[Tags: scam, internet, hints]
I just received an email offering a position with Advan LTD "Advan Group LTD". This is indeed another poor attempt at a scam.
How do I know this is a scam?
The senders address is different then the reply address provided in the email and the company has little history in a Google search.
Why am I writing about this?
Hopefully this blog will show up in search results and prevent potential victims. Since this is a new scam there were no search results for this company so I thought I should make some.
How does a scam have such a sophisticated website?
Anybody can create a professional looking website in a matter of minutes by copying an existing website. You can do this is Firefox by selecting File->Save as File->Webpage Complete. A scammer would then change the logo and text to coincide with the name of their fictional company.
What's the purpose of this scam
They want to get information from you... SS#(from application), bank account number (from direct deposit info), email address (for spamming), or they are going try get you to transfer your money to them using wires.
What are Common things to look for to spot a scam?
- Are they using a free email provider (ie: @gmail, @hotmail, @aol)? Reputable and professional companies have their own domain and use it in their emails (IE: @thesitename.com).
- Is the "reply to" address stated in the email? Is this different then senders email address? Scammers often distort the header to show different senders addresses so they get passed email filters
- Does the email provide a link to the companies website? Look up the urls registry info by going to http://whois.sc/thesitename.com. Check to see when it the registration was created and if the registry addresses match the companies address. If the website domain was just registered then this means the sender probably created the website just to scam people.
- Use Google and search for "the company scam" or that turns no results just search for the "company name with quotes".
- Does the email offer a Work at home opportunity? It is very hard to find a legitimate work at home job online so these should require extra caution before replying to
- Broken English, misspelling, poor grammar. Most of these scammers are foreigners and can not create a professional sounding email in english.
We have an opening position for your attention. This job offer is limited and can be offered for US citizens only. Our Company is looking for persons for part-time based vacancy. This is home based, online, part-time, fast-paced position. Part-time employees usually works over 4 hours every business day (from Monday through Friday) and typically do not work on weekends or regular holidays. During working process you will accept orders from our clients about purchase of tourist permit. Your starting salary will be from $3,500.00 (depending on employees plan), which will be paid to you in accordance with our standard payroll procedures. In addition, you will be eligible for bonuses. What we do? We buy/sell/exchange touristic tickets, tours, airline tickets, booking and etc. Our marketing management department decided to accept sales orders from international customers, that is why you are reading this job offer letter. During all working process you will be official representative of our company with full rights and standards. You will receive orders/payments/billing records/payment invoices/transactions from our clients, customers and investors Our part-time employees also receive an attractive benefits package. Please note that these opportunities are part-time only working approximately 16 hours per week. Actually we do not require any work experience or base requirements. This job if perfect for students, moms and those who are looking for good part-time/online job. This is a great chance to start your career with us, we are fast growing international company, donÂ’t waste your time, start your career right now. Hurry up, this job opportunity is limited.
If you are interested in our offer, we shall send you detailed description of the vacancy. Write to me on e-mail: maloof.marcie@gmail.com
You will get a response in 2-3 days.
Thanks for your time and interest.
NOTE: This is original e-mail letter from ADVAN LTD. This not any kind of: MLM, scam, spam. We will never ask to you to provide any kind of investments.
What should I do if I provided my information to scammers?
- Do not respond to further communications.
- If you sent bank Information: call your bank immediately and tell them what happened. They should be able to change your account number or cancel your account.
- You should consider signing up for automatic credit monitoring LifeLock Identity Theft Prevention
- You can also file a claim with The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) is a partnership between the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C), and the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). They are probably overloaded with these types of claim though, so I would not expect an individual response.
- If the email you received was different then the one posted in this post paste it below (or explain the differences) so others will find this warning.
If this post helped you I would appreciate if you left a comment so I know to keep posting these alerts. Thanks!
- Related Articles:
- Job Scam: Vacancy for you - Premier Group - CareerBuilder
- Craigslist Job Scam: Green Group Plastics LTD Office Administrator
- Finally I am getting the respect I deserve
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Tuesday October 14, 2008 @ 09:33 AM
Now that was a little odd because this post doesn't even show up in search results yet.
Tuesday October 21, 2008 @ 10:31 AM
You do show up in the search results, I found you on Google 1st page when I searched for "advan-group". I was pretty certian that this was a scam and reported it myself, but I figured I do a little digging as well. Keep posting, some may not see through the scam and you may save someone their credit and possibly jail-time.
