Money laundering for unwilling assistants: Job offer as "payment representative"

I got the VERY SIMILAR approach and almost finished the job. I got the email like last month and I responsed for this job. Truly there has the check coming into my mail box (of course after couple of emails back and forth), I was requested to give them upfront amount for the urgent matters, deadline, my wife got the accident and I am eagerly to have the money for surgery etc......... when I got the check, the check was from the other state / countries, so I have to clear this check at least one week for other states and at least 4 weeks for other countries, finally I got the check cleared at the other state and I was instructed to transfer the money to one person via Western Union, hmmmmm...... i was urged my cousin during the phone call....... there is one kind of money laundering activity and they do not need to have you as the middle man. first of the things, I just awared if this is a bad check and refused to transfer the upfront amount before I got clearing of this check. I thought I am smart enough, but my cousin said this is kind of money laundering activity -- do not agree to transfer money for someone else that you do not know, this would be put you and your money in the firing line, so awaken me then I told the "scammer", I refuse to go on with this transfer and request them to take the money back, I haven't heard from them since that time and the money is still with me, not a big amount !

I do not want what activity they are acting ! Maybe I guess it sounded like they got the money from the other victim and sent me the check, then i have to transfer the certain amount to the other scammer, so they would work this out.

Be careful !

Attn

This notification is to let you know that your application for the job offer has been received,reviewed and accepted. This job does not require too much from you,and it is completely stress free.

We are one of China's leading oil exporters and we have been in business for decades.We are international corporate oil suppliers, We sell all kinds of oil such as Used Vegetable, Sessame Oil, Corn Oil, Vegetable oil,Soya bean Oil, Sunflower oil, Jatropha Oil, Palm Oil, crude palm oil,etc.

We have been operating in American for years, and recently have decided to expand our horizons by competing in the European market.

You will be hired as our customer service agent in your City,as we are looking for customer service agents in every city around our target zone. Our vision is to have a minimum of 5 agents in each city across the United Kingdom.

However,you have the choice to specify which mode of communication you would prefer,you may also indicate both if you so desire. The two options are below.

PHONE:..................indicate this if you would like customers to reach you through phone.
EMAIL:..................indicate this if you would prefer email corresspondence only.

This will be pasted in our adverts in magazines and on websites, You will not be involved in any form of marketing, as our marketing department will handle all forms of advertisement in the consumer(target) field. You will only be indicated as our agent in such area.

Job Requirements:

1. Internet connection
2. Ability to communicate in English
3. Any previous working experience in relevant fields is an advantage...

Job Description:

1. Your name and contact(phone or email only) would be placed on magazines and websites as our agent.
2. When a customer contacts you, you accept the order of the customer and then send it to us.
3. You will get a price quote from us which should be forwarded to the customer.
4. The customer sends payment for the order.
5. Customer's order will be shipped.

It is important to inform you that when customers request samples/Laboratory test results, payments for the processing of these items and the freight cost might be sent to you directly,This is because it is the company's policy to allow payment's below £5,000 be sent to the Local agent(you), so as to save time. As you already know that a speedy ordering process is our goal.You would have to forward such payments to the freight company.

Benefits:

You will receive a weekly pay of £300.00 plus £20.00 for communication,in case you have to make calls. Your pay check is due monthly, which brings it to a total of £1280.00 monthly.

Also, for every customer order you handle successfully,you get 5% of the total purchase apart from your salary.

However,your salary would be reviewed after your first month of working with us. Please ensure that the address specified is the same as where your paycheck would be mailed.

If you accept this offer, Please forward the following information to the adverts manager Ken Landis.(kenlandis41@gmail.com) immediately. The subject line should read --New Agent include CITY and STATE---

FULL NAME:
CONTACT ADDRESS:(this will not be pasted in our ads)
CONTACT PHONE: (this will not be pasted in our ads except if indicated above)
SCANNED COPY OF IDENTIFICATION(IF AVAILABLE)

It is important that you respond to every email from our customers as soon as you can.Our mission is to ensure a speedy ordering process and an encouraging customer service.
The essence of employing you,is to make our customers/buyers feel at home,even when we are miles away from them.

Have a nice day.

Thank you.
Richard Hall
Malik Oil Ltd.

I received this same email after replying to a job offer in a local newspaper. I had tried to call this Richard Hall but could not understand a word he was saying due to a strong accent and loud background noise.

The job offer sounds good doesn't it? I would also like to know if this is a scam. I suspect it is, obviously, but it would be good to know for sure.....

Anyone know?

hi I too have received this email, sounds too good to be true so must be dodgy! I am going to forward my reply to the local paper which ran the advertisement.

Customer Service Agent‏
From: Donna Robinson (donnarobinson44@yahoo.ca)
Sent: May 11, 2008 5:09:30 AM
Reply-to: ericmiller02@yahoo.com
To: KIM YURKIN (newmoon2008@live.ca)

Attn
This notification is to let you know that your application for the job offer has been recieved,reviewed and accepted. This job does not require too much from you,and it is completly stress free.

