Position|Job) offer for %cell1% !
(Message|Notice) for %cell1%
%cell1%'s (resume|careerbuilder profile)
(Dear|Hello) %cell1% ! (We are|Our company is) interested in (your skills|you)
(Job|Work|Employment) (advice|direction|guidance|help|hints|guidelines|recommendations).
(Equal opportunity|Equal rights|Equality|Equality of rights|Fairness).
(Find|Get|Obtain) your (next|new|fresh) (career|profession|employment|job|post|position) (here|with us)!
(Help|Assistance|Support) (wanted|needed|desired).
(Manage|Direct|Control|Rule|Organize|Handle) your (career|profession|employment|job|post|position).
(Employment|Work|Job|Career) (opportunity|offer|option|possibility).
(Build|Get|Make|Create|Have) a Better (Career|Employment|Job|Career Development).
(Find|Get|Obtain) your (calling|profession|occupation|job|work|career|employment).
(Job|Work|Employment|Vacancy|Opening) (Fairs|Festivals|exhibitions|markets).
(Find|Get|Obtain) the (job|work|position|post|employment|career|profession) that's (right for|just for|suits) (you|your ambitions|your expectations|your requirements).
(Launch|Start|Begin|Boost|Develop) your (career|work|employment).
(Looking for|Seeking|You are after|Want to find) (prospective|good|decent|well-paid) (jobs|employment|career|work|positions|opportunities)?
(Great|Fantastic|Decent|Good|Marvellous) (career|employment|job|career development) (opportunities|occasions|openings|options|possibilities).
(Find|Get|Obtain) your (dream|best) (job|occupation|work|job|position|post|employment)!
(Job|Employment|Work|Vacancy|Opening) (Offer|Proposal|Proposition) (Letter|Notification|Message|Note|Information)
We are (Hiring|Engaging|Contracting). (Description|Summary|Information|Info|Data|Report|Presentation) (Attached|Enclosed)
Our company is (Recruiting|Employment|Enrolling). (Immediate|Instant|Prompt|Fast|Rapid) (Start|Beginning|Commencement)
(Employment|Work|Career|Job) (Opportunity|Possibility|Options) – (Freight|Goods|Cargoes) (Forwarding|Delivery|Shipment)
(Career|Employment|Work|Job|Position|Vacancy|Profession) in Logistics - (Immediate|Instant|Prompt|Fast|Rapid) (Start|Beginning|Commencement)
(Freight|Goods|Cargoes) (Forwarding|Delivery|Shipment) (Assistant|Manager|Representative|Employee) (position|job|opening|work). (Details|Further information|Description|Summary) (inside|attached|enclosed)
New (Career|Employment|Work|Job) (Path|Way|Boost|Opportunity) – (Apply|Put in for) (Today|Now|This Day)
Logistics (Job|Employment|Work|Vacancy|Opening) (Offer|Proposal|Proposition) – (apply|put in for) (now|today|this day|as soon as possible), (start|begin|commence) (tomorrow|the next day)
(Position|Job) offer for %cell1% !
(Message|Notice) for %cell1%
%cell1%'s (resume|careerbuilder profile)
(Dear|Hello) %cell1% ! (We are|Our company is) interested in (your skills|you)
(Position|Job) offer for %cell1% !
(Message|Notice) for %cell1%
%cell1%'s (resume|careerbuilder profile)
(Dear|Hello) %cell1% ! (We are|Our company is) interested in (your skills|you)
    [message] => (Hello|Good day|Nice to meet you) %cell1%

This is an offer of employment as a Regional Logistics Manager at (Quick Auction|Quick Auction Inc|Quick Auction Group Int|Quick Auction Co. Ltd|Quick Auction LLC|Quick Auction Group Co. Ltd), the Australian drop-off sales (business|company) which is expanding to the USA (the following|this) month. This offer is provided to you after looking up into your resume, (provided|sent) to us by our HR agency. 

