WARNING - Scam emails

Scam #1

We have been made aware fradulent offers of work in the United States. Part of the text of this is given below.

US COMPANY REPRESENTATIVE/BOOK KEEPERS NEEDED
Institute of Food Research Inc.
United Kingdom
Packages supplies

Hello,

My name is Tracy Williams. I am a freelance researcher, I would be very interested in offering you a part-time paying job in which you could earn a lot. I just set up an Institute for research scientist (Institute of Food Research) but i still work as a freelance consultant for other institute which gives me very much time to do my own work which is basically being a freelance researcher.

WHY YOU WERE CONTACTED:

We currently in need of Representatives across the States for our United Kingdom Branch for a part time job to receive payment and packages for the company.

Scam #2

We have recently been made aware of fraudulent attempts to rent property by people claiming to work for IFR. The text of the email is given below, another name used in this has been Gideon Cole.

My name is James W Cannon, I am a freelance researcher who reside in United Kingdom.I just resigned my job as a research scientist for IFR (Institute of Food Research) but i still work as a freelance consultant for the institute which gives me very much time to do my own work which is basically being a freelance researcher who could be employed by research institutes to do research projects anywhere in the world.

Presently, I have just been granted a funding to head a research project in the tropical regions of Asia regarding rare and vulnerable plant species and this would be commencing very soon, However my findings were by my American counterparts.So i will be staying in the states for a while before heading to Asia to round up my research.

Please for the fact that i will not be here in the state to check the apartment,i will like you to feed me with more details about the properties i.e

1)Details about the property including pictures if available.
2)Monthly rentals/security deposits and also if utilities is added.
3)When will it be available for move in
4)The total to move in i.e total amount i need made availble to hold the property.
I await your reply

Scam #3

A large number of hoax emails have been reported to IFR claiming to offer work opportunities from ex-IFR staff. Amongst the many names being used are:

Johan Lee, Bob Robert, Tracy Lee, Tracy Williams, Tracy Fines, Michael Nehamkin, Crystal Berry, Cindy Williams, Michael Crook, Steve Jackson, Andrew Smith, Mark Wheeler, Mark Ossinga, Camilla Harker, George Wayne, Peter Bradbury, Marylin Adams, Michelle Patty, Mike Maxwell, Fredric Allen, Abby Jackson, Wale Waves, Jay Rhodes, Jaie Rhodes, Carolyn Richards, Glen Davies, Davies Kelvin.

Please note that IFR never contacts members of the public directly unless they have specifically signed up to our mailing lists. IFR does not advertise job opportunities via unsolicited email and any such emails should be ignored.

There is a very good history of this type of scam at www.snopes.com/crime/fraud/reshipper.asp which details how the scam works. Similar scams offering job opportunities have been reported by other UK organisations. For example the Agricultural Research Institute of Northern Ireland, the Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute (AFBI) - and the ActionAid UK charity

Example of text contained in reshipper hoax email

My name is Cindy Williams,i am a freelance researcher.I would be very interested  in offering you a part-time paying job in which you could earn alot.I just resigned my  job as a research scientist for IFR(Institute of Food Research) but i still work as a freelance consultant for the instistute which gives me very much time to do my own work which is basically being a freelance researcher who could be employed by research institutes to do research projects anywhere in the world...

Please ignore all unsolicited emails, especially those reporting to be from ex-IFR staff offering job opportunities.

How To Avoid Falling Victim To Reshipper Scams:

• Avoid job listings that use these descriptions: "package forwarding," "reshipping," "money transfers," "wiring funds" and "foreign agent agreements." These and similar phrases should raise a red flag.
• Do not be fooled by official-sounding corporate names. Some scam artists operate under names that sound like those of long-standing, reputable firms.
• Never forward or transfer money from any of your personal accounts on behalf of your employer. Also, be suspicious if you are asked to "wire" money to an employer. If a legitimate job requires you to make money transfers, the money should be withdrawn from the employer’s business account, not yours.
• Do not give out your personal financial information. A potential legitimate employer will not request your bank account, credit card or Paypal account number. Provide your banking information only if you are hired by a legitimate company and you choose to have your paycheck direct deposited.
• Do not fax copies of your ID or Social Security number to someone you have never met. Credit checks and fake IDs can be obtained with this information. Give these documents to your employer only when you are physically at the place of employment.

 

NOTE: IFR never contacts members of the public directly unless they have specifically signed up to our mailing lists. IFR does not advertise job opportunities via unsolicited email and any such emails should be ignored.