Protect Yourself and Report the Latest Frauds, Scams, Spams, Fakes, Identify Theft Hacks and Hoaxes
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Have you received an email from Bruce Brian of "Hafrenfurnisher plc" (no address given; just 206-309-0182) offering you a job as a "xxx", "Payment Officer", "local agent" or "local representative" in which you "receive payments", deduct your "Processing fee", deposit the checks and then wire most of the money to an overseas "company"?
Notice that the scammer says "I usually receive orders and payments,I cannot have these payments cashed as there's no means of doing so on the road". But he plans for you to do it using the internet... something he could obviously also do, as internet is available anywhere there is a cell phone connection in the United States, and of course, from almost every motel and hotel. It just takes a small amount of common sense to see through this obvious fraud.
It is an AFF / Money transfer Scam. They'll send you counterfeit checks which you are supposed to deposit, take out some percentage (typically, 10%) for your work, and then MoneyGram or Western Union wire the remaining 90%. Notice that although you receive checks, they won't let you forward a check to them, only Western Union or Money Gram. There's a reason for this: Western Union and MoneyGrams are cashed immediately and are untraceable and irretrievable. Bank checks can take 1 or 2 weeks to clear!
Of course, since the check is fake, it will bounce a week or so later after you deposit it. But you have already moneygram'ed the scammers the 90% of the amount, and that is transacted almost instantly. So you now owe the bank for the full amount. You may also face criminal charges for passing counterfeit checks. See this page for a step-by-step explanation of how the scam unfolds.
Do you have a resume posted online? We'd like to hear from you about your experiences recruiting emails that turned out to be scams or misleading - click here to write us.
Notice the peculiarities in the actual scam email below. They illustrate some of the additional clues that it is a scam, such as the email comes from a free email account (such as Yahoo.com, Hotmail.com, Aim.com, Gmail, cox.net, etc.). Wouldn't you expect a company to have its own website and email address (after all, it only costs about $200/year; every reputable company has its own website these days!) And don't be surprised if the scammers do put the names of real companies, real websites and events in their scams; it doesn't mean anything at all!
From: Bruce Brian [ Lohnieworld@copper.net ]
Dear Sir/Ma
I am Bruce Brian, sales manager of hafrenfurnisher plc its a retail outlet under global development.You can also check hafrenfurnisher.en.ecplaza.net where we intend to sell our brand of hand-made Interior furnitures online.We need a company representative to help in our payments,live help for customers and keep records of transactions going on,I have to be very mobile,as i need to import and export a lot of furnishing materials as the best of them are actually produced in Europe.The business is in it's starting phase,i really cannot afford a permanent hand on deck and while I am gone out of the country,I usually receive orders and payments,I cannot have these payments cashed as there's no means of doing so on the road,I'll have to return before I can do this.It usually affects my trip,as I'll be rushing to come back to complete the transaction,usually I loose at one of the two things,either I lose a good purchase deal or I loose a buyer.I have decided to employ an online assistant whose Job will be on contract,you get paid once you handle a transaction,no stories.Most buyers picking furniture for their homes make payments either via personal checks,cashier checks,money orders,Traveller's checks.Some buyers like to make a bank to bank transfer as well.
If you choose to work with me, your Job will be to complete these transactions,all i do is send your physical address to the buyers when they are ready to make payment,you cash at your bank,deduct your pay on the spot and send the balance to me or any vendor I direct you to.(You will not be sending another check,you will send money via Western Union Cash Transfer) An average item for sales goes for anywhere from $2,500-$4,000.I handle an average of 3 transactions per week when sales is good and sometime just 1.Each time you handle a transaction anyway your pay is fixed.If you handle 10 transactions a week you get paid 10 times.Your average pay per week is $350-$600.All charges during cashing,sending of payments and transaction completion will be deducted from the balance after you've gotten your pay and not deducted from your pay so your pay is fixed on the amount cashed per transaction.
The hours are flexible and you can decide when you want to work,i don't need you online 24/7 just online on a daily basis and check your emails regularly.Working with me will also not disturb your other jobs as I only require that applicant have easy access to the net,be reachable easily and respond promptly to instructions and e-mails sent.
NB: Please note that in acceptance of this job offer you will be sent an INTERVIEW form which are to fill out and respond with the necessary information needed .
Hope to hear from you and indicate your interest in the position by
sending me your full contact details in this format
Full Names
Full Address Including State And Zip Code
Home Number
Cell Number
Email Address
Thanks,
Bruce Brian
SALES MD(Hafrenfurnisher PLC)
Phone Number: 206-309-0182
Fax Number: 206-309-0182
There are a variety of sleazy scams that look, at first glance, like legitimate job offers. Before you write back to them, pause a moment and read about the scams below!
Some of the more common job scams are