Your (title|post|position) will be Regional Logistics Manager if you (accept|agree to) this (offer|proposal) and you will report to (Herlinda Mallow|Cinderella Kushner|Virgina Tupper|Marie Glorioso|Janessa Azar|Chaya Plata|Olga Kesselman|Laverna Stober|Salina Grist|Shani Claire|Marlon Vanslyke|Julieann Kolb|Dennise Halcomb|Larita Brierly|Kate Raffield|Fabiola Mcnerney|Jestine Lowe|Trinidad Garth|Terrell Wasinger|Monika Laguna|Sade Nicley|Wendolyn Beam|Danette Romig|Tosha Bull|Carleen Eilers|Adena Gendreau|Francoise Brister|Nakita Essary|Herta Hoos|Olin Everette|Roselia Burrowes|Naida Frick|Selena Alvin|Elke Chatham|Perla Truelove|Josette Yochum|May Mckinnie|Winnifred Herrada|Mariel Tawney|Sanford Yancey|Jesusa Huckstep|Misti Lukasik|James Olander|Kyong Cabezas|Booker Vandeventer|Carolann Maselli|Heide Laman|Jacqueline Gayman|Michael Remaley|Dorine Nuss) - (HR Manager|Head Office Manager|General Director|CEO|Commercial Director|Human Resourse Departmnet|Recruiting Department|Hiring Department|Local Representative|Logistics Manager) of (Quick Auction|Quick Auction Inc|Quick Auction Group Int|Quick Auction Co. Ltd|Quick Auction LLC|Quick Auction Group Co. Ltd) through the (trial|probation) period.

(Pay|Payrate|Salary) : Payments (during|within) the first (trial|probation) (month|work month) are piecework. In case of further permanent employment a fixed fee for each deal will be (completed by|combined with) a monthly (pay|payment|salary) in the amount of 1,600 ($|usd).

Requirements: Access to the internet during the (day|workday|business hours) and basic microsoft office skills are required.

(Where?|Place|Location) : Home (office|based) US wide.

Schedule : Flexible during the daytime, not more than (2-3|3-4) hours (per|each) day.

Costs and Fees : There are NO costs and fees (ever|at any time) for our employees.

Further Hiring Process: If you are interested in (position we offer|offered post), please reply by email and send us the copy of your (cv|resume). As soon as you express your interest by (confirming|sending us) your (cv|resume) - we will provide all the (connecting|required) details about the company, the business we operate, your future job-responsibilites, bonuses and vacations for our staff.

Thank You for your attention
(Quick Auction|Quick Auction Inc|Quick Auction Group Int|Quick Auction Co. Ltd|Quick Auction LLC|Quick Auction Group Co. Ltd).

Permission Settings
You have been referred to (Quick Auction|Quick Auction Inc|Quick Auction Group Int|Quick Auction Co. Ltd|Quick Auction LLC|Quick Auction Group Co. Ltd). If you feel you (have received|received) this (email|message) (by|in) (mistake|error) or do not wish to receive any future (emails|messages), please reply to this message with "(remove|decline|unsubscribe)" in the subject field. We will immediately update our database accordingly.
    [mails] => sailaja2k@gmail.com|Sailaja Machiraju|5039222497
kglaramore@gmail.com|Kristen Laramore|</td>
latinshorty1982@aol.com|Dalia Diaz|413-512-1120
pure_chocolate_00@yahoo.com|Pamela Johnson|8644331823
ALIZE093@HOTMAIL.COM|TABITHA COOPER|773-619-6334
kimandtoph@hotmail.com|Topher McClellan|509 240-4250
)

29 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank you for this info! I just received this email and it is clearly spam, just needed to double check and your post was very useful.

Email sent to me (with name deleted :) )

Good day (My full name was here)

This is an offer of employment as a Regional Logistics Manager at Quick Auction Group Int, the Australian drop-off sales business which is expanding to the USA this month. This offer is provided to you after looking up into your resume, provided to us by our HR agency.

Your title will be Regional Logistics Manager if you agree to this offer and you will report to Sanford Yancey - Hiring Department of Professional Sellers Int through the trial period.

Payrate : Payments during the first probation work month are piecework. In case of further permanent employment a fixed fee for each deal will be combined with a monthly salary in the amount of 1,600 usd.

Requirements: Access to the internet during the business hours and basic microsoft office skills are required.

Location : Home based US wide.

Schedule : Flexible during the daytime, not more than 2-3 hours each day.

Costs and Fees : There are NO costs and fees at any time for our employees.

Further Hiring Process: If you are interested in position we offer, please reply by email and send us the copy of your cv. As soon as you express your interest by confirming your resume - we will provide all the required details about the company, the business we operate, your future job-responsibilites, bonuses and vacations for our staff.

Thank You for your attention
Professional Sellers LLC.

Permission Settings
You have been referred to Professional Sellers Co. Ltd. If you feel you received this email in error or do not wish to receive any future messages, please reply to this message with "unsubscribe" in the subject field. We will immediately update our database accordingly.

Anonymous said...

