I replied to an ad for a personal assistant position listed on Indeed.com that seemed to be potentially legitimate. The guy could have been a total a-hole, but I was going to wait to pass judgment until I got a phone call or in-person meeting.
Here is the ad:
I sent a very nice email highlighting my job experience and professional ethics. In response, I received this:
___________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Sir/Madam,
I would be very interested in offering you a part-time paying job in which you could earn some reasonable money.
My name is john smith and I am 52 years of age. I just resigned my job as a research scientist for ARINI(Agricultural Research Institute of Northern Ireland) and I now work as a freelance consultant for the institute which gives me very much time to do my own work which is basically being a freelance researcher who could be employed by research institutes to do research projects anywhere in the world.
Currently, I have just been granted a funding to head a research project in the tropical regions of Asia regarding rare and vulnerable plant species and this would be commencing very soon.
This research program will be funded and sponsored by some of my American counterparts and Associates. But the only set back is that the American counterparts want to make payments for the research in form of US money orders/ cashier’s checks only and its a known fact that money in such forms cannot be cashed outside the US. Getting an accountant in the states or opening an account would have been my best choice but I have a deadline to meet and taking any of those choices would cost me time and a whole lot of other requirements which I am not ready to deal with.
This is where I need to employ your assistance and service.
WHAT I NEED YOU FOR?
At this point, I will be glad if you could work with me as my representative in the US. You will be working as my payment assistant in charge of collecting and processing the payments from my Associates. Since they will be making the payment in Money orders/ Cashier checks made payable only in the US, you will be collecting this payments and cashing them on my behalf. On agreement that you are my representative in the US, you will receive a commission of 10% of whatever amount of payment you receive from my associates.
JOB DESCRIPTION?
1. Receive payments (in form of money orders/checks) from my associates via mail by regular courier services.
2. Cash the Payments at your Bank.
3. Deduct 10% which will be your commission/percentage on Payment processed.
4. You are to remit the balance via Money Gram or Western Union Money Transfer according to my instruction.
HOW MUCH WILL YOU EARN?
10% from each transaction! For instance: On receiving 6000 US Dollars via checks or money orders on my behalf. You will cash the payment and keep 10% to yourself before remitting the balance!
At the beginning your commission will equal 10%, though later it will increase up to 12%! For the research, I am expecting about the sum of $105,000 in total from the clients (though the money will be sent in installments due to the progress of my research). You could make over $10,500 for the short period of time we will be working together.
ADVANTAGES?
You do not have to go out of your present daily activity in order to engage in this Job (i.e. you can do this Work easily without leaving or affecting your present Job).You will work as an independent contractor right from your home /office. Your job is absolutely legal. You do not need any capital to start (non of your personal funds is needed).
–REQUIREMENTS?
18 years or older.
Legally capable.
Responsible, Reliable and Trustworthy.
Ready to work 3-4 hours per week.
Able to check and respond to emails often.
Easy telephone access.
IS THIS LEGAL?
Yes it is. As a matter of fact, my lawyer checked all legal provisions to know if there is any domestic or international laws against businesses or deals in this manner. And he said its allowed by all LAWS. So know that doing this work is safe and legitimate.
I hope all is well understood. I would be glad if you accept my proposal and I intend to commence as soon as you are ready.
Please, to facilitate the conclusion of this transaction if accepted, do send promptly by email the following details below, to indicate your interest.
NAME:
ADDRESS ( not p.o box):
CITY:
STATE:
ZIPE CODE:
OCCUPATION;
CELL PHONE NUMBER:
LAND PHONE NUMBER
AGE:
SEX:
Sincerely,
Dr john smith
___________________________________________________________________________________
There are a few things to address about this email.
1. I sent my application to an email with “John Wilson” in the address. I received a response from a “Dr john smith” who is neither fond of capitalization nor punctuation. If you are two people at once, you are probably NOT LEGITIMATE.
2. In the ad, the job required 25 hours per week. The responding email requires only 3-4. NOT LEGIT.
3. Contrary to the job posting, which preferred I have clerical experience and computing skills, this merely requires me to be a full-grown human. It also required that I be “trustworthy” i.e. not a snitch. ILLEGITIMATE.
4. Dr. Smith has had his lawyers look over the legal implications of all of this and says it’s A-OK. Probably, if you need to address the legality of a job you are offering in a simple job description, chances are YOU ARE NOT LEGITIMATE.
5. The “Doctor” is currently a “freelance consultant.” That is code for “MONEY LAUNDERER.”
6. Oh, I’m just going to be cashing a few checks and then taking a little off the top for my troubles? WELL THAT’S JUST NOT LEGITIMATE.
7. “You are to remit the balance via Money Gram or Western Union Money Transfer according to my instruction.” According to my instruction? That sounds ominous. NOPE.
So the job hunt continues.
Tags: #suckstobeme, employment, illegal, Indeed.com, jobs, money, money laundering, part-time jobs, scam
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