Were you ever Con by Dodgy Employment Agencies on the Internet?

Job offers are sometimes NOT what they seem! Tough times and a difficult job market have resulted in numerous shameless job scams by dodgy companies out there. Have you see advertisements such as these?


Scam A: "Marketing/Customer Relations Executive"

Uses an "official" letterhead.
The job seeker is informed that he or she will be working overseas.
Before that, job seekers are requested to pay for the processing, procurement and acquisition of their necessary permit clearance documents with an "appointed" travel agent.
The employer mentions in the letter that all these fees will be "reimbursed later".
To seal the deal, the letterhead also includes an "official' signature by a legal advisor.

Scam B: Home-based Typist"

Company asks job seekers to pay a "fully refundable" deposit of $380 for copy-typing jobs.
The company emails the applicants directly and takes desperate measures to explain in great detail why they are legitimate.
Once the deposit is paid the contact person becomes very difficult to reach on the phone.
To make it more convincing, the person signs off with a "Dr" designation in the name.

Scam C:"Data Entry/ Filing Clerk"

Employer typically confirms and calls applicants (part-time) in for an interview but will request a payment of around $185 for administration or consultation fee. Once you have signed the "job agreement" and payment is made, the company will give excuses on why the applicant can't be hired. Excuses such as how the client's company has not made their selection or how they have been robbed and are under police investigation are not uncommon excuses. This might go on for a month or so and eventually, the applicant would be left jobless and $185 poorer.

So, after having read all three types of scam jobs, were you ever cheated?