In this tough economical time, there are 1000's of scammers waiting for their next victim who is desperate to 'get rich quick' at any cost. One I came across created a website that seemed very professional, as they all do. First, they send an email that they saw your resume on Hotjobs. They claim to be one of the leading Real Estate Investment firms based in the US. The position they offer is for a customer service representative. They send a link to an agreement form which only asks for your signature and date of commencement to be emailed or faxed to them. Once received, you will be sent another email that screams scam (see below). Oh, and in the emails, they never have any contact information other than their name and position. If you call the main number, (619) 550-2494, you will always get a recorded message in which no one will ever return the call.

I implore anyone who receives an email from this company to delete it immediately!!! Wishing you all the best to being legitimately hired by an awesome company. Blessings to all.

HERE IS THE HORRIBLE SCAM MESSAGE:
How are you? I hope you’re fine. Tomorrow you're going to start your training and you’ll actually have to complete quite a few assignments, so let’s get started.

To begin with you must realize what my job is about. As a matter of fact I own a local coffee shop with Internet access but can easily continue my employment with Davies Estates.

I work in close contact with the Customer Service Representative (i.e. you) and our team of in-house and freelance staff. You are the first to keep me informed of any payments sent to me by property buyers, providing all relevant payment information and contact details required to handle the transaction. Once I receive the payment I’m supposed to forward it to our company account or some other destination as assigned.

I do not receive basic salary as I work on a commission fee basis. If I’m absent you’ll be handling transactions on my behalf each earning you up to 7% per transaction as and addition to your base salary. I use my business bank account to receive payments from customers, so if you own a business you’ll be able to use your business bank account, otherwise you can use your personal account.

During your trial you are supposed to handle at least one transaction. Let me make this point very clear using our current assignment as an example. Davies Estates needs to receive a deposit payment for the sold property. The buyer has confirmed that the payment is scheduled to go through within these few coming days. Once the transfer is made and funds are available in my account I have to forward it to the property owner.

Normally it’s done via bank transfer. But sometimes property owners prefer another way of receiving funds - money transfer systems like MoneyGram or Western Union. In such cases I have to physically withdraw cash from my bank account and then send it to the assigned destination via Western Union or MoneyGram. I’m yet to hear back from them as to which method of payment they prefer.

Davies Estates provides an escrow services for the investors – that’s why these transfers are not being made directly to the property owners.

Anyway you should be able to send payment using any of the above methods, and here’s what we’ll do to avoid possible mistakes.

1) You need to find the nearest locations of both MoneyGram and Western Union who can make international transfers and has sending limits up to $4000 - $5000 and email their addresses and phone numbers to me.

You can get this information by calling Western Union directly on 1-800-325-6000 and MoneyGram on 1-800-666-3947.

2) You should call your bank to find out:

How much you can withdraw from your account per day (via ATM and in person via the counter). The limits may be too low without you even knowing it, so please check this out.

Check with your bank if you can make international transfers and how much this will cost you.

If wire transfer has been made - does it go directly to your bank account or does it go thorough the correspondent bank?

3) I will provide the client with the banking details of yours for the transfer I’ve mentioned earlier so the details required from you are as follows:


Bank name:
Your Local Bank branch address:
Account holder name:

Account type (checking, savings etc.):
Account number:
Wire Routing:
ACH Routing:

4) I’ll need your current address to complete all necessary paperwork for the hiring process.

By giving me your account information you also agree with the following:

The Company will not reveal your 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 – even though they are properly insured against theft - other than those deposited in relation to the employment as agreed remuneration, and commissions.

I will also provide your details to our head office so they could arrange your first salary payment.

Email me back as soon as you gather the required information.

Regards,
Sally Levin
Finance Representative