Saturday, October 9, 2010

100 Assistants Job Scam More Information

Here are details I received back when I emailed to ask for additional information about the job as a "personal assistant".

Below in bold is the letter I received back:

Dear Job Applicant,

Thanks for your interest. We acknowledge receipt of your request. This part time position is still available (Personal Assistant, 2-3 hours a day, $500 / week, work from home mostly so no exact location).

For any additional information about this position, payment, how it works, etc please refer our corporate website and FAQ section (frequently asked questions).

If you are willing to work with us and have already studied our website, sign up the labor contract attached and send it back by email. You will find the contract attached. If you have any questions – please reply to this email.

Sincerely, Daniel Goldberg
Senior HR Manager
website: http://www.Assistants100.com
**************************************************
100 Assistants Services, LLC - Personal Assistants & Corporate Concierge Services
55 SW Miami Avenue Road, Miami, FL 33130


Notice this company has allegedly made a website for this company located at http://www.assistants100.com. The site when you do a whois is located in Russia shown below:

WHOIS information for assistants100.com :

[Querying whois.verisign-grs.com]
[whois.verisign-grs.com]

Whois Server Version 2.0

Domain names in the .com and .net domains can now be registered
with many different competing registrars. Go to http://www.internic.net
for detailed information.

Domain Name: ASSISTANTS100.COM
Registrar: REGIONAL NETWORK INFORMATION CENTER, JSC DBA RU-CENTER
Whois Server: whois.nic.ru
Referral URL: http://www.nic.ru
Name Server: NS1.BERNET.RU
Name Server: NS2.BERNET.RU
Status: clientTransferProhibited
Updated Date: 30-sep-2010
Creation Date: 30-sep-2010
Expiration Date: 30-sep-2011


I ventured into the website to try and find more information on the company but in the mean time I received an email back with a word document explaining more information about the company and also with a form you fill out and email back to the company to be hired for the position.

This is shown below in bold:


EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

Employment Agreement between "100 Assistants Services" LLC (the "Company") and ____________________________________ (the "Employee").

The Company employs the Employee on the following terms and conditions:

Salary

The payroll period is weekly. Your beginning rate of compensation is $26,000.00 Annual Salary ($500 every week, 52 weeks/year). In addition to this compensation, you will also be paid a commission based on customers’ bonus.

Probationary Period: The Company will pay Employee a salary of $1,000 for the services of the Employee during the two week trial period.

Payment is sent weekly by check or direct bank deposit.

The Employee will be provided with a corporate card to pay for out-of-pocket expenses, in accordance with our policies after you sign up a one year contract (upon successful completion of the test period).

Duties and Position

The Company hires the Employee in the capacity of a Personal Assistant. The Employee's duties:

1. Planning, organizing and research
2. Providing enthusiastic, professional, quality service to our customers. Processing various inquiries to enhance their quality of life.
3. Assisting with corporate & personal shopping / acquisition (includes providing thoughtful ideas, locating, purchasing, wrapping and delivering as needed)
4. You must possess fluent knowledge of the city and geography of surrounding areas; as well as knowledge of the restaurants, amenities, clubs and tourism industries to provide to hotel guests.
5. Making arrangements for VIP or out-of-town guests (which includes: ideas, researching, scheduling, booking, communication, and follow-up as needed)
6. Making entertainment arrangements (which includes: ideas, researching, scheduling and booking, communication, and follow-up as needed).
Time of work

This is not a fulltime position. The Employee can choose a suitable time to perform duties and fulfill the expectations of the position. This is a home-based position. Employees are encouraged to combine this work with other activities, ensuring that all duties are being performed adequately for the Company. Average load is between two to three hours a day.


Confidentiality of Proprietary Information

The Employee agrees, during or after the term of this employment, not to reveal confidential information or trade secrets to any person, firm, corporation, or entity. The Company reserves the option to terminate the Employee’s agreement with the Company should this occur.

Disability

In the event that the Employee cannot perform the duties because of illness or incapacity, the Employee may take two weeks leave from the position. However, if the Employee is absent from work for any reason for a continuous period of over a month, the Company may terminate the Employee's employment, and the Company's obligations under this agreement will cease on that date.

