A week or so ago, The Nameless Libertarian commented on the fake job offers he’s been getting. Unlike the one he highlighted, the one I received yesterday was rather more professional. It had the TotalJobs.com template and the spelling and syntax suggested that some care had been taken over presentation, rather than the normal spammy semi-literate drivel that usually lands in the inboxes of job-hunters who are subscribed to the various on-line job sites. So, I reproduce it below and have highlighted certain key phrases:
My name is Ann Newman and I am the official recruiting representative of MacroTech LTD. I’ve recently found your CV online and wanted to get in touch with you. We are expanding our payment processing position by interviewing applicants from a variety of different backgrounds and we believe you have the potential to be an excellent match.
We are looking for ambitious, goal-oriented individuals like you. First year earnings, advances and bonuses can range from GBP 25,000 to GBP 45,000 for new representatives, depending on your work habits, performance, and initiative. No experience is necessary. Full training (at no cost) is provided to help maximize your earning potential. If you wish to excel with accompany that has a proven record of success, then I would like to communicate with you further.
My goal is to spark your interest. In the present economy, our position offers training, support and a pay scale comparable to entry level position requiring 40 hours per week. I hope you will explore, compare, and then contact me with your questions.
Sincerely yours,
Ann Newman
A quick Google search for MacroTech Ltd produces only a few relevant results – most are for similarly named companies. However, this one is not only the first, but is the only really significant result. And, interestingly, it gives us a website. Firstly, the .cc domain should ring alarm bells. Secondly, yes there is a vacancy as described in “Ann Newman’s” email and, sure enough, it does require payment processing:
MacroTech LTD. will provide an agent with detailed instructions as in regard to payment processing operations, including sender full name and amount total for each separate case. When funds enter employee’s bank account, Payment Processing Agents duty is to withdraw cash and transfer the funds via International Wire Transfer or Western Union/Money Gram money transfer systems.
Sigh… I know money laundering scams such as this one have been pretty well highlighted for some time now, so there’s no excuse for getting caught out, but this is the first time I’ve seen these people put together a website that specifically details how they do it. I don’t know whether they are being clever or really stupid. It’s difficult to tell. Anyway, if you receive a job offer that offers lots of money for doing little more than part-time payment processing using your own bank account, this is what is actually on offer – a short trip to a long spell in one of Her Majesty’s finest boarding houses.
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Update: Just received another one:
Dear Longrider,
MacroTech LTD. is pleased to offer you a job as a Payment Processing Agent. We trust that your knowledge, skills and experience will be among our most valuable assets.
We are now searching for bright people who will represent our company in different regions. The job consists of receiving and processing payment orders from our customers.
This is not a job that you see being offered every day, but it is available and your name came up as a qualified candidate.
We pay more than other online organizations! Minimum salary is £1,800 a month plus commission.
If you would like to learn more please email us at [email protected] our human resource managers will contact you within 2 days.
Please complete a form below if contact information in your CV is not up to date.
========FORM*********FORM==========
Full name: ____________________
Country: ________________
Contact phone: __________________
Call time: ______________________
========FORM*********FORM==========
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
NOTE: This is not a sales position.
Yours faithfully,
Ann Newman
Looks like I passed the interview, then?
I trust you HAVE informed both the, er, “normal” police and the SFA?
If not, I suggest you do?
The SFO.
I’m impressed. At least it’s for an actual position (of sorts) and they are willing to describe what is involved and talk numbers. A typical oil and gas recruiting email goes something like:
Dear Mr Newman
We have been told there might be some sort of job coming up somewhere, possibly the Middle East but maybe the North Pole, for which we have deemed you to be a suitable candidate. Please forward your most recent CV, current salary, and expected rate. This position is immediate and the successful candidate must be expected to mobilise in an hour’s time.
You apply, and you never hear a thing back from them ever again, until about a week later when you get a similar email about another exciting new position.
See here for more.
Yep, I’ve been getting a few of those too. I bin ’em.
From the SFO:
So highlighting it here and letting Google et al do the rest is the best I can do really.