Tuesday October 21, 2008 @ 11:27 AM
Thanks KS and glad you found the page...
Thursday October 30, 2008 @ 05:55 PM
Thank you so much for posting this blog as I was about to send in an application. I mean we all need to make a few extra dollars but something didn't feel right about this "job offer." Thank you so much for your prudence and sharing the information with others.
Thursday November 6, 2008 @ 04:06 PM
JOB OFFER
Company name Advan Group Ltd. Job title Sales Manager/Representative
Position type Virtual office/Part-time Salary From $3,500 + Employee plan
The following are some of the more significant benefits and terms and conditions of your employment.
Salary: Your starting salary will be from $3,500.00 (depending on employees plan), which will be paid to you in accordance with our standard payroll procedures. In addition, you will be eligible for bonuses.
*Employees plan offers:
a. 5% per each order processed and completed (for personal employees)
b. 5% per each order processed and completed (for check processing employees)
c. 9% per each order processed and completed (for business employees)
d. 5% per each order processed and completed (for PayPal employees)
Duties: The duties of your new position include:
You will be responsible to initiate, build and maintain long term relationships with small to reputable tourism companies and tourism operators across the world and drive sales from them. Previous sales experience is a benefit but optional. Tourism agency experience is highly desirable as the job is also an excellent fit for media directors/planners/buyers looking to move into the sales side. The position offers a very attractive base + commission + bonus structure. What we do? We buy/sell/exchange touristic tickets, tours, airline tickets, booking and etc. Our marketing management department decided to accept sales orders from international customers, that is why you are reading this job offer letter. During all working process you will be official representative of our company with full rights and standards. You will receive orders/payments/billing records/payment invoices/transactions from our clients, customers and investors. You will be part of our team, you career will grow-up very fast, you will have a fun working with us. This job will change your life forever, you’ll be a part of leading international company. Why we need you? According to the local and international law we cannot accept direct payments and orders from foreign company or person. In this case we have to open local Sales Office or hire official Sales Representative to process all the duties in full. You will receive transaction invoice before every order you have to proceed, to ensure. This job is great for moms, students, unemployed, self-employed and for every man with over 3 hours available a day. Don’t waste your time try your chances right now! You have nothing to lose.
Modifications of Benefits: We may, in our discretion, cancel or modify any of our employee benefits plans, including those describe above, at any time.
At-Will Employment: Should you decide to accept our offer, you will be an at-will employee with the company. This means the employment relationship can be terminated by either one of us at any time for any reason.
This offer will remain open until July, 2009. If you decide to accept our offer, as we hope you will, please follow instruction inside e-mail message.
*Employees plan offers:
1. Personal account plan. In this plan you will represent personal interests of our company on the territory of your country. In this plan you will work with our clients and partners, processing orders and making simple online office duties. You will use your own personal checking account for these purposes, according to international business rules and law. You will receive $3,500.00 monthly and + 5% bonus per each order completed.
2. Business account plan. In this plan you will represent business interests of our company on the territory of your country. You will work with dedicated and personal clients only. You will process orders from our business clients and private investors. You have to use your business bank account for these purposes due to the high volume of every transaction (approx. $20,000.00). This plan is very important for us and you will get $4,500.00 monthly and + 9% bonus per each order completed.
3. Check processing plan. This plan is very valuable for us. You will be a 3rd part of our team, representing our financial interests on the territory of your country. We will process orders from business investors, personal investors (low volume orders) and from corporative clients. You will make regular duties and do usual job functions. In this plan you will have a deal with low volume orders (over $1,000 - $5,000). You have to do this job with responsibility and without any delay. Your monthly salary will be $2,500.00 and of course you will get 5% bonus per each check successfully completed.
4. PayPal processing plan. This plan is very valuable for us. If you don’t want to work with personal accounts or business account transfer, this opportunity is perfect fo you. You don’t have to register new PayPal account, this is long-time and difficult process. You can operate with you own PayPal account, because this is secure and most safety way to transfer money to and from. You will be a 3rd part of our team, representing our financial interests on the territory of your country. We will process orders from personal and business investors and from corporative clients. You will make regular duties and do usual job functions. In this plan you will have a deal with low volume orders (over $500 - $1,000). You have to do this job with responsibility and without any delay. Your monthly salary will be $1,500.00 and of course you will get 5% bonus per each PayPal order successfully processed and completed.
