Bell Techlogix-Fraudulent Business using Bell Techlogix Name

Victim Location 21009

Type of a scam Employment

I was contacted about a potential job offer that was posted on an online freelance website, which I had applied to. They scheduled and conducted an interview with me via GoogleHangouts; when I tried to call them they said that the interview would be conducted exclusively there. Some phrases and wording that she messaged me were off that a native English speaker would find odd. A few red flags. For example, instead of saying "read these carefully," she messaged me "read these with care." She told me about the company, their abilities and assets, a full job description of what was expected of me, etc. She had me email them my tentative work schedule for hours I would be free, any conflicts, and the like. She said her son was in the Navy too and said congrats on my upcoming wedding.

The scammer Provided a check to allow me to purchase the start-up equipment, the back and front were sent via email, to be deposited. Funds were supposed to be used to order computer equipment and supplies from a vendor that were necessary for me to do my editing and proofreading computer-based job. After depositing it via mobile banking, she asked me the next day to withdraw the deposit amount in cash to give to the vendor which was a huge red flag. I told her no reputable business practice would do this and that I was not comfortable with it. For every objection I had she had a ready and half-reasonable answer. I went to the bank that day to report it, which was 24 hours after I had deposited it via mobile banking, and the bank agreed with me that it was a scam. The bank told me that their victims would be given a check that would bounce and that the victims would be asked to provide a transfer of funds from their own accounts instead. The transaction was reported in time to be stopped.

This scamming group created a full LinkedIn profile for their HR director who was hiring me. Their website is thorough. But little professional cues and actions were red flags: i.e. not asking for my schedule that week to see if I was free to talk the next day and they messaged me anyway; the icons/images associated with the email signature at the bottom of the hiring person "Kathleen Gilmore" did not look professional and were a bit fuzzy.