A "internet payment processing" scam listed this phone number as their fax number to return faxes to. Here's the body of the email (sent to me after I responded to the spam mail I received):
Hello XXXX,
thank you for the response. This is a work at home position which you can perform from any location as long as you have Internet access. For the first month the position you will be considered as an employee undergoing the trial period. After successful completion of the first month you will receive an official contract for permanent employment. In the attachments you will find the trial period agreement. Please read the agreement, complete, sign and forward back to us via email either in .pdf/.jpg or .doc/.txt format. Or send it by fax: +1-412-945-6004 For the commencement date you can state any date during the months of September-October that is convenient for you to begin working.
And here's the text from the attachment:
Internet Auction Group
529 E Ohio Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
USA
Confidential Page 9/24/2008
Detailed Job Description
The primary goal of the Administrative Assistant/Sales Support Representative is to provide local representation within the location of the auctioned item, provide our clients with convenient payment options, contribute to the sales force and add convenience to our service dedicated to individuals, businesses, and organizations worldwide.
You will be assisting our clients within Australia, the assistance to be provided will include: communication with buyers regarding shipping and payments, payment collections and currency conversions, managing data and correspondence, reporting to supervisor.
- Communicating with Clients
The clients you will communicate with by email have agreed to make the purchase, no need to convince or sell, instead provide assistance with the completion of the purchase. No client will contact you during initial stage of employment; you will simply receive all of the transferring details, and payments, along with step by step guidance from your supervisor via email. All communication with buyers and supervisor is by email.
- Managing Data
Along with the payments received from buyers you will be receiving details of these sales. These details will include items sold, price, and buyer's information.
- Forwarding of the Payments
Once you receive each payment you will be keeping 5% as commission and forwarding the rest to either the seller or other representative, whose information will be provided. It is crucial to complete forwarding of the payments in a time efficient manner.
- Correspondence
You will be submitting brief reports, weekly reports, and monthly reports. Weekly and monthly reports are to be done in Excel format.
Here is an example of a brief report:
Date: March 22, '08
Buyer: Glenn Hopkins
Item: Audemars Piguet
Price: $3,921.55AUD
Commission 5%: $196.00AUD
Fees: $180.00AUD
Forwarded to Galina Mirzu, Chisinau, Moldova: $3,545.55AUD / $3,191.00USD
Reference Numbers (MTCN) for Galina Mirzu: 165-389-5318
Confidential Page 2 9/24/2008
- Fees, and Transferring Procedures
All fees are covered by the company. The fees for transferring are simply deducted from the payment received. No client will contact you during initial stage of the trial period. After the first month of employment you will begin to have contact with the buyers via email in regards to collection of the payments. For the first month you will simply receive all of the transferring details, and payments, along with step by step guidance from your supervisor. You will be forwarding the received payments through western union transferring agents, they are located at the post offices; this allows instant currency conversions and instant payment transferring.
- Income and Taxes
Salary Part-Time
During the first month of employment which is considered as the training and step by step guidance period for new employees, for working part-time, 3hours per day, Monday-Friday; you will be paid 1,500AUD per month, plus 5% commission from every payment received and forwarded. The salary will be sent in the form of wire transfer directly to your account. After the first month of employment your base pay salary will go up to 2,000AUD per month, plus 5% commission. Saturday is an optional day for working; receive 10% instead of 5% for sales on Saturdays.
Salary Full-Time
During the first month of employment which is considered as the training and step by step guidance period for new employees, for working full-time, 6hours per day, Monday-Friday; you will be paid 3,000AUD per month, plus 5% commission from every payment received and forwarded. The salary will be sent in the form of wire transfer directly to your account. After the first month of employment your base pay salary will go up to 3,500AUD per month, plus 5% commission. Saturday is an optional day for working; receive 10% instead of 5% for sales on Saturdays.
Taxes
You will receive a monthly salary statement stating your total income. All applicable taxes are covered by the company.
The Commencement Date:____________________________________________________________
The Employee, __________________________, acknowledged the Detailed Job Description Outline,
First and Last Name
and signed ______________________________________, on the _________ of ___________, 2008.
Signature date month
Confidential Page3 9/24/2008
EMPLOYEE INFORMATION FORM
(Complete the Following Form)
Personal Information
First and Last Name:
Residential Phone Number:
Mobile Phone Number:
Address:
Date of Birth:
Hours
Preferred Working Hours (please write or type in X for the time you prefer):
Part-Time:
SHIFT A: 9:00am-12:00pm SHIFT B: 11:00am-2:00pm
SHIFT C: 12:00pm-3:00pm SHIFT D: 2:00pm-5:00pm
Full-Time:
SHIFT A: 9:00am-3:00pm SHIFT B: 11:00am-5:00pm
Payments
In order to receive payments from clients and your salary please provide with the account information:
Account Holder’s Name:
Type of Account (Checking, Savings, Business):
Name of Account (If Business):
Name of the Bank:
Account Number:
BSB Number:
The Company will not reveal these details; and will only remit agreed funds to the account at the times and dates specified prior each transaction. The Employee will not attempt to use any of the Company funds – other than those that are deposited in relation to the employment as agreed remuneration, and commissions.
