Warning: Fake Check or Money Mule Scam
Hot Scam Specifications:
Scam Type: Fake Check or Money Mule Scam
Fake Names: Mrs.Linda Charles
Offer Type: Job Offer
Scammer Location: Claims to be from Helsinki, Finland, but now based in Malaysia
Scammer Email: Yahoo.Co.UK
Based on the description of the job offer, we sensed that this is going to be a “fake check” scam. Just look at the job description:
1. Receive payment from Clients
2. Cash Payments at your Bank
3. Deduct 10% which will be your percentage/pay on Payment processed.
4. Forward balance after deduction of percentage/pay to any of the
offices you will be contacted to send payment to(Payment is to
forwarded either by Money Gram,Western Union Money Transfer or Bank
Transfer).
Case 1: You will receive a fake check (that looks absolutely real), and asked to remit cash money to other accounts belonging to the scammer.
Case 2: If you received real money from unknown source, beware you could be setup as a money mule. If caught, you may be prosecuted as a “helper” of the scammers.
In either case, the job offer sounds too good to be true. Why would someone offer you such an easy paying job when they can keep that 10% themselves. Do they really need an overseas representative who does not need to get out of their house to work?
They may also give all sorts of reasons to explain why they need you, and why you are the only person who can help them. But the fact that you are “special” is simply because you have been targeted to be scammed.
If you decide to proceed and “try this out”, please becareful of any personal information that you release to the scammers.
If they don’t make any money from you, they can still use your personal information against you.
—-Attached—-
From: “Mrs.Linda Charles” <mrs.lindacharles2@yahoo.co.uk>
Reply-To: mrslinda018@o2.pl
Subject: JOB OFFER
Date: Wed, 15 Aug 2007
Greetings,
I am Mrs Linda Charles. I am from Helsinki, Finland now based in Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia.
I got an office in Helsinki and here in Malaysia.I am a Tourism Consultant and have many clients in the United States. I need representatives in the United States, canada, Australia or any where in Europe as well to work from home and get paid and maybe a Visit to Europe as well.
JOB DESCRIPTION?
1. Receive payment from Clients
2. Cash Payments at your Bank
3. Deduct 10% which will be your percentage/pay on Payment processed.
4. Forward balance after deduction of percentage/pay to any of the offices you will be contacted to send payment to(Payment is to forwarded either by Money Gram,Western Union Money Transfer or Bank Transfer).
HOW MUCH WILL YOU EARN?
At the beginning your commission will equal 10%, later it will increase up to 12%
ADVANTAGES
You do not have to go out as you will work as an independent contractor right from your home office.
REQUIREMENTS
i) 18 years or older.
ii) Legally capable.
iii) Responsible, Reliable and Trustworthy.
iv) Ready to work 3-4 hours per week.
v) Able to check and acknowledge to emails often.
vi) Easy telephone access.
I hope all is well understood. I would be glad if you accept my proposal and I propose to commence as soon as you are ready. Please, to facilitate the conclusion of this transaction if accepted, do send promptly by e-mail the following details below.
If you are interested in this offer, please respond with the following details in order for us to reach you:
NAME:
ADDRESS:
CITY:
STATE:
ZIP CODE:
PHONE NUMBERS:
AGE:
SEX:
OCCUPATION :
Regards,
Mrs Linda Charles
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Hi, I am in the same situation of fake check scam. I was scammed about a job and getting 10%. The fake checks happened to cash and I used the money instead of sending it to the scammers. Now the Bank wants their money back. I have been threatened to be taken to the police if I fail to beat the deadline. What consequence can there be if am prosecuted?
Yobra
What to do?? I received a check that seems real, i Deposit it in my Country’s Bank … If the Check is fake would I be in serious problems?
As I was looking for employment via the internet, I received an email offering for a Personal Assistant position. The potential employer needed someone to ship packages, run errands, and do banking for him since he is a very busy executive and mostly out of the country. I was quickly “hired”, and he asked that I deposit the check into my own bank account, take out a designated portion for myself and that he would be sending the check via mail. Once I receive the check I was to deposit it into my bank account, take out my fee and Western Union the rest to another individual and supply the “employer” with the Western Union MTCN number. The check looks very real, but when doing an investigation, there is no branch located at the address on the check. Of course this is an out-of-state check. I guess he wants me to put it in my bank so that by the time someone figures it out, I will owe the money. I feel like taking it to the branch itself to see if it is real. Please advise…