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, August 27, 2007

Inter-Trans-Payments

Typical money mule scam: they transfer stolen money to you and ask that you wire it to them. High pay, high risk of arrest on money laundering charges or similar. Contact your bank immediately if you've been sucked into doing this.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: [redacted, but note that it uses an address in the recipient's domain]
Date: 27-Aug-2007 13:27
Subject: =?windows-1251?Q?Hello, Need job?      Part time and full time employees neededXkYyHh?=
To: [same as "from", oddly enough]


Goodday,,

Inter-Trans-Payments ( http://www.inter-trans-payments.org) is recruitting for part-time positions.

Your duties will include providing e-commerce services for the company.


It doesn't matter what y0u currently do for a living - whether you

are an accountant, a truck driver, a lawyer, a secretary,       a housewife

or a builder -      if you fit the following requirements you are welcome to

be a member of 0ur team!

Sales(payment processing) support for our company

USE YOUR SKILLS TO MAKE EXTRA MONEY!




        All our available positions are h0me based.

Minimum 8 hours/week c0mmitment required
Be your own manager - set your own hours.

0ur requirements include:




-Ability to foll0w directions

-Good responsibility to company requests

-Proved ability to work independently

-Good knowledge of Microsoft Windows

- Fluent English;

- Home Computer with e-mail account and ability to check your e-mail

box at least twice a day;



- Adults only accepted       (we cannot hire underage people);

- 1-3 hours free during the week (mainly in the evening /   non-business hours) for communication and 2-4 hours a week more for transfer processing

-N0 criminal rec0rds(your background will be verified)


-Banking account in one of local banks(You can open a new 0ne(zero-balanced) to work with the company;

-Uphold a high level 0f integrity and ethics.




NO MONEY TO START!

$700 Bonus after 50-days of employment.If you work minimum of 10h per
week.



Direct ongoing supervision from trainers and supervisors       .
By providing customer support for our growing sales you will be able to
make extra money!

People who have experience in vari0us professional fields are earning
$1000-$3000 EXTRA per month working only 10-20 hrs/wk around their current
positions.

The earnings showed are valid for the individuals described and are not a
guarantee of your revenue. Each candidate's success will be determined by
his or her aspiration, devotion, eff0rt,        ability to follow instructions and
individual talent        .





We are looking for a group of people looking for a change and who are
prepared to do what it takes in order to succeed on their job.
If you've got people skills and the willingness and dedication to
learn, we are definitely interested in hiring you    !

All sales support specialist work from home based virtual offices, thus
any location is suitable as long as there is an internet connection.
    No cubicles, no commutes, no office politics, and no 9-5 hours here.
You'll be able to work from home according to your schedule and your
availability.




     Benefits:
Work when you like it!



Part time or full time positions are available

- Career Advancement Opportunities

- Highest commission and compensation rates in the Industry

- Access to support, 24/7 by email,        web or by phone





    NO Financial contribution required in order to start working with us. We
offer real job from home, not business opportunity!





To get A FREE INFORMATION PACKAGE About this exciting position please visit our main site:

http://www.inter-trans-payments.org



we will contact you ASAP (24-48 hours after we receive your registration form on our site) by e-mail or by phone to provide you more information.

Registration(also available on our main site):
http://www.intertrans-p.com/index-4.php


Make a change to your life!      


Regards,

Aiden     MURPHY   




 


Friday, August 24, 2007

WLCL Group

This is a money mule scam. Any job which involves being a financial middleman like this involves fraud somewhere in the chain.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: WLCL Group <[redacted]>
Date: 24-Aug-2007 16:07
Subject: Available positions at WLCL Group.
To: [redacted]

Good afternoon,


We have seen your profile on the of the employment websites.
We currently have an open part-time position which  pays $1500-3000 per month plus extra bonuses and various benefits.
We offer very flexible schedule great programs where personal qualities affect earnings. Position does not require and specific knowledge but willingness to learn,  determination, basic knowledge of computer and management skills. The nature of job is transaction processing. You will receive the transfers our customers/resellers send  directly to you and forward it to us or our agents via one of chosen money transfer agencies.
And if you are looking for career there is 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. We hope to hear from you soon, if you should have any questions please do not hesitate to ask.

If interested please, contact us at  info@hr-wlcl.cn  , stating your country of residence as well.

Thank you!

Tuesday, July 31, 2007

"Very Rare" (we wish!)

To be honest, I'm not sure if these two spams are sent by the same scammer, or two scammers with a very similar modus operandi. The common factors are as follows.
  • Money mule scam, targeting Australians.
  • Phrase "very rare" used to describe the opportunity.
  • Gmail contact addresses.
  • Requirement to be 18+ and check email 3-4 times a day.
I have five of these spams in the account from which the following samples are quoted. The earliest is dated around 20th July, but the others are 30th July and later.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: [random name] <[random address]>
Date: 30-Jul-2007 18:32
Subject: Rare Job Opportunity! 1200-1400 AUD a Week! Easy.
To: [redacted]

Hello! Please take a look at this great "Easy to Start" position. And start Making Money!

You have an opportunity to make 1200-1400 AUD a Week spending only 1-2 hours a day, Monday-Thursday.

This position can be considered as an additional job or just as an extra income. Position called "Transaction Handling Agent".

