'Job Offer' Is Nothing But Phony Check Scam

A chance to help the world's orphans? Don't bet on it.

By Mark Huffman
ConsumerAffairs.com

September 27, 2007

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A spam email hitting inboxes throughout the U.S. offers recipients an easy, part-time job allowing them to make lots of money, while helping the world’s orphans. But those who fall for it will be out several thousand dollars.

The email purports to be from one Andy Mac, who says he lives in the United Kingdom and operates a home for orphans.

"We need to raise over millions a year - through generous supporters who donate their money, time or energy. These donations are crucial in helping us improve people's lives and rise to the challenges of society's changing needs,” the email states.

The problem, says Andy, is that donors in the U.S. are always sending money orders and cashier's checks, which, for some reason, are hard to process in the UK. It would be much easier, he says, if they money could be wired to his account.

That’s where you come in.

“All you need do is cash the money order, deduct your percentage (10%) and wire the rest back to us,” Andy says.

If you agree to be his U.S. “donations handler,” you will soon receive a cashier's check for around $5,000. To earn your $500 fee, you simply have to deposit the check in your personal account and wire Andy the $4,500 balance.

But the check will be fake. Once the back discovers that it’s a counterfeit, it will deduct the $4,500 from your account.

Job sites

In addition to using email spam, scammers also target jobseekers on job sites like Careerbuilder.com.

A year ago Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan warned consumers that scam artists were contacting job hunters through CareerBuilder.com regarding a "Donations Handler" position with an international housing charity.

The message claimed the charity was located in Norway and described the organization as being very similar to Habitat for Humanity.

The scammers reportedly have used different charity names, including: Abantehome.org, Adeonahome.org, Adriahome.org, Alenahome.org, Alstedehome.org, Amalia Int'l, Amaliahome.org, Concordia, DWIO.org, DIO, PWHome and Public Wish.

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