Posted on 08/06/2010 11:23:06 AM PDT by Squawk 8888
Here's a scam I haven't seen before, so FReepers beware. It's a variation on the "eBay overpayment". The perp is tageting individuals in Canada and the USA. They operate under the name Magnum Solution (www.magnumsolution.com).
Here's how it works:
1. They place a "help wanted" ad in the local newspaper (I saw the ad in the Toronto Sun) seeking "mystery shoppers" to evaluate service at retail outlets. Candidates are directed to register at their website. So far it looks like it could be legit as they are only seeking contact info.
2. They sent me a letter in mail telling me that I've been accepted, and they provided me with a cheque for $1,500. The cheque is to cover the cost of my first "assignent" for them. I was instructed to cash the cheque, wire $1,300 to an overseas recipient, then complete a questionnaire about the service provided by the wire transfer company. The $200 difference was allegedly to cover my fee and expenses.
A quick call to the bank on which the cheque was drawn confirmed that it was a scam, and the bank thanked me for bringing it to their attention.
My wife, who among other things is at times a "mystery shopper" encountered this one and smelled a rat. The catch is that the $1500 check will bounce -- after you've dutifully wired the $1300.
OBAMA MONEY!!!
FROM OBAMA!
$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Consider Chelsea Clinton's new Father-in-law:
Mezvinsky traveled to Nigeria numerous times and ultimately lost more than $3 million as a victim of the scammers.
Prosecutors say Mezvinsky fell particularly hard for what is known as the "black money" scam. Victims are told millions of dollars have been coated with black ink so the money could be smuggled out of Nigeria.
The scammers then offer to sell a special, expensive chemical to remove the black ink so the currency can be used.
Prosecutors say Mezvinsky fell for at least three separate "black money" schemes that he thought would bring him millions.
I’m betting that legit research companies are royally POd by scammers like this, as is makes it harder for them to get both customers and employees.
Cashing a $1,500 check from a complete stranger? Yeah, that’s always “smart”.
Better watch out, some body will post the little “That’s Racist!!” guy.
FYI VARIATION
Offer a room for rent $500 deposit.
Receive deposit check in mail for $1000.
Renter then calls and says she accidentally over paid and needs the extra 500 to move. Please wire to yada yada yada
There are a million of these scams.
My wife is a Mystery Shopper. She averages less than $20 per job. There are a few jobs where she actually has to pay money up front but it’s either to buy something then return it to the same store in order to check on how they handle returns or something inexpensive that they reimburse her for along with her fee. Nowadays they pay you via Paypal, not bank checks.
That makes sense. Paypal is cheaper than a paper cheque.
Like one of my neighbors, who is absolutely convinced that Publisher's Clearing House will be pulling up any day with $23 million for him. The scammers that got him had him clean out his savings for 'processing' fees, but hey! It's Publisher's Clearing House and we all know they're legit. It would be ILLEGAL for someone to claim they're with PCH if they're not, wouldn't it?
I’m in! Just cash the seed-money check I’m sending you and send half of it to my friend, and we can get started!
My daughter got a variation on this as well. Check was sent from someone moving back from Germany for rent, extra for moving ($1500 check) and please give my friend the $200 difference. They fedex-ed her the check (avoid federal mail fraud charges if they get caught) but she was smart enough not to cash it.
So Brett Favre isn't retired?
I have been contacted by two different mystery shopping companies and will be sent out on jobs for which I will not be paying anything, just to watch demonstrations of new products and submit a report for the time that it takes. My pay will be $15 and the fee will be a direct deposit into my bank account. One outfit that tries to pass itself off as legit is Shadow Shopper with a come on to sign up but it only gives hints to those interested in getting a job, in reality you MUST pay $49.95 Cdn in order to even access the jobs and that fee only allows you to access the jobs for 3 months. The company actually wants you to pay for an entire year with oh so many golden promises, but you must pay by credit card. Someone who is looking for a job is unlikely to want to risk putting a large amount onto their credit card for a company which uses dubious practises to entice the desparate who are looking for work in this shaky economy and job market. I’ll stick with the jobs I am sent on where I don’t have to pay any money thank-you very much, let some other sucker lose their money paying for items they may not ever see the money for!
My wife checked into the mystery shopper gig and was offered several assignments, all of which she turned down, all involved driving to small towns at least 25 miles away and making a tiny purchase. The compensation offered would not have even come close to covering her expenses. We finally decided somebody was nuts.
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