Who Can Apply?

1. Not only Students, but even professional company Directors can express themselves as a "Transaction Handling Agent".
2. If you have access to internet and able to check e-mail 3-4 times a day - you can start right away.
3. Age: 18+ years old.
4. You have to be located in Australia and Australia Only please.
5. Responsibility and enthusiasm is a Must!

Very rare and great opportunity, do not miss out on this offer.
For full information on how to get started - e-mail to: NTT.salesgroup@gmail.com. Good Luck!

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: [random name] <[random address]>
Date: 31-Jul-2007 01:38
Subject: Don't Miss This Offer! Make 10% comission.
To: [redacted]

Greetings!
This is very Rare Job opportunity Offer! Please read.
Do You want to make 900-1000 AUD a week, doing 10% comission? Very easy and fun way to make money, few main facts:
1. 900-1000 AUD a week!
2. 18+ y/o ONLY, you have to be able to check your e-mail 3-4 times a day
3. 1-2 hours of free time Monday-Thursday, preferably in the morning.
4. Daily Pay Out!

Successful company, located in UK, representing Sony Products, Hitachi computer hardware has an opportunity for you. Currently seeking for Australian residents. Very great opportunity and very easy to work with. For more info please contact: hardware.inc505@gmail.com

ATTENTION : This letter not spam, and the real offer for all comers to work and requiring in work. If to you there has come our letter to the wrong address remove the letter and we promise you that the letter to you will not come any more.

Geneva Finance

This isn't the first time I've seen a scam under the name of "Geneva Finance" or similar: see the following past instances for comparison.
At the moment this particular scammer is using contact addresses in the domain " mighty.co.za", and signing off with the name "Michael Maulder". This is a money mule scam, and the fact that it is targeting Australians strongly suggests that it involves receiving stolen money via direct bank transfer, then forwarding the majority of it to the scammer via Western Union.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: [random name] <[random address]>
Date: 25-Jul-2001 00:53
Subject: Place for you
To: [redacted]

Do you want to earn 800 AUD
per week spending only 2 hours a day? Due to company expansion we require
regional representatives in your country for
work in financial field.

If you:

•    Live in Australia;
•    Have a personal computer and basic accounting skills (we will provide FULL training);
•    Have e-mail box and ability to check it at least 2 times a day;
•    Are able to work Monday-Friday (9AM - 11AM);
•    Are a good team player;
•    Can work unsupervised.

Then YOU may suit us.

SEND your enquiry/resume here apply@mighty. co.za
Full training will be provided by us.
Good salary plus bonuses for right candidate.
______
Geneva Finance
Management Department
Michael Maulder


----
management@mighty.co. za

Colin Scowcroft

I've been slacking off a lot of late. This spam is anything but new -- it first arrived in my inbox around the 10th of July. At last count I have eighteen instances of it in that particular account's spam folder. The name "Colin Scowcroft" is undoubtedly fake, but it's consistently used as the sign-off in all the spams mentioned. Other than that, it's the usual money mule scam. This particular scammer churns through freemail addresses (mostly Gmail addresses of the form " FirstnameSurnameLetterLetter@gmail.com" at the moment) as contact points -- there is no website or dedicated domain name associated with the scam.

A representative sample of the spam follows.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: [random name] <[random address]>
Date: Mon, 30 Jul 2007 15:32:22 -0180
Subject: International company is looking for talented persons for a respectable job. Infomation is attached.
To: [redacted]


Dear worker,
Our International  Corporation   is looking in search of new employees  on various  vacancies.
We suggest a ability for you to get financial Independence right now.
Only our Worldwide can suggest you to gather  a good earnings in a short period of time.
You do not need to spend any sum of money and
we do not ask you to give us with your bank account requisites!
We are occupied in absolutely official activity and working in our Worldwide
you can reach profession  growth  at a permanent  work.
We are in search of representatives from any point of the world globe .
Average earnings  of our employee  is 3450-4500$ per month, but you can earn get  more.

Here is the top 10 of our representatives  salaries:

Top 10 employees
----------------------
Per month:
1.45750 $
2.42185 $
3.38590 $
4.25808 euro
5.32000 $
6.15700 GBP
7.27200 $
8.24300 $
9.22750 $
10.18730 $

It is easy to be in ours Top 10!
Everything is simple  enough and it depends only of you.
We are waiting the creative  approach  and purposefulness  from our employee .
You can work full time or part time.
You settle on the timetable of you work at our International  .
We pay you for result . The best regional representative becomes
the chief of regional office of our company and grts a full social packet
and additional  at a rate of 50 % from his annual salary .
Many  of our worker have made excellent career, received full financial independence and
have embodied  all their dreams  in a reality less than in 2-3 years of working in our company.
The preference is given to employees with knowledge of foreign languages.

If you are interested in our offer please send us the following information:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1) Full name
2) Address of residing
3) Phone numbers
4) Languages
5) Part time job/Full time

Please send this information to our email: RoyGarzaKM@gmail.com

Please specify in the subject line:
Application for the local rep position. Number 100711

If you are not interested in our offer or you received this email by
mistake please reply with Unsubscribe in subject line and specify all
your emails addresses to JodiThorntonFD@gmail.com
We are sorry for inconvenience

Yours faithfully,
Colin Scowcroft