The Commencement Date:____________________________________________________________
The Employee, __________________________, acknowledged the Detailed Job Description Outline,
First and Last Name
and signed ______________________________________, on the _________ of ___________, 2008.
Signature date month
Confidential Page 4 9/24/2008
VACATIONS, PAID LEAVES
The EMPLOYEE is entitled to a one month of paid vacation leave per year after working for the COMPANY for at least 6 months. The EMPLOYEE is entitled to two weeks of paid leave due to illnesses, sickness, and such, per year, after working for the COMPANY for at least 6 months.
WORKING DEADLINES
The EMPLOYEE will be receiving payments from buyers. EMPLOYEE must forward the payments in a time efficient manner - on the same day as the payment is received. If a payment is not forwarded within 24 hours without a valid reason the buyer will contact authorities who will in turn contact the EMPLOYEE; if the payment is not forwarded within 48 hours for any reason from time received the buyer will contact authorities who in turn will contact the EMPLOYEE; confidential information may be disclosed to authorities if required.
ASSURANCES
COMPANY agrees that all activity pursuant to this Agreement will be in accordance with all the applicable current federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations.
NON-DISCLOSURE OF TRADE SECRETS AND OTHER PROPRIETARY INFORMATION
EMPLOYEE agrees not to disclose or communicate, in any manner, either during or after EMPLOYEE’S agreement with COMPANY, information about COMPANY, its operations, or any other information, that relates to the business of COMPANY including, but not limited to: names of customers, strategies, operations, or any other information of any kind which would be deemed confidential, a trade secret, or other form of proprietary information of COMPANY. EMPLOYEE acknowledges that the above information is material and confidential and that it affects the profitability and reputation of COMPANY.
TERMINATION OF CONTRACT
This Work Contract can be terminated by EMPLOYEE only with a written 5 day notice, for any reasons. Under no circumstances can this contract be terminated on the same day as the termination is proposed by either EMPLOYEE or COMPANY. EMPLOYEE must provide a written 5 day notice and continue working for the COMPANY until the expiration of these 5 days, then the termination of contract will be valid. Once the EMPLOYEE signs this contract it is no longer possible to terminate this contract without a written 5 day notice.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned have executed this Work Contract. The parties hereto agree that facsimile and e-mail signatures shall be as effective as if originals.
A "internet payment processing" scam listed this phone number as their fax number to return faxes to. Here's the body of the email (sent to me after I responded to the spam mail I received):
Hello XXXX,
thank you for the response. This is a work at home position which you can perform from any location as long as you have Internet access. For the first month the position you will be considered as an employee undergoing the trial period. After successful completion of the first month you will receive an official contract for permanent employment. In the attachments you will find the trial period agreement. Please read the agreement, complete, sign and forward back to us via email either in .pdf/.jpg or .doc/.txt format. Or send it by fax: +1-412-945-6004 For the commencement date you can state any date during the months of September-October that is convenient for you to begin working.
And here's the text from the attachment:
Internet Auction Group
529 E Ohio Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
USA
Confidential Page 9/24/2008
Detailed Job Description
The primary goal of the Administrative Assistant/Sales Support Representative is to provide local representation within the location of the auctioned item, provide our clients with convenient payment options, contribute to the sales force and add convenience to our service dedicated to individuals, businesses, and organizations worldwide.
You will be assisting our clients within Australia, the assistance to be provided will include: communication with buyers regarding shipping and payments, payment collections and currency conversions, managing data and correspondence, reporting to supervisor.
- Communicating with Clients
The clients you will communicate with by email have agreed to make the purchase, no need to convince or sell, instead provide assistance with the completion of the purchase. No client will contact you during initial stage of employment; you will simply receive all of the transferring details, and payments, along with step by step guidance from your supervisor via email. All communication with buyers and supervisor is by email.
- Managing Data
Along with the payments received from buyers you will be receiving details of these sales. These details will include items sold, price, and buyer's information.
- Forwarding of the Payments
Once you receive each payment you will be keeping 5% as commission and forwarding the rest to either the seller or other representative, whose information will be provided. It is crucial to complete forwarding of the payments in a time efficient manner.
- Correspondence
You will be submitting brief reports, weekly reports, and monthly reports. Weekly and monthly reports are to be done in Excel format.
Here is an example of a brief report:
Date: March 22, '08
Buyer: Glenn Hopkins
Item: Audemars Piguet
Price: $3,921.55AUD
Commission 5%: $196.00AUD
Fees: $180.00AUD
Forwarded to Galina Mirzu, Chisinau, Moldova: $3,545.55AUD / $3,191.00USD
Reference Numbers (MTCN) for Galina Mirzu: 165-389-5318
Confidential Page 2 9/24/2008
- Fees, and Transferring Procedures
All fees are covered by the company. The fees for transferring are simply deducted from the payment received. No client will contact you during initial stage of the trial period. After the first month of employment you will begin to have contact with the buyers via email in regards to collection of the payments. For the first month you will simply receive all of the transferring details, and payments, along with step by step guidance from your supervisor. You will be forwarding the received payments through western union transferring agents, they are located at the post offices; this allows instant currency conversions and instant payment transferring.
