I had someone fill out my job request form the other day and I asked for more information before sending it out. It’s not unusual for clients to be vague when filling out the form so I usually do ask for more info when that’s the case. Glad I did as what she is outlining below is (I believe) a variation on the ‘receive the funds on my behalf, keep some for yourself and send the rest to me’ scam.  I believe this is money laundering and she may be targeting VAs in Australia so please spread the news to any other Aussie based VA networks you may belong to.

The fact she hasn’t addressed me personally below, even though she received a personal response from me, indicates she may have sent this to a group of VAs.

I did wonder if it was perhaps a slight chance of being real – if it were, then she would be needing to provide legal documentation for setting up a business bank account here and if it were me, I’d be involving Austrade to get their help as they are keen to promote business liaisons with different countries. Emily has indicated she’s in the US and has provided a phone number but I have no way of knowing if it’s real or not, unless I call it – I don’t intend doing that.

Anyway, here’s a copy of what was sent me as I hope this will alert anyone else who has been contacted about a similar ‘job’.

Hello Assistant,

I am very glad to read from you pretty soon, I really appreciate your effort writing to me. My name again is Emily Grant, I am a Geologist and I deal in the buying and selling of Gemstones all over the world. I get most of my stones from Asia, Middle east and Africa and after the final processing I make sales throughout the globe as well. I have many clients spread all over the World, But most of my clients are Aussies residing in Australia. I used to have a Personal Assistant in Australia that helps in my business transaction when it come to buying and selling of gemstones within Australia but unfortunately I lost her in an autocrash and since then my business in Australia has been retrogressing due to non availability of my personnel in collection of funds and distribution of goods to clients within Australia.

I contacted you because I am seeking someone to represent my business in Australia, You will be representing my business as a third party which your task will be collecting of funds from clients and after confirmation of these funds their goods will be released to them. You don’t need to be going all around to collect funds or demanding funds from our clients all what you need to do is to open a new bank account of our prescribed bank with online banking which will be monitored by only you on the internet and must have an ATM card due to collection of funds at the bank after or before banking hours should incase of emergency in transferring funds. You will be dealing with local clients and not buyers outside Australia for proper documentation in case of tax payment and other policy. For every transaction made 10% of the total funds will be yours and all expenses made will be deducted from the total fund as well. Proper documentation of all transaction will be recorded by you after collection of funds and transferring of funds to any designated person or representative around the world to keep our business going.

I am very sure these tasks are easy and can be taken care of by you.

If interested kindly get back to me by filling below..

N.B—- Respond all messages via email address given

FULL NAME:
ADDRESS:
CITY:
STATE:
CODE;
MOBILE PHONE NUMBER:
AGE:
MARITAL STATUS:
SEX:
NAME OF BANK(S):

Feel free to ask any questions.

Emily.