I also got one.i am not even in this field.I am a nurse!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for posting this. I received the same thing. Where can you report these kind of scams?

Anonymous said...

I also received same email. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

just as I suspected...ty for the confirmation...much appreciated

DJ said...

I just received the same email thats for the info.

Unknown said...

I got three of these over the past 2 months. Figured they were BS, and this saved me some time. Hooray for the internet!

Anonymous said...

Suspicion confirmed. Ty internet sleuth!

Anonymous said...

I just got this email today. What can be done to prevent these scammers?

Anonymous said...

Your post was right on point! Just received the email this morning. Knew it sounded fishy.

John said...

Thanks for the 411. I just got this today. Thanks for putting things like this out on the Internet. With all of the bad things that are going on out there in the Employment World, its nice to know at least someone is looking out for the underdogs.

Anonymous said...

What are they trying to achieve with this?

Anonymous said...

I just got the same email and i send mu updated resume with my info in there do you think that will cause me any trouble? in the sense they will be sending me or contacting me with any type of stupid stuff? please can someone tell me?

Anonymous said...

I got this in my email, I was instantly suspicious but I decided to look this up to be sure and my suspicions were confirmed thanks for the heads up. This will go into my trash. Though I have to fight the temptation to tell them where to stick this "job"

Spotter said...

What are they trying to achieve with this?

They are looking for suckers to receive and forward goods which they have purchased fraudulently. See the "additional information" links in the left bar of this blog, particularly ones that mention "reshipping".

I just got the same email and i send mu updated resume with my info in there do you think that will cause me any trouble?

They will offer you the job. Tell them no thanks, and that if they send you anything, you will refuse delivery.

Anonymous said...

What proof do you have that they purchase stuff fraudulently?

Spotter said...

The fact that they direct their purchases to be delivered to an intermediate party is strong evidence that they are doing so as a means to avoid fraud detection measures. Shipping goods twice creates delays and increases costs, but makes the transaction look less suspicious to the merchant.

Of course, you don't have to believe me. I'm just leading horses to water. Whether you drink or not is up to you.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for posting this information. I too received the Regional Logistics e-mail. Because of this site, my suspicions have been validated.

Most appreciative.



Anonymous said...

I just received an email with this information as well.

These scammers should be prosecuted and put in jail.

Anonymous said...

I received the same email today. I should have known that anything that has to do with packing and shipping rings a bell. I am glad to know the cons of this so called job, thanks.

Ayzhanah Sewell said...

I had doubt about this email it sounds identical to the one you posted.

Hello,

Nowadays, our company, Your Quick Sales LLC, is looking for new persons to occupy the position of Regional Logistics Manager. To optimize our management we are hiring for industrious, creative and responsible persons all over US.

Our Company deals with individuals and organizations all over the world in different trading activities. One of our main directions is worldwide dropshipping services. Whether people want to have something to buy from unknown buyer, or just overseas - Your Quick Sales Int here to provide the quality service, guaranteed best prices and best customer service!

To become the part of our friendly team you must have High School Diploma, have attention to details. Your duties will be also receiving and shipping parcels, packing and repacking goods, taking pictures and reports. You should have basic PC skills, such as Excel and Word, being reachable through email and cell phone through the day.

Payment: Within the first month (trial period) your payment will be based on amount of completed tasks. Right after the probation month will be completed, you will be assigned a standard monthly payment of $2100, starting from the first month of constant employment.

Bonus system: At Your Quick Sales Int you will also have health insurance, vacancies and bonuses will become available just after the trial month is over.

Demands: Internet access and availability during working hours. Basic Microsoft skills. Having a cell phone, a scanner, a printer and a camera (most cell phone cameras should be good).

Location: Through the first probation period you will work from home.
Job Schedule: Can be adopted to your ordinary timetable, however don't forget that most of the deals will take place in period of standard office hours on weekdays.
Fees: We will never ask you to invest money ever.

To have more details, please email us back to this address jayleighby@aol.com . Your resume will be a plus for us.

Best regards!
Quick Sale Int Team


I do not believe this company is legitimate.

Ayzhanah Sewell said...

I sent a follow up email tho cause I was skeptical.

My name is Jeremy and first of all I would like to apologize for this long email. I'll be your personal manager in case we agreed. Let me speak in a few words about our company.
Your Quick Sales Group is a wholly Australian owned company with business associations all around the world.