- Income and Taxes
Salary Part-Time
During the first month of employment which is considered as the training and step by step guidance period for new employees, for working part-time, 3hours per day, Monday-Friday; you will be paid 1,500AUD per month, plus 5% commission from every payment received and forwarded. The salary will be sent in the form of wire transfer directly to your account. After the first month of employment your base pay salary will go up to 2,000AUD per month, plus 5% commission. Saturday is an optional day for working; receive 10% instead of 5% for sales on Saturdays.
Salary Full-Time
During the first month of employment which is considered as the training and step by step guidance period for new employees, for working full-time, 6hours per day, Monday-Friday; you will be paid 3,000AUD per month, plus 5% commission from every payment received and forwarded. The salary will be sent in the form of wire transfer directly to your account. After the first month of employment your base pay salary will go up to 3,500AUD per month, plus 5% commission. Saturday is an optional day for working; receive 10% instead of 5% for sales on Saturdays.
Taxes
You will receive a monthly salary statement stating your total income. All applicable taxes are covered by the company.
The Commencement Date:____________________________________________________________
The Employee, __________________________, acknowledged the Detailed Job Description Outline,
First and Last Name
and signed ______________________________________, on the _________ of ___________, 2008.
Signature date month
Confidential Page3 9/24/2008
EMPLOYEE INFORMATION FORM
(Complete the Following Form)
Personal Information
First and Last Name:
Residential Phone Number:
Mobile Phone Number:
Address:
Date of Birth:
Hours
Preferred Working Hours (please write or type in X for the time you prefer):
Part-Time:
SHIFT A: 9:00am-12:00pm SHIFT B: 11:00am-2:00pm
SHIFT C: 12:00pm-3:00pm SHIFT D: 2:00pm-5:00pm
Full-Time:
SHIFT A: 9:00am-3:00pm SHIFT B: 11:00am-5:00pm
Payments
In order to receive payments from clients and your salary please provide with the account information:
Account Holder’s Name:
Type of Account (Checking, Savings, Business):
Name of Account (If Business):
Name of the Bank:
Account Number:
BSB Number:
The Company will not reveal these details; and will only remit agreed funds to the account at the times and dates specified prior each transaction. The Employee will not attempt to use any of the Company funds – other than those that are deposited in relation to the employment as agreed remuneration, and commissions.
The Commencement Date:____________________________________________________________
The Employee, __________________________, acknowledged the Detailed Job Description Outline,
First and Last Name
and signed ______________________________________, on the _________ of ___________, 2008.
Signature date month
Confidential Page 4 9/24/2008
VACATIONS, PAID LEAVES
The EMPLOYEE is entitled to a one month of paid vacation leave per year after working for the COMPANY for at least 6 months. The EMPLOYEE is entitled to two weeks of paid leave due to illnesses, sickness, and such, per year, after working for the COMPANY for at least 6 months.
WORKING DEADLINES
The EMPLOYEE will be receiving payments from buyers. EMPLOYEE must forward the payments in a time efficient manner - on the same day as the payment is received. If a payment is not forwarded within 24 hours without a valid reason the buyer will contact authorities who will in turn contact the EMPLOYEE; if the payment is not forwarded within 48 hours for any reason from time received the buyer will contact authorities who in turn will contact the EMPLOYEE; confidential information may be disclosed to authorities if required.
ASSURANCES
COMPANY agrees that all activity pursuant to this Agreement will be in accordance with all the applicable current federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations.
NON-DISCLOSURE OF TRADE SECRETS AND OTHER PROPRIETARY INFORMATION
EMPLOYEE agrees not to disclose or communicate, in any manner, either during or after EMPLOYEE’S agreement with COMPANY, information about COMPANY, its operations, or any other information, that relates to the business of COMPANY including, but not limited to: names of customers, strategies, operations, or any other information of any kind which would be deemed confidential, a trade secret, or other form of proprietary information of COMPANY. EMPLOYEE acknowledges that the above information is material and confidential and that it affects the profitability and reputation of COMPANY.
TERMINATION OF CONTRACT
This Work Contract can be terminated by EMPLOYEE only with a written 5 day notice, for any reasons. Under no circumstances can this contract be terminated on the same day as the termination is proposed by either EMPLOYEE or COMPANY. EMPLOYEE must provide a written 5 day notice and continue working for the COMPANY until the expiration of these 5 days, then the termination of contract will be valid. Once the EMPLOYEE signs this contract it is no longer possible to terminate this contract without a written 5 day notice.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned have executed this Work Contract. The parties hereto agree that facsimile and e-mail signatures shall be as effective as if originals.
Additional notes: This "Internet Auction Group" exists, but may not be involved in this scam: I have no proof that the fax number listed is used by the real-life Internet Auction Group.
However, the real-life Internet Auction Group (and its associated companies Pittsburgh Camera Exchange, and Bernie's Photo Shop) appear to be rather disreputable camera deals, so... nothing of value is lost.