Desperate job seekers have become victims of online employment scams.
Police recently warned Calgarians about the threat of fraudsters who are posting fake online job postings for a clerk position with a local firm. According to the Calgary Police Service Economic Crimes Unit, the department has received reports from five people who have lost about $12,000 after falling victim to the fake postings.
“Once the victim applies for the position they are contacted and told that the company will hire them for a job with more responsibilities than what was initially advertised,” reads a Calgary police release.
“The fraudulent employer will then either send a cheque or e-transfer the victim money with instructions to withdraw the money, keep a small percentage, and use the money to get bitcoins from an ATM machine. The bitcoins are purchased and sent to the offenders. A short time later the e-transfer or cheque is deemed fraudulent and the victim is out of the money used to purchase the bitcoins.”
In lieu of the fraudulent contract, victims offer the scammers personal information such as their Social Insurance Number and banking information. So far, the fraudster used the company name of Pausa Finance, Pausa Financial, and Pausa Finance Limited. Police have warned that ads like these can appear under different names and job types.
If you experience fraud, contact police using the non-emergency number, 403-266-1234, or file an online report.
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