So I was contacted for a job opportunity, but it sounds like a scam. What do you think?

[Orrex]

I'm reluctant to give the name of the company or a website, because I don't want to generate traffic for them if it is indeed a scam. However, from the limited information that they gave me, one of the requirements for employment is that my bank account must have a clean record. Not my credit rating, mind you, but my actual bank account.

The reason, as far as I can tell, is that the job wound entail clients wiring money into my account--for some kind of payment, apparently--and me wiring the money back out again.

I worked in financial services for ten years, and I dealt extensively with wires, and I never once heard of anything like this. Clients would wire money into my company's account, or the company would wire money to the clients' accounts, but we would never wire money to a third party for that third party to wire it to the client.

Does this sound even remotely legitimate? It strikes me as almost guaranteed to result in money laundering or a suspicion of money laundering.


What do you think?

[Rabrrrrrr]

1. Scam. Totally illegitimate, I'm sure.

[Quantess]

2. Total scam.

Plus, another red flag is that they contacted you.

[Orrex]

10. Why shouldn't they contact me?!?

Are you suggesting that I'm anything less than a decent, upstanding citizen?!?


The nerve!

[Quantess]

19. LOL. It reminds me of a scam job offer I got, but at least I sent them my resume first.

It was off craigslist.

The email was in broken english, and they wanted me to cash checks for them because they were too busy to do it themselves.

[Dr Morbius]

3. I wouldn't be surprised a bit if it's entirely legal.

But I sure as hell wouldn't get involved. You are wise to be suspicious. At the minimum, if I were to do this, I would establish a new account in my name at a different bank than the one where I keep my actual money. I can't imagine anyone NOT taking this step. If the job requires you to use your existing account, screw 'em. Obviously, a new account would be entirely "clean," so there should be no issue if indeed this is what their real concern is.

[Gormy Cuss]

4. Nice post, Rico. n/t

[bif]

5. Let me guess. It's from a foreign country?

[Patiod]

6. I've heard of this, and it's a scam

It's a money-laundering deal, where people solicit others to transfer amounts just under $10K. Don't do it.

[Orrex]

9. So you're saying that I should ask them to give back my banking information?

Just kidding--I didn't reply to their solicitation at all. As soon as I read what it entailed, my BS detector started clanging.

[Patiod]

14. My SO runs into this stuff all the time

If any ad asks "are you interested in furthering your education", reply "NO"

[TZ]

7. I vote scam

BTW- your sigline made me laugh..:)

[Orrex]

11. Thanks!

And I think that the person I'm quoting has either put me on Ignore or is simply ignoring me. :evilgrin:

[Crabby Appleton]

8. Scam

http://www.ic3.gov/media/2009/091103.aspx

Further reporting has shown that the transfers are directed to the bank accounts
of willing or unwitting individuals within the United States. Most of these individuals
have been recruited via work-at-home advertisements, or have been contacted after
placing resumes on well-known job search web sites. These persons are often hired
to "process payments", or "transfer funds". They are told they will receive wire
transfers into their bank accounts. Shortly after funds are received, they are directed
to immediately forward most of the money overseas via wire transfer services such
as Western Union and Moneygram.

If you have experienced unauthorized funds transfers from your bank accounts, or
if you have been recruited via a work-at-home opportunity to receive transfers and
forward money overseas, please notify the IC3 by filing a complaint at
www.IC3.gov.

[MrScorpio]

12. Scamerino

Trust your instincts.

[struggle4progress]

13. If you decide not to take that job, here's another one:

First, memorize this script: Hey, I just found a big brown paper bag containing $200 000! I want to make sure somebody deserving gets this money. This is NOT a scam. To prove I'm on the up-and-up, I'll pull a dollar from the bag. See? Here's a dollar from the bag. There's 200 000 of them in there. You look like an honest and deserving person to me. Do you think you could use some of this money? But I need you to prove your trustworthiness. Can you get $25 000 from from your bank? We'll exchange, even-up. You give me the $25 000 and I'll give you the big brown paper bag containing $200 000!

[Dr. Strange]

15. Probably a scam.

Unless the business is centered in Ethiopia, in which case it's totally legit.

[Orrex]

16. It's actually out of Eritrea

Glad you said something!

[Dr. Strange]

18. Don't forget to ask them about V1A6RA.

To keep your UN1T looking shiny and proper.

[WinkyDink]

17. RUN!!!!!!!!

[av8rdave]

20. Run away. However, I might be able to put you in touch with a deposed African dictator...

[Lucian]

21. Is that company based out of Nigeria?

[Sanity Claws]

22. Scam