Tuesday November 11, 2008 @ 09:27 AM
Thank you for exposing these people, although I have already sent the application with my personal information. I decided to research about them when they requested my bank information including online access. They got my passport no, and my driver's licence no. I am looking for employment and have been posting my resume online. I should researched before I sent the application. Thank a lot for this information.
Wednesday November 12, 2008 @ 03:19 AM
People, thank you very much for info!
I didn't send them anything due to your comments. Thank you again for vigilance!
Wednesday November 19, 2008 @ 05:09 PM
Hi ...
this is what I received last thursday November 13, 2008 :
""We have an opening position for your attention.
Tour Company is looking for persons for part-time based vacancy.
What we do? We buy/sell/exchange touristic tickets, tours, airline tickets, booking and etc. Our marketing management department decided to accept sales orders from international customers, that is why you are reading this job offer letter. During all working process you will be official representative of our company with full rights and standards. You will receive orders/payments/billing records/payment invoices/transactions from our clients, customers and investors
Your starting salary will be from $4,000.00 (depending on employees plan), which will be paid to you in accordance with our standard payroll procedures. In addition, you will be eligible for bonuses.
Actually we do not require any work experience or base requirements. This job if perfect for students, moms and those who are looking for good part-time/online job. This is a great chance to start your career with us, we are fast growing international company, don’t waste your time, start your career right now. Hurry up, this job opportunity is limited.
If you are interested in our offer, we shall send you detailed description of the vacancy.
Write to me on e-mail: demontis[at]adv-tour.net
You will get a response in 2-3 days. Thanks for your time and interest.
NOTE: “This is original e-mail letter from ADV LTD. This not any kind of: MLM, scam, spam. We will never ask to you to provide any kind of investments”.
Write to me on e-mail: demontis[at]adv-tour.net""
I want to say thank you for the informations, but i want to informe you that I was a victime for this scammer because they told me that i can travel to london for working at Brunel Hotel ...they took from me 500pounds, the money is not important for me but I'm fear now because I filled an application form contains my own information with my photo, also my passport number and a scan of my diplomat of the University , so what i have to do now ? is that dangerous ? and thanks a lot again
Wednesday November 19, 2008 @ 11:36 PM
Ouch that is pretty personal information and is potentially very dangerous. I suggest you enroll in some credit monitoring and cancel any accounts you gave them access to. Never give that type of information to people you met over the internet. And Remember, as far as email solicitations, if it sounds too good to be true it probably is!
Thursday November 20, 2008 @ 11:07 AM
I HAD A FEELING THIS WAS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE AND WHEN THEY WANTED MY PERSONAL INFO, I HESITATED AND STARTED RESEARCHING. I'M GLAD I DID! THANK YOU.
Friday November 21, 2008 @ 03:51 AM
Ohhh I have given them my Bank Account Number and sent application with my signature...What do I do now? please help me...
Friday November 21, 2008 @ 09:51 AM
Read the post three post up...
Monday November 24, 2008 @ 03:56 PM
Thanks and keep up the good work. I have won so many African and England lotteries that I am a Billionaire. I get these kinds of email all the time. One of the ways I get their attention is to reply and mention that my neighbor works for the FBI and he really didn't think this was leagal when I showed it to him.
Tuesday November 25, 2008 @ 11:45 AM
I sent my application with my signature...What do I do now? please help me...
Tuesday November 25, 2008 @ 11:48 AM
Umm "Anju".. Read the post two post up... Could this get any more repetitive?
Tuesday November 25, 2008 @ 11:48 AM
Which post to read please?
Tuesday November 25, 2008 @ 11:51 AM
I would suggest reading all of them. when your done view more here. And then if that wasn't enough info, use google and search for things like "how to spot scam", "I've been scammed"
Tuesday November 25, 2008 @ 11:52 AM
Thanks a lot, you have been of great help, thank you
Tuesday November 25, 2008 @ 12:04 PM
With my signature, can they do any harm to me?
Tuesday October 14, 2008 @ 08:46 AM
Keep posting! I received the same email. I really appreciate people like you. Thanks for the heads up!