Job offer scam?

cactuscake

cactuscake

cactuscake

Associate
Joined
22 Feb 2009
Posts
512
Location
Bampton
A couple of days ago I saw a job listing on Craigslist for a bookkeeper/PA position, pretty standard requirements for that sort of occupation, well written, reasonable pay rate offered. So I took the time to write a good cover letter and emailed it along with my CV.

I've just received this reply:

Dear Joseph,

I received your e-mail and from the details you have on your resume, I would want to give you the opportunity to work with me and i hope my decision will be worthwhile,I'll be using the next couple of weeks to test your efficiency and diligence towards this position as i really need to find the perfect person for the job.
Our company is a private hi-tech enterprise engaging in development and production of aluminum and stainless steel products.

For your information i am only willing to hire someone who is dependable and dedicated with a good heart for this position because my bookkeeper assistant will be communicating with my clients, keeping records of my income/finances and other vital information,
Another reason why I need a bookkeeper is to find someone who can work with me in order to assist and relief me of my busy schedule and other business activities.

Your task as my assistant bookkeeper will include ;
• Processing all customer payments and invoices
• Prepares and run data reports as requested
• Scheduling programs,Updating clients and keeping me up to date with them.
• Handling and monitoring sales and some of my financial activities.
• Accounts receivable,payments & collections from clients.
• Process customer payments and invoices
• Process all vendor bills in a timely manner
• Prepares and run data reports as requested.
• Detailed documentation of funds sent.

This position is basically working from home and flexible as the Working hours are : Mon-Friday which varies between 4 to 5 hours daily .
I will be making all the necessary arrangement that will enable your work easier as i will be traveling to China tonight for a company project that really needs my urgent attention but will be returning back to the states in two weeks.
However as my personal assistant and bookkeeper,my attorneys contact information can be provided to you in case you need anything and i will like to set you up with a personal laptop computer to enable you have the access to internet and also provide you a printer needed for the task.

Note;I would want my private laptop computer and not your house or personal computer and I will also provide you the software and materials that are needed to perform your duties such as: The Information needed to make request for payments due from clients and associates.
You will be notifying customers via email,phone,fax and mailing about their purchase and payments.

I will be paying you $450 weekly ($1800 Monthly) remember this position is part time for now but it may grow to full time ,i want you to go make an inquiry about getting a laptop computer and having internet setup with a laser jet printer.
NOTE;The office supplies and software will be used for the company's commitments only.
A face to face interview will be conducted once i return from my business trip to formalize our working procedures.
I want you to look up the prices of the laptop and printer below and get back to me with the quotation.
A
Toshiba Wireless Laptop-L655-S5061
HP - Officejet 4500 Wireless All-in-One Printer
B
Gateway - Laptop / Intel® Core™ i3 Processor Model: ID49C07u
Lexmark - Wireless Multifunction Printer/ Copier/ Scanner

James Chu
Foshan Stainless Steel Co Ltd.
United States District Director.
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I forgave the grammar as this is a Chinaman, and I'm in the US which explains the $ quote, the company is real (although there is no evidence this person is actually employed there), but something still seems a little bit weird about it...

I don't think I'm going to respond, but I was curious - if this is a scam, has anyone seen it before? Anyone know how it works? I mean, I can't figure out how such an arrangement could lead to him getting any cash from respondents.
 
Ah good to know it's nothing new, thanks. Amazing the lengths people will go to to trick others isn't it? I'm sure that if Mr. Chu (or whatever he is really called) put as much effort into legitimate work then he would make just as much money as he gets from the poor souls who fall for this sort of thing...
 
Seraph said:
tis a scam lol someone else posted pretty much the same email last week :p in GD ;)
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Ah, well, this be my first login for about 6 months :o

big_white_dog84 said:
Hmm....I get that the job isn't real, but I can't work out how they are scamming you out of money? Are they making you send them money for the laptop or something similar?
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That's why I asked about it. I couldn't figure out where he planned to slip in a sudden urgent need for me to send a large sum of money. Still doesn't make sense, but whatever. (shrugs)
 
Can you at least continue the conversation until the point at which he asks you to cough up some money. :D Just for the lulz and to see it through :D
 
I've seen a job scam like this before, not exactly the same as the OP's but similar. If they string you on for long enough, what they'll eventually do is get you to wire some money over to them to secure your job position. Then of course, the job becomes non-existent and they run away with your moolah.
 
Seeing as he wants you approaching his "clients" for money I wonder if the scam could be funnelling money through your account to him abroad.

The "clients" would then be him or other scammers transferring money from compromised accounts.

That or Monserrat's prediction.
 
some of these are money laundering operations too, ive had a few of these after i put my CV on Monster.

OP wheres about in the USA are you ?
 
big_white_dog84 said:
Hmm....I get that the job isn't real, but I can't work out how they are scamming you out of money? Are they making you send them money for the laptop or something similar?
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Ive seen similar scams... Dobt they send you a cheque fir te computer stuff which is for more than the cost. They then ask you to send the change back, and a couple of weeks later the cheque turns out to be fraudulent so they have the money you sent?
 
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