ON-LINE JOB SEARCHERS

Investigators from the Peel Regional Police Fraud Bureau, want to alert the public about a fraud scam targeting on-line job searchers. 

The scam involves companies claiming they are based in Tokyo, Japan. They utilize on-line job search engines to promote fraudulent job postings. Professionals with expertise in the area of finance are often targeted. The applicant is led to believe, they are working for a legitimate company and are “hired” to broker cheques for the company. They are required to open a personal bank account in order to do this.

Cheques are sent to the victim, normally in the $10,000.00 to $50,000.00 range, to be deposited in their account and then the money wired to another location. When the bank realizes the cheques are fraudulent the victim now owes the value of the cheques.

This fraudulent trend differs from some others, where criminals send out bulk e-mails claiming to need help moving money out of a country, in that the victims believe they are working for a legitimate company.

Peel Regional Police would like to remind people that offers that seem too good to be true usually are. Also, use caution if any job posting or offer requires you to open a personal or Ontario Limited account.

Source:  PRP, Mar.21/2007