Cheque scam turns into advance fee fraud?

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Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 4:29 pm

I've been pursuing a job offer with the Elme oil and gas board. They want me to process cheque payments from their UK customers.

I've done all the usual stuff, answered their little questionaire, had a little chat on the phone with a representative.....

But today I get an unexpected email. They now want me to pay them a fee to seal the job offer. Confused

Are they turning this into a straight 419 scam? Are they not even going to send cheques at all?
Or are they merely making as much money as they can out of this by combining 2 scams?

I've not come across this before. Of course I'll be raising the issue of why I need to pay them, when it's them that's emplying me, so no worries bait wise....
But does anyone have other thoughts on this?

Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 4:34 pm

The way I understand it, the actual counterfeiter is outsourced. So maybe their guy fell through and they are just trying to come up with a way to make money.

Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 5:46 pm

I've had cheque scammers try to hit me with couriers fees, I figure they either want to make sure the representative is 'serious' or (more likely) they're trying to get more money out of you. I think it's good that they do this, as surely a real victim would figure something is up if a company wanting to process a $thousands payment couldnt afford a couple of hundred in couriers fees.

Another one of my cheque lads started going on about starting a company in my country but he needed help setting it up...I just told him I wasnt interested.

Baiting Guru Joined: 03 Mar 2006 Posts: 7103 Location: Yes

In my opinion they're just trying to squeeze you for more money. Sure, it's possible the lad's source of paper dried up, but it's not unheard of for companies to charge "servicing fees" and the like, so I'm sure the lad is just seeing if you'll bite. If not, I imagine he'll move along to Phase II.

Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 8:01 pm

<br>Maybe they have been scorched before and are just testing how committed you are and covering his bases? As previously said, they may not have funds to pay the fake check lads for their goods. Either way, I would tell them that you will deduct their employment fee from your first commission check as you don't have the reddies to pay them up front. Always bounce the ball back into their court.

Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 8:58 pm

One of my check scammers had a sudden liquidity crisis that required me to send $2500 dollars via Western Union ASAP.

Just an anecdote.

Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 9:05 pm

Fair enough, not so rare then. Cheers for the tips guys.

By the way, nice avatar! I have that picture too, he was Barrister Harry L00n when I got it.
Who is using that pic nowadays?

Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 10:27 pm

When I do a mail out looking for new customers. it's not unusual for 20-30% to want an advance fee. I either argue or ignore.

Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2007 12:56 am

@ mugatu - I get this from time to time too. I usually just say 'i don't have any money, if i had money i wouldn't be applying for a job'. They usually kick up a fuss, then i don't reply for a while and I get an email sometimes 2 weeks later saying "ok, the payment has been sent".

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