Job seekers Beware!

A friend of mine has been looking for a job and interviewing. He received this offer letter, which he realized was a scam, and generously allowed me to post it. I want to show people the signs to look for, since many people are out there looking as well.

?I know that people really want to get a good job, and I know it’s emotionally and financially agonizing to be out of work. But these are the conditions that these scammers want.?Please be careful and, ask a friend if you think anything is ‘off’.

My comments are in [brackets], the mail is in “quotes”

The email was sent from: Humanresources <[email protected]>.?

[The name BadCo.com is a real domain. The BadcCocareer.com domain has nothing to do with them.]

[There is poor grammar, some extraneous spaces, and some silliness throughout, but some of these are written much better.]

“Hello NAME REDACTED,”

“Congratulations on joining?BadCo!??“

[Lots of space before the company name = room to insert many different names]

“Attached to this email is the company's Employment Offer Letter you need to sign. You are directed to print out this letter, read it carefully, append your signature, and email back the signed offer letter.”

[Printing this out would require you to open the attachment and we know how that goes...]

?“Please note that, on acceptance of this employment offer, the following equipment will be delivered to you to set up your home office, the funds for the purchase of the equipment will be made available to you prior to purchase and delivery.”

[The funds for the purchase of the equipment that you are sending me will be provided to me before I purchase them???Funds for equipment = Scam.]

“Please note that, on acceptance of this employment offer, the following equipment will be delivered to you to set up your home office, the funds for the purchase of the equipment will be made available to you prior to purchase and delivery.”

“*Apple Mac Studio M1 Max, 64GB RAM, 2TB SSD, Apple 27” Studio Display, 5K, HP LaserJet Pro M15w Printer, External hard drive/backup system, Headset with microphone, Networking and router capabilities, Surge Protectors and Automated Time Tracker, Proof Hub.”

[NICE setup! That's a few thousand dollars, and the backup is a nice ironic touch. BadCo must be a wonderful place to work!]

?“You are to attach to this document a copy of your valid ID (front and back) for employment confirmation and email it back with the signed offer letter.”

[I'm supposed to WHAT? For confirming I work for you??Send ID = BAD BAD BAD]

?“After signing this offer letter, the check to pay for the equipment listed above for your mini office will be mailed out to you, then you will begin training as soon as you take delivery of the equipment.”

[I am still confused about the check coming to pay for the stuff you're going to deliver? And why do I have to wait to start training? But still, Check = scam]

“Please note, the management of BadCo sees it fit to conduct our job interview/briefing process through email and instant messaging so as to determine an applicant's writing, typing, communication, and timing skills since communication and timing are an integral part of the FANCY TITLE HERE (Remote) position.”

[Clever, so that's why we have to communicate through What’s App. If you get any communication, and at any point they want to take the conversation to WhatsApp = STOP. Please. Also this explains why they can't call you. And note the use of the (Remote) tag to keep you happy that you get to work remotely.]

?“Note: Upon signing out this contract with the company you are bound by LAW to not destroy any of the company's property i.e: Equipment sent and delivered to you for your work or a Check sent to you for payment. Contravening any of these rules will render this contract null and void and penalties will be incurred.”

[So, destroying the fake check, to pay for the equipment that may or may not be delivered, and you may or may not have to buy - I'm still confused there - will get you in BIG trouble with the law, and render this worthless contract void and I have to pay penalties to the scammer? Well, at least they will have my banking information from the bad check to penalize me.?It’s the legal threat that is a big red flag].

Don't get scammed - be careful out there!