So that means you can take the ‘job’?
“Thank you for contacting the Serious Fraud Office (SFO).
After consideration of the information you have provided to us, we have concluded that this is not a matter which is appropriate for investigation by the SFO. Accordingly, no further action will be taken by us and I hope the following will help explain why this is so.”
I translate that roughly to:
“Thank you for contacting the Serious Fraud Office (SFO).
After consideration of the information you have provided to us, we have concluded that this is not a matter which is appropriate for investigation by the SFO as we are basically a bunch of useless, lazy, incompetent final salary tax suckers.
As we are to bone idle to get off our arses and actually investigate anything, no further action will be taken by us.”
A job’s a job. You can’t be too fussy these days.
Maybe you could write back to the SFO then.
“So it’s OK by you that I take the job and when the Police arrest me I can expect you to back me up?”
Just to see them squirm!
Try City of London police. I’ve had a much more positive response from them in the past and have seen similar websites taken down.
@ # 10
Do that.
Some years ago, I encountered a loony on the tube, with an OIL DRUM.
He wouldn’t behave, so, at Moorgate, I pulled the handle …
Tube staff just WERE NOT INTERESTED.
Not were BTPlod, or MetPlod.
CityPlod were VERY interested.
Of course, this was BEFORE we had bombs on the UndergrounD
Here’s another one…..
From: Ann Newman
Subject: Mr. (my name), Great Job Opportunity for you
To: my email
Date: Thursday, December 16, 2010, 4:44 AM
Dear Mr …………,
We’ve found and evaluated your CV, and would like to offer you a Payment Processing Agent position.
My name is Ann Newman and I represent MacroTech LTD. After carefully reviewing your CV, I’m pleased to inform you that your skills meet our basic requirements.
Our company is a well known worldwide. We offer our customers Information Technology services through outsourcing to find the best candidates from all around the world.
The working schedule is a very flexible and can be made convenient to both you and the company.
NOTE: Internet and e-mail are required.
There is no participation or any other fees. The company covers all fees in connection with the hiring process.
It’s possible to work from home and keep in touch using the INTERNET & phone.
After the first 20 days we evaluate whether an employee is ready to work with us permanently. Your supervisor can recommend contract termination after the Probationary Period is over.
The salary for the first 30 days is GBP 1,500 + 8% commission for every completed transaction. Working with a number of permanent customers, your final salary could amount to GBP 2,500/month. After the probationary period, monthly wage will be raised to up to GBP 1,800 plus 8% commission. NOTE: After your probationary period is over, you may ask for additional hours or for full-time employment.
If you would like to learn more please email us your updated contact information at [email protected].
Sincerely yours,
Ann Newman
MacroTech LTD.
Totaljobs Group
Holden House, 57 Rathbone Place, London W1T 1JU
Registered in England & Wales under company number 04269861
—–Inline Attachment Follows—–
Thanks for that.
the thing i found was that they used a link from a real site like this
Dear …,
Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Ann Newman and I represent MacroTech Company.
I have encountered and evaluated the CV that you recently posted on jobsite.co.uk. Upon initial review of your qualifications we feel that you may be a good fit for a position with our company.
Our company is a well-known not only in the UK but internationally as well.
We deal mainly with the outsourcing of Information Technology internationally, bringing our clients consumers and the best equipped specialists from all over the world.
We are actively hiring for a part-time position with a flexible schedule. You are to spend on average 2-3 hours a day (except Saturday and Sunday, no tasks during weekends) working from your home.
There is no start-up or any other fees. The company covers all the fees related to the hiring process.
Your salary during the training period is GBP 1,500 per month plus 8% commission from each transaction. Total income, with the current volume of clients, will be about GBP 2,500 per month. After the training period, base salary will be GBP 1,800 per month plus 8% commission.
I look forward to hearing from you. To schedule an interview or just to discuss further, please contact me via email [email protected].
Yours faithfully,
Ann Newman
MacroTech LTD.
i dont understand how they get the info from the jobsite website and not get busted for it so it makes me wonder if it is a real job