Scammers Everywhere!

Philippines
July 24, 2011 9:00pm CST
There are a lot of scammers nowadays, both offline and online. Recently, my uncle searched for a job online. He found a job at UK so he applied to the employer. The employer responded, interviewed him through chat, gave him the terms and conditions of his job, and a lot more things. Always follows up on how is his passport doing and the papers. They chat everyday to follow the process. Then the employer said he needs to go through an agency based in UK so they will arrange his papers. The employer will pay 60% of the fees which is GBP(pounds) 1000 so it will be GBP 600 from employer. 40% will come from my uncle which is GBP 400. The employer also said if he is scammed he can file a case to the embassy and a lot of assurance thing. So he paid. He borrowed money to complete the money and sent the payment. He really needs the job badly. But last day, he told us (well his wife actually), it was just a scam. We don't know the complete details yet but they are so sad. We'll talk to them later. I'm sure he's really sad since he is in more debt because of borrowing money for that. I can't blame him. He researched first and everything seemed good and well. But it seems after paying, the employer just disappeared. I think they should complain to the embassy even if they don't get their money, at least this scam might stop, right? How about you guys? What measures do you take to not get scammed? What can you say?
4 people like this
18 responses
celticeagle
@celticeagle (159525)
• Boise, Idaho
25 Jul 11
I have a big box down on my landing with a printer in it I was trying to sell. If you want to read the entire story you can see it in my posts. I may try to sell it again but got so scammed unless I go by Ebay I probably won't do it. You really have to be careful. I wonder if your dad could have done a back check on this company. Anymore it pays to do so.
1 person likes this
Bannybanzie
@Bannybanzie (1397)
• Philippines
25 Jul 11
Hi! Well, it's not my dad but uncle.. yeah, I said they should have checked about it really well. They did and found a lot of good feedback.. I will encourage them when I see them to complain. That's the only way they could probably get their money back or at least stop this thing. Thanks and happy day!
1 person likes this
celticeagle
@celticeagle (159525)
• Boise, Idaho
25 Jul 11
Oh,- you had said something about your mom and so I just took for granted it was your dad. I hope they do complain so others will be aware. Maybe it will save people from sending the money.
Toni
@toniganzon (72279)
• Philippines
25 Jul 11
This news is just so sad and really there are a lot of bad people out there trying to cheat others. I really hate those people for taking money out of those who have less in life. I have received some employment offers abroad and they really look real and not scam. So what i did was to research about them and if i couldn't find any information about them i just ignore them. I usually ignore those who are direct hiring employees. If there is an agency, check the legitimacy of the agency in the government agencies responsible for this one like the POEA (Philippine Overseas Employment Administration).
Toni
@toniganzon (72279)
• Philippines
28 Jul 11
A direct hire could never be trusted at all and those feedbacks that they saw on the net were all false. That's why it's safe to contact the government and through agencies. They must not have researched properly. In checking for feedbacks, they could have check the profile of those giving feedback as well. I do it all the time. If you look at their profile and it's empty, no address, and no other information, definitely the same person is making it all up.
Bannybanzie
@Bannybanzie (1397)
• Philippines
28 Jul 11
Hi! Yes, that was a direct hiring (that's how he presented himself) so my uncle thought it's a better opportunity since he already has an employer then redirected him to an "agency".. They did research but all they found are positive feedbacks for the agency... It seems they are a big network and really set up everything for them.. so sad.. Thanks!
lampar
@lampar (7584)
• United States
25 Jul 11
Yes, i am one of the victim of online employment offer scam from UK too, they are very tricky, even the bank was conned by their fake banking documents and cashier cheque. My U.S base saving account bank only uncovered their counterfeit money orders and cashier cheque several months after i deposited the M.O and C.C, i gone through lengthy research and run around to confirm the authencity of the company, but all these precaution don't pay off because they are very smart and cunning criminals, where even the police department told me they can't do any thing about them since they are based in UK. and foreign country scamming American inside U.S. It is a very bad scenario where the law and the bank are unable to stop these foreign criminals from scamming American people. At this moment, the scam syndicate base outside U.S are having the upper hand and the law enforcement and consumer protection agency in U.S do not have any chance of catching up with these scammers at all, they are operating from outside U.S with much impunity conspiring with financial institutions to scam American people especially the retired seniors.
Bannybanzie
@Bannybanzie (1397)
• Philippines
28 Jul 11
Wow.. a lot of scammers are coming from "UK"... not that English men are scammers, but.. my grandma, aunt, uncle, and a friend all have been scammed with UK travel/work things.. OH my.. so we must be really cautious at such.. Thanks for sharing! I hope this teaches a lesson to everyone who reads this.