Termination of Agreement

Without cause, the Company may terminate this agreement at any time upon 7 days written notice to the Employee. The Company may request that the Employee continue to perform his/her duties up to the date of termination. The Company will continue to pay the Employee the salary earned on any such transactions. If the employee has been working for more than 6 months by the day of termination, the Company will pay him $1,000. The Employee may also terminate employment upon 7 days' written notice to the Company. Employee may be required to perform his or her duties and will be paid the regular salary to the date of termination but shall not receive severance allowance. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this agreement, the Company may terminate the Employee's employment upon 7 days' notice to the Employee should any of the following events occur:

The client doesn’t receive adequate funds due to the Employee’s error or;
The Employee reveals confidential information or;
The Employee intentionally processes erroneous purchases.
The Employee does not demonstrate required work ethics and due diligence.


Effect of Prior Agreements

This Agreement supersedes any prior agreement between the Company, or any predecessor of the Company and the Employee, except that this agreement shall not affect or operate to reduce any benefit or compensation owing to the Employee of a kind elsewhere provided and not expressly provided in this agreement.


Severability

If, for any reason, any provision of this agreement is held invalid, all other provisions if this agreement shall remain in effect. If this agreement is held invalid or cannot be enforced, then to the full extent permitted by law, any prior agreement between the Company (or any predecessor thereof) and the Employee shall be deemed reinstated as if this agreement had not been executed.



Oral Modifications Not Binding

This instrument is the entire agreement between the Company and the Employee. Oral changes have no effect. It may be altered only by a written agreement signed by the party against whom enforcement of any waiver, change, modification, extension, or discharge is sought.


Signed on the__th of __________ 2010.


______________________________ ____________________________

Company Employee

100 Assistants Services, LLC
55 SW Miami Avenue Road, Miami, FL 33130
Telephone: (305) 407-2595
Fax: (305) 513-5827
www.Assistants100.com
ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS

First name _______________________________________________
Last name _______________________________________________
Country _______________________________________________
State (Province) _______________________________________________
City _______________________________________________
Address _______________________________________________
Zip (Postal) _______________________________________________
Home phone _______________________________________________
Cell phone _______________________________________________
Email _______________________________________________

____________________________
Employee signature


Looking at the website you will notice the following messages at the very top:

* #2 Website of the Year - Time
* Editors Choice Award - PC Plus
* "Top virtual concierge service" - Tim Ferriss


I think it is funny the website creators have to show the site has an "Editor's Choice Award" from something called PC Plus, and also a #2 (they are a close second to whatever the #1 website of the year is from Time Magazine, and they supposedly take a quote from a Tim Terriss that says, "Top Virtual Concierge Service". But funny, I can't find anything from Tim Terriss that endorses this so I've emailed his website to ask if he was aware his good name was used on a fake job website from Russia. (We'll see if he replies to me on this comment.)

Also the video showing below shows only 8 seconds of video and then stops even though it appears to try and allude to show the whole video is actually available to be seen as much longer. Here are two sceen shots:


The first one below is the actual complete screen. Please click on it to enlarge it:



Secondly here's the screen showing what would appear to be a much longer video but you just can't play the video beyond the eight seconds the scam wants you to see:



And finally just to understand the job, here are the Frequently Asked Questions from the website directly:

Frequently Asked Questions about this position:


What will I be doing?
Virtual Personal Assistant is a home-based part-time job (combination of a virtual online assistant and a personal assistant in your area).

***You will be assisting customers on any matter remotely, from home, collecting information, doing various internet researches and phone calls that focus on your assigned location.

***You must have Internet access, phone number, and be available to receive assignments during the day.

***Spend time searching for products and services, doing various researches on behalf of clients online and contacting vendors in your area. Shopping, acquisitions, and assist with corporate and personal gifting (providing thoughtful ideas, locating and purchasing, wrapping and delivering as needed)
***Develop and maintain key relationships with vendors
***Make all pre-arrangements for our customers and provide assistance with requests if customers stay in your area.

*


How much and when am I paid?

