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, November 07, 2008

Russian Electronics Company

Here's the latest money mule employment offer to hit my inbox. This is not a sales gimmick requiring you to pay setup fees or sign up to a mailing list. This is organised crime, seeking to employ unwitting dupes in money laundering. There hasn't been much effort put into the "Russian Electronics Company" identity here: they're just using a bunch of Gmail addresses (for now -- they may diversify) starting with "r.e.c.".

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: [redacted (false, random)]
Date: 2008/11/7
Subject: Vacancy
To: [redacted (privacy)]


Honest Workers Needed!!!

Are you blessed with a new child yet unable to attend work? Are you a college student with odd class schedules impairing regular work time?
Well you're in luck!!!
We are looking for honest and communicative people to sort, store, and make readily available our delivered finance from you!!
This is not a sales gimmick requiring you to pay setup fees or sign up to a mailing list. This is a business requiring only limited amounts of your time.
Spaces are limited so act now for this great intuitive job offer.
We have a few locations to choose from. we require people in South and North America, European country, Australia. We are sorry but if you are not in the listed continents or in the vicinity of, your application request will be denied.


Please send your resumes only to our e-mail:  r.e.c.workfryou@gmail.com


or if you are without resume or employment history simply send your name address and a few comments or reasons why you should be considered for this position.
We are sorry but P.O Boxes will not be accepted.
DO NOT TURN THIS OFFER DOWN!! GREAT OPPORTUNITY!!!
regards R.E.C. (Russian Electronics Company)

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