SpikeTheLobster
@SpikeTheLobster (6403)
•
25 Jul 11
Always report scams: they DO get investigated and the more people who know about them, the better. Any time someone asks me for money, I assume it's a scam. There is absolutely no reason I would PAY someone to do work for them. They should pay me. If they asked, in the example you gave, for money, I'd say "OK, take it out of the first wages you pay me".
Bannybanzie
@Bannybanzie (1397)
• Philippines
28 Jul 11
Hi! Yeah, I just hoped I was able to know it and investigate it myself. If I had only had the chance to do so, I could have helped and encouraged them not to get into it. They are not used to scams so they are easily lied to. But can't blame them too much either... the scam was perfectly planned and set up... Thanks for sharing!
Rams mylot
@rameshchow (4426)
• India
25 Jul 11
Scammers can also called as broker. They do not having common sense. They need only money. But that is also not permanent in their hands...
Bannybanzie
@Bannybanzie (1397)
• Philippines
28 Jul 11
Yeah.. thanks.
pahak627
@pahak627 (4558)
• Philippines
25 Jul 11
well, i know that there are lots of scammers but I don't know how to recognize them as I am not exposed to these incidents. I have a niece who applied for migrant visa in australia thru the internet and it was successful, all in her family are now living there. Another thing, my two (2) sons applied for jobs thru the internet also and they landed up with their respective jobs right now. My friend had personally encountered a scammer. This was for her supposed to be travel to uk. They had paid big sum of money and the result, they were scammed. We don't really know what measures to take.
Bannybanzie
@Bannybanzie (1397)
• Philippines
28 Jul 11
Hi! It seems like most scams are going to UK... Well, my grandma, aunt, uncle, and a friend all get scammed with going to UK for either work or just vacation... Well great that your family did not get into scams... Let's just all be careful.
KrauseHome
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
25 Jul 11
Personally it is So sad that there are so many SCAMS out there on the internet anymore when it comes to looking for work, and working for someone else. I have seen them on Craigslist for example more than you can count. When it comes to a job, unless it is an online Business with a product you receive in exchange for giving up some money, I would say NEVER give out money for work unless you know it is legit. There are too many SCAMS out there, and so anytime they ever ask for $$ I run not just walk as far from them if possible.
Bannybanzie
@Bannybanzie (1397)
• Philippines
28 Jul 11
Yeah.. it's just so sad. It was actually a work abroad but they contacted each other through the internet. I just hope I was able to guide him through the process first. I've been scammed once before and right now, if anything needs for payment (esp. "jobs"), I would go away right that moment. Thanks and happy day!
Patsie Hatley
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
25 Jul 11
hi Bannybanzie I am so sorry for your Uncle getting scammed out of his money like that.It seems like almost all the schemes that promise you will make big money are really mean scams to get money out of you then they will disappear never to be heard of again.Oh definitely I would complain to the embassy if I were him as they can stop those people from hurting others the same way. I go to scam busters on the net here in the USA if I am leery of a site and they usually keep track of most scams here in the US.Also you can go to Better Business Bureau too here\ in the US.
Bannybanzie
@Bannybanzie (1397)
• Philippines
25 Jul 11
Hi! Yes, that's what I will tell them later when we go there. They should file a complaint to the embassy. They might not get their money back, but obviously this is a big network of scammers. They did research in the internet and found lots of "positive feedbacks".. how could that be, right? It means very few to no people are really telling the truth about that.. Thanks and happy day!
ddaguno
@ddaguno (3107)
• Philippines
25 Jul 11
this is really sad. if i was in your uncle's place, i probably would have checked the authenticity first before i paid the money. I have been scammed before so now I'm more careful. this is a very expensive lesson for him and I hope he does get the money back. all the best dear.
Bannybanzie
@Bannybanzie (1397)
• Philippines
28 Jul 11
They did researched about the agency.. and all they found are positive feedbacks. They must be a huge network of scammers and they set up everything in favor of them..
hardworkinggurl
@hardworkinggurl (37063)
• United States
25 Jul 11
HI Banny This is sad what happened to your Uncle and I do hope he does file a complaint. Whether he gets anything out it or not but the more that do complain could actually get some action going towards the scammers as well. I do try to be careful at all times but as you know these darn scammers are so very tricky and luring so many in. To date I have not been scammed and do not hope to be someday but you betcha I would try as hard as possible to fight back in many different forms to get the word out as I am sure the scammers are out to get more then one. The more awareness we set out in public view the less probability for the scammers to continue doing such malice.