We are one of China's leading oil exporters and we have been in business for decades.We are international corporate oil suppliers, We sell all kinds of oil such as Used Vegetable, Sessame Oil, Corn Oil, Vegetable oil,Soya bean Oil, Sunflower oil, Jatropha Oil, Palm Oil, crude palm oil,etc.

We have been operating in europe for years, and recently have decided to expand our horizons by competing in the american market.
You will be hired as our customer service agent in your City,as we are looking for customer service agents in every city around our target zone. Our vision is to have a minimum of 5 agents in each city across the Canada.

However,you have the choice to specify which mode of communication you would prefer,you may also indicate both if you so desire. The two options are below.

PHONE
:..................indicate this if you would like customers to reach you through phone.
EMAIL
:..................indicate this if you would prefer email corresspondece only.

This will be pasted in our adverts in magazines and on websites, You will not be involved in any form of marketing, as our marketing department will handle all forms of advertisement in the consumer(target) field. You will only be indicated as our agent in such area.
Job Requirements:
1. Internet connection
2. Ability to communicate in English
3. Any previous working experience in relevant fields is an advantage.

Job Description:
1. Your name and contact(phone or email only) would be placed on magazines and websites as our agent.
2. When a customer contacts you, you accept the order of the customer and then send it to us.
3. You will get a price qoute from us which should be forwarded to the customer.
4. The customer sends payment for the order.
5. Customer's order will be shipped.

It is important to inform you that when customers request samples/Laboratory test results, payments for the processing of these items and the frieght cost might be sent to you directly,This is because it is the company's policy to allow payment's below $5,000 be sent to the Local agent(you), so as to save time. As you already know that a speedy ordering process is our goal.You would have to forward such payments to the frieght company.

Benefits:
You will receive a weekly pay of $300.00 plus $20.00 for communication,in case you have to make calls. Your pay check is due monthly, which brings it to a total of $1280.00 monthly.

Also, for every customer order you handle successfully,you get 5% of the total purchase apart from your salary.

However,your salary would be reviewed after your first month of working with us. Please ensure that the address specified is the same as where your paycheck would be mailed.
If you accept this offer, Please forward the following information to the adverts manager Mr. David Moore.(davidmoore124@yahoo.com) immediately. The subject line should read --

New Agent inlcude CITY and STATE-

FULL NAME:
CONTACT ADDRESS :

(this will not be pasted in our ads)
CONTACT PHONE:

(this will not be pasted in our ads except if indicated above)
SCANNED COPY OF IDENTIFICATION (IF AVAILABLE)

It is important that you respond to every email from our customers as soon as you can.Our mission is to ensure a speedy ordering process and an encouraging customer service.
The essence of employing you,is to make our customers/buyers feel at home,even when we are miles away from them.

Have a nice day.
Thank you.
Donna Robinson

Malik Oil Ltd

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I applied for this job. Got the same acceptance letter then did not hear from Richard Hall for weeks (he did not answer any e-mail). Next I got an email from a "potential customer" named Kate Robinson. I forwarded her the info Mr. Hall instructed me to. Then (2 or 3 weeks later)I got an email from Mr. Hall stating that she was ready to purchase and that I needed to open one checking and one savings account with Wells Fargo Bank so the transaction process would be faster and smoother between me and Malik Oil. He also demanded that if I have any other bank account to disclose it, or if I would prefer to have checks made out in my name which I chose. Well, I haven't heard from him since (it has been 4 weeks now). I found strange that my caller id have been showing a lot of unknown and private callers lately. Stay away!!!

I applied for this job. Got the same acceptance letter then did not hear from Richard Hall for weeks (he did not answer any e-mail). Next I got an email from a "potential customer" named Kate Robinson. I forwarded her the info Mr. Hall instructed me to. Then (2 or 3 weeks later)I got an email from Mr. Hall stating that she was ready to purchase and that I needed to open one checking and one savings account with Wells Fargo Bank so the transaction process would be faster and smoother between me and Malik Oil. He also demanded that if I have any other bank account to disclose it, or if I would prefer to have checks made out in my name which I chose. Well, I haven't heard from him since (it has been 4 weeks now). I found strange that my caller id have been showing a lot of unknown and private callers lately. Stay away!!!

Unfortunately, I was a victim in this as well. I am currently unemployed, and a little desperate, so I answered the ad in the local paper, and I got the same response as was posted, "we hope to have 5 agents in every city..." all that crap. The cast of characters in this story is John Sprung, Robin Bleecker, Jason Matheson, and starring Michael Wayne as "The Customer". Well, being a little desperate, when I got that first check, like an idiot, I cashed it, and now my account is in the hole for about $4000. I got another "check" from Wells Fargo Bank, and told them the only thing I'm willing to do is tear up the check, and mail it to them. I may just call Wells Fargo, and see if the account is real (it probably isn't) and if it will cover the amount of this check. (It probably won't.) I could use the money, beLEIVE me!