- $26,000 Annual salary ($1,000 every two weeks) - You may also be receiving additional bonuses directly from our clients up to their opinion.
- 10% pay increase at six-month intervals
- Five-day workweek, no Sundays required
- Medical, dental, disability, and life insurance with dependent option after 60 days
- 401(k) with company match
Is this position available in my state/city?

Yes. Most tasks are possible to do over the phone / in the Internet. However, you might need to look for somethig or make arrangments in your area. So be ready to work on something in your area.


I am interested. What next? How to apply?


Click here to Download and Fill out this Application Form!
Then save it and send it to info@100assistants.com




When will I be able to start?

This position is available for immediate employment! You must be ready to start within couple next days. It may take us one or several days to review your information/resume attached/ after you register online. Please do not apply if you cannot start within next 7days.
If your application form and resume is fine, you will receive a phone call or email with your user login and password information, and employment confirmation in order to start with a test period.


What's my schedule? How much time a day would I be spending?

- Personal Assistant / shopper is a part-time position. Your working schedule looks as follows:
- Assignments from home (2-3 hours a day), flexible schedule.
- inquire about products/services from your local vendors.


Where is this job located?

Most assignments are handled from home on the phone/internet or by visiting places and meeting people in your locality. You do not need to move anywhere. There are open positions in your state.


What are primary communication means?

Due to a large number of applications, it is not possible to arrange an interview with every applicant. The primary communication means are Internet and/or telephone. The best way is to send an email to info@100assistants.com or give us a call at (786) 623-5529


Am I responsible for paying taxes?

When you fill out the W-4, make sure you are withholding enough money. Federal taxes should account for at least ten percent of your income. Specific rules differ for each state, but you can find complete federal information by visiting http://www.irs.gov/.


Do I need to fill out any paperwork before I start?

You were sent our employment confirmation and employment contract. You must retain a written consent to start employment with us. You will start with a two week test period as a subcontractor. You will be paid $1,000 for the two week period. Once you see this job is for you and our HR Manager provides you with a positive feedback we will offer you a longer 1 year contract that must sing.


What education and experience is required to apply?

- High School, College or University Diploma
- Previous Experience as a Personal Assistant, Customer Care Rep., RND, PA / EA is well appreciated but not necessary.


Is there any interview required?

There're no fixed arrangements of the interview procedures for this type of hiring program. Our HR Department receives over 500 applications daily. We are not able to meet with everybody in person. Upon successful completion of the test period you will be required to meet with our agent in your state or visit our corporate office for an interview.


How does this "test period" work?

- There is a two week test / probationary period with the same salary level ($1,000 / two weeks).
- You will be assigned a supervisor to help you perform incoming assignments. This period is required for you to understand if this is the type job you have been looking for and also help our supervisor determine if you fit all requirements to continue part time employment as a personal assistant / shopper at 100 Assistants LLC.
- To make it simpler, you will be receiving all assignments directly from supervisor your by email during the two week test period. All requests are from our customers directly, or for our company internal needs (such as local infrastructure research).
- Upon successful completion you will be suggested to sign a longer term contract, granted access to our online client area, and issued a corporate card to cover customer expenses if required.


If I need to order certain service(s) or pay for something on behalf of the customer - how does it work? I mean, do I have to pay out of my pocket in advance?

No, You do not have to pay for anything in advance.
- Every spending during your approbation period (list of items, travelling expenses, shipping, additional expenses, total cost etc) must be confirmed with our customer first. Once confirmed, the required amount is transferred to your credit card or bank account so you can take care of everything.
-Upon successful completion of your approbation period, you are provided with a credit card to cover all required expenses. Make sure to provide all receipts before 25th every month.

How do I send my application form?

You must fill out the form in Microsoft Word or complicant and send by email.


How do I start my first day?

You will be sent employment confirmation and your 1st assignment along with instructions. You must confirm by email that you start working on your 1st assignment.


Do I need to report for work every day?

Yes, you have to update the status of your active assignment by email so your direct manager knows the status. If you have no assignments, send an email and request for more tasks.

Can I work as VIP Assistant and somewhere else at the same time?

Yes it's possible to combine this part time with other job. However, you must make sure you can work on local assignments (when yournot more than once per week.


How many assignments will I be betting?