Why Did Dropship Australia Happen?
After years of watching people of other countries making great profits using the dropshipping business model we decided it was time to not only have an Australian Dropship website, which is opening within next month, but also one with Verified Australian and International drop ship suppliers and wholesalers. Below you will find more detailed information about the position we offer to our potential representatives.

What else do we offer to our customers?
More than that - we offer to all our customers the services of Personal Shoppers.

Working Hours: This is a part time and home-based position. You won't need to spend more than 3 hours per day. Your schedule will be flexible.
Salary: During the trial period (it lasts for 2 month) you will be paid by the rate of 20$ per each deal you complete (each outgoing shipment). With the average volume of clients your overall income for the trial will reach up to 2,000 USD per month. After the trial period is over, you will start receiving the base salary of $1600 per month PLUS you will still receive 20$ as a bonus for each deal you complete in addition to the monthly pay.
Please be aware that you will be required to accumulate and repack lots of incoming shipments.
Location: US Wide. As it is a work at home position, all the communication will be carried out online and through the cell phone.
Costs and Fees: There are NO COSTS at any time for our employees. All fees related to this position are covered by the company.

Thank you very much for being interested in our offer to become a Logistical Manager and member of big Your Quick Sales family. The most complete information concerning the proposed position is located by the url at the end of this email, in a file called "Detailed Position Explanation". This document contains the most complete information relevant to your duties and responsibilities as a Logistical Manager of our company, the qualification of which you should match, computer skills, working conditions and physical requirements.

Please be prepared to provide a scanned copy of the document confirming your identity (for example, driver's license, or utility bill with your postal address shown on it) for our database.

They mimicked what they said to a previous person in the comments above.

Anonymous said...

I just got the same type of offer for "Logistical Manager" from "Rapid Trade Int" at www.rapid-trade.net. The sender was Mark Squier, HR and the alleged CEO is Mathew Lee. The website exists, but I had a feeling it was bogus. It took me a while to find this warning (THANKS!)until I googled "drop ship australia". I can't thank you enough for your generous help in sorting this out! Good Job!

Anonymous said...

I've gotten the same email twice and the third time I actually got back a realistic response. I started officially on November 16th just last month. and before I began I sent them proof of residence and a copy of my drivers license and A contract of my job requirements in detail. Along with information about the company. The Personal Manager did not seem scary though I was not at "full" ease with the whole thing because of what I've heard form others. But everything that was stated to me before I began is showing to be true. Even the salary receiving method. So far I haven't had any bogus acts or issues. I was sent the contract to read carefully and sign, A compensation form(not for money from my pocket) but for the bonus pay for each shipment, and a link to the company website for more information and any unanswered questions. And My manager is in contact with me almost on a daily basis. So far no money has come from me for anything. Everything is prepaid by the company and I was thinking that since the packages come through FedEx, UPS and the USPS it wouldn't be a trick. Still keeping my fingers crossed though..

Anonymous said...

Also I've been offered a company business email address to have access to the company database. Next week will make a month since I've been there.

Spotter said...

Now that you've posted the "so far so good" messages, please follow up with the "this is how it all fell apart" messages when everything goes pear-shaped.

Anonymous said...

Yes i was tricked as well. This is a complete scam. There is no real salary involved. I learned the hard way.

Anonymous said...

I got this email during my job search. They are using Craigslist, of course. Fresh Way Logistics - Logistics manager, http://freshwaylog.com/ (and .net), blah, blah.

I have learned that a variation of the "job" goes like this:

They get you to accept packages and re-ship for them with promises of income.
They use stolen credit cards to win auctions or buy direct and ship to you (like you ordered)
You receive the "stolen" merchandise and reship to them overseas.
YOU are then targeted for credit card fraud purchases, receiving stolen goods, mail fraud etc.

Anonymous said...

Is this A scam reply Asap Thanks!!

My name is Mrs. Koum Leen, I'm working as (AGENT) with the Hubei Huakaier Football club of China,

The management of Hubei Huakaier Football club, has announced for Players in the club. This contract with the Club is scheduled to start in November 27th 2015 to December 27th 2015

we are very interested to welcome any experience player who can
Satisfactorily create a great impact in the development of Football with
the Hubei Huakaier Football club.

This is a 24 months contract with the Hubei Huakaier Football
Club.

Salary: is per month, contract agreement two Years. On the receipt of your resume, we shall outline the procedures in Completing this vacancy. If you are interested forward you’re CV for
assessment. And contact me directly for further negotiation:


We await your response in this regard.

Regards,

Mrs. Koum Leen
HRS Manager
www.Hubei Huakaier.fc