Bannybanzie
@Bannybanzie (1397)
• Philippines
28 Jul 11
Hi! Yeah, I would really encourage them to file a complaint even to the embassy. Yes, scammers are also upgrading their ways that if we are not very very careful enough, it will be really hard for us to tell they are just scammers. Thanks and happy day!
cathloe
@cathloe (184)
• Philippines
25 Jul 11
do you believe in Karma? scammers like those should be afraid of that word. these people do not have a heart to begin with. i hope they'll pay for what they've done to your uncle. and don't worry, everything will turn out fine. remember, if you're down, soon, you'll rise =)
Bannybanzie
@Bannybanzie (1397)
• Philippines
28 Jul 11
Hi! Well I don't believe in karma. But I do believe that what we sow is what we'll reap. Since they plant something evil, I'm sure in the end they will still be the losers. Yes, life is like a car's tire. Sometimes we're down, but eventually, we'll rise the top! Thanks and happy day!
rebel_woman06
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
25 Jul 11
I am sorry to hear about your Uncle getting scammed. I am very careful now, when it comes to applications where you have to dole out money even only a part of it. Most specially when it is being done online, i always have doubts on it, parting with some money. I just hope your Uncle could go to the embassy and be helped about it.
Bannybanzie
@Bannybanzie (1397)
• Philippines
28 Jul 11
Hi! Thank you very much .Guess what, the scammers even told him that "in case he gets scammed, he can file a complaint to the embassy"... Now I would really urge him to do that. It seems a really big network of scammers as the feedbacks in the internet are all positive.. How could that be unless they planned and set up everything.. Thanks and I really hope they find justice.
jiyeon21
@jiyeon21 (102)
• Philippines
25 Jul 11
YES! so many scammers i one of the victim also of those scammers... hahai
Bannybanzie
@Bannybanzie (1397)
• Philippines
28 Jul 11
Yeah... I've been a victim too..
fritzlopez
@fritzlopez (12)
•
25 Jul 11
We can't blame those people who really want to go abroad for them to provide a better life to their families. Sometimes we really don't know if it is a scam, I to had an experience the sad thing is that the one scammed me is my friend when I went to Dubai. So we should be careful always if there are opportunities here in our country never to venture abroad. It is just the same here and abroad, life in abroad is more difficult compare to our own place because you can ask help here if you don't have anything to eat.
Bannybanzie
@Bannybanzie (1397)
• Philippines
28 Jul 11
Yes, his life is so hard now. In fact, the money he used are just borrowed money. And there's is not even the slightest evidence of scam in it until they just lost communication after paying... SO sad..
secretbear
@secretbear (19448)
• Philippines
26 Jul 11
Hi Bannybanzie! That is just so sad. My co-worker's relative was also scammed just recently. And it was also about a job in the United Kingdom. The relative lost a lot of money, too and just like your uncle, the relative just borrowed it from someone and now, my co-worker and their family is helping the relative to pay for the debt. These scammers are really heartless. They take money from people without even taking where these people get the money from. They don't how how hard earning money is here in the country. They just don't care. The governments of all countries who take foreign workers should strengthen their surveillance and laws against these crimes. This is unforgivable. I haven't been scammed because I'm afraid of getting scammed so I don't easily trust online business or employment or something like that. I don't go into something that requires a lot of money because I don't like losing hard-earned money. I'd rather lose money on shopping. ^^ Anyway, good luck to your uncle.
Kayla Tsukino
@kaylachan (58238)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
25 Jul 11
Any employer who asks you to pay them directly for anything is automatically a scam. No self-respecting company would make such claims, and if they did agree to pay part, your share goes directly to whatever againces you use to pay for your passport, or whatever else you need to do. Purtchches anything etc. If they ask you to give them money don't. That's a tip-off right there. Scams are quite obvious if you're using common sense. Quite often it's a person pulling on your heart strings, or asking for large sums of money. Quite frankly the saying "if it looks too good to be true it probably is" is something to be taken into account. I'm sorry this happened to your uncle, but let that be a lesson for him. Look for things that seem to good to be true. Now chatting online through the interview process now that's a warning right there too. Learn the warning signs use common sense and you should be fine.
monasharma
@monasharma (967)
• India
25 Jul 11
There are lots of scams like this and we should ask the govt. to take some action against them..... I think the company or person who is offering some product or job should be registered by govt and have paid some amount of money to govt so that if they ran away,the investors can get there money from the govt. As In India,The insurance companies should have to pay SEBI,the amont of RS.200 crores...So that if the company went scam then the investors can get money from the SEBI. By this the investors are assured for their money and invests without any dilemma..... The money is in hands... Thanx
cupcakes_n_starrs
@cupcakes_n_starrs (305)
• United States
25 Jul 11
Sorry to hear about your uncle. Maybe all the good reviews were just faked? That's why I never believe something if they want money! I also don't have my bank account linked to paypal or anything just in case I make a mistake! I'd rather get payments by check and it take longer than find out someone took all my money. It's really sad when someone tries to get ahead and end up further behind! Scammers are truly heartless and should feel ashamed of themselves!