We will try to avoid very urgent tasks while you are on the test period (two weeks). Your average task will be due in 2-3 days.

How do I send my reports?

1) You must have Microsoft Word installed and provide your reports in DOC/DOCX formats. Other formats are not acceptable.

2) You must return all tasks in attachments. Do not send your tasks in the body of your email.


How does my working day looks like?

1) You may start your day any time you like and keep your schedule as flexible as you like as long as you have your task deadline in mind.

2) You must always be available on the phone if your manager needs to reach you. Make sure you specify your valid phone number in your application form.

How do I know my task is completed?

Your manager has more people besides you and may be busy with someone else. You should expect response same day (from 30 minutes to several hours).


What to do if I have no tasks one day?

It is OK if you have not received your task one day, you will receive more tasks next day. Your work day in average is 2-3 hours.


I will respond more tomorrow regarding the information that is in the FAQ's on the website to explain why I feel beyond any doubt this job is non-existent and a scam. The comments are open without moderation until tomorrow so if you have a comment, please feel free to post one. Please be considerate.

Have a good weekend!!

20 comments:

Unknown said...

Hello,

I thought this was too good to be true. I and my boyfriend both submitted our information. I wonder what they can do with our name and address.

do you know anything else about this job?

Anonymous said...

I live in sacramento and was taken by this scam and am trying to figure out a way to stop him.

Anonymous said...

Looked far too good to be true and being skeptical I looked for more information on this company.

Unfortunately I am unemployed at the time so was very intrigued by this "offer" but turns out to be just more unethical people looking to take advantage of people.

Thank you for your efforts to expose scams.

pointman said...

100 Assistants is definitely some sort of Scam . They got me for two weeks. I have no idea what they are doing with the information but they are definitely up to no good. I'm turning it over to the FBI internet Fraud Enforcement

Anonymous said...

They are now using this exact scam under the company name "Magic Services". Upon further investigation, it appears they have copied the "AskSunday" (legitimate personal assistant company) website almost verbatim. This is where the quotes on top come from. Glad you had this up here, I couldn't find much else on the internet. Hopefully, people will see this when they look for Magic Services.

Anonymous said...

i got an email from matt jacobs the HR mananger/supervisor of Magic Services which is a part time assistant via over the internet. Everything you said are correct what he sent me. i am wondering what he will do with our name and address because i didn't give any bank info. someone needs to report it and i am going to report. it is a shame that people take advantage of those who are unemployed and like the saying goes some things are just too good to be true.

בלי גבולות said...

I just received this letter in the mail from a man called Christopher J. Smith on behalf of HR at Helping Hands. from this address: hr.jeremyrobinson@yahoo.com

Simply shameful!

Anonymous said...

I just received one from michaelhopwerth@yahoo.com. Website is www.capital-plan.com for a company called Rochester, Inc. They list NBC, Hardees, Aston Hotels and Resorts as some of their clients.
I originally received an email from analidiaa@hotmail.com as Careerbuilder listing and when I responded for more information, I received the email from "Michael Hopwerth."

Sounded too good to be true. I was suspicious when I read that they deposit money in your bank account or credit card account to cover intial spending costs during trial period.

I'm so glad that I found this exposing email job scams website!

Anonymous said...

I just recieved thos same thing only this time they are calling themselves Rochester Inc. with a website address of www.ctiny.com. and the HR manager is Daniel Roche. Honestly his last name compared with the company name was a red flag for me.

Anonymous said...

I got the same email from "Daniel Roche" at Rochester, Inc. Thankfully, I'm super suspicious and when I couldn't confirm any of their credentials from their website I realized this is just a scam. The fact that what I received and saw on their website is almost verbatim what's on here only confirms it.

Anonymous said...

I too fell for this from a so called company in New York called Rochester, Inc. Then the application had magic services on it. I had to do a lot of digging to find out this was a scam. However, I applied to the position before having this information. Anyone know where to report it or what they can do with your basic information?

Anonymous said...

Has anyone made money from Rochester Inc. I fell for this scam too. But I wanted to give it a try because I am unemployed. I actually did a couple of assignments with them. But I couldn't find Rochester Inc located anywhere. I think the address that was given is an address for a virtual office. Well, maybe I will be paid. But I doubt it.

