The Internet Crime Complaint Center (
www.ic3.gov) recently sent out information on another online employment scam:
“The IC3 has recently received over 250 complaints reporting a new twist to the online employment scam. The scam involves individuals who responded to online ads or were contacted via e-mail as a result of their resume being posted on websites. The perpetrator posed as a
research company and requested participants to complete a paid survey regarding services provided at wire transfer locations to improve the effectiveness of the company’s money-transfer services.”
Complainants were hired and then mailed a
cashier’s check or money order. They were asked to cash a check/money order, keep a portion and wire the remaining amount via wire transfer. Victims are asked to send more information such as transfer number and amount wired, followed up by a questionnaire regarding the wire transfer. If not done, the victims receive threatening emails stating to respond in 24 hours or their information will be sent to FBI and they could face 25 years in jail.
Of course, after all this, the victims learn the checks are counterfeit and most victims now owe the bank between $1,800 and $2,500.
If you need a job, make sure you are going to make money, not lose it. Paying an upfront fee is a huge red flag."