Anonymous said...

wonder if they give everyone the same "Tasks"?
1st was fat girl looking for a diet
2nd was a client that wanted to buy a painting from Russia
they keep asking: how do you want to be paid - direct deposit?? they will get your bank info if you are not careful

Anonymous said...

Contacted by Daniel Roche at Rochester. I fell for it too until I got the assignment for the Russian artist. As an artist myself, this sounded like a lot of B.S. Had the same tasks as someone previously mentioned; i.e., fat girl and painting from Russia. Amazingly, I forwarded the information to "Daniel" with all the commentary about their scam, and he continues to ask me to forward the invoice for the artist and to complete my final task before I am paid. Some Russian group trying to scam money. Be careful. Their is a Federal Internet scam reporting agency.

Anonymous said...

THIS IS A MONEY LAUNDERING OPERATION
IF YOU ACTUALLY FORWARD THE MONEY AS REQUESTED
YOU CAN BE PROSECUTED FOR COMMITING CRIME
EVEN IF U R UNAWARE AT THE TIME
IF CONTACTED - FILE REPORT WITH THE IC3 & FTC

Acapitano7 said...

I also was contacted by Daniel Roche, also with the artist task. However, I only use prepaid cards, so no way to transfer the money. SHorly after I recieved almost the exact same assignment from another company. I forwarded this to Daniel, to which he told me to disregard it and that it was a test to tryout for subcompanies. I am still waiting to be paid. He has made many excuses for not paying me yet. He has ran out of excuses and now I have not recieved any communication from him.I saved all his emails and voicemails.I have Master's degree in Criminal Justice and am trying to put a case together to put this scamster out of business. IF ANYONE HAS ANY INFORMATION THAT MIGHT BE RELEVANT PLEASE FEEL FREE TO EMAIL ME AT EITHER MY GOOGLE ACCOUNT OR ACAPITAO7@AOL.COM. i WANT TO TAKE THIS MAN AND HIS "COMPANY" DOWN FOR GOOD.

IF YOU RECIEVE AN EMAIL FROM THIS MAN, CONTACT THE IC3 AND ANY OTHER AGENCIES YOU THINK WILL HELP.

Unknown said...

Great article - The advantage of hiring a virtual personal assistant over regular employee is that it offer cost efficient solution for the company. To know more about our company visit at -www.evirtualservices.com.

Anonymous said...

I believe that I am currently being scammed by a woman claiming to be Trisha Scott with an email: .

I responded at an advertisement posted on craigslist about Hotel Concierge work in Charleston, SC. This "Trisha Scott" then wrote me stating, the concierge position had already been filled, but she had an opening for a personal assistant. AN ONLINE PERSONAL ASSISTANT! Go figure. After "she" emailed me information about checking on foster homes I requested to speak wit her via telephone. < No response.

So here is it, nearly a week later, and I have only submitted my home address and telephone number...twice.
This morning I get an email stating that a check has been mailed via USPS for completing my first assignment. Thing is, I havent done ANYTHING yet!

Also, I have been emailing a representative named Mark Marvel (email: allegisgroup@yandex.com) from a company by the name of Allegis Group about a Customer Evaluation position (again, I responded to a CL work from home AD). I am skeptical about this as well, because I had to give my home address and a passport sized photo in order for my "application" to be approved.

I really hope that no major fraud can come from these types of endeavors, because my sincere intentions were to find summer work. if anyone has heard of / worked for these / recognize these names as scams or legit, please comment back!

Michael said...

This person is back under the name of Pilot Inc. americanpilot.org will get you to there site. The FAQS section of the website list word for word what you listed in original blog. Only difference is monthly pay now 2500.00. My "HR" manager is calling himself Tony Sims email tonysims_hr@hotmail.com. Phone number listed is 347-269-0701 or 0702 http://americanpilot.org/faqs. This will take you directly to the site. Not sure what they are scamming, but my first "assignment" involved emailing a Russian artist in Russia for a painting that a client wants. Money is no issue. Took me all day to find something that linked this scam. I found it here. The domain name is registered to Tony at 20801 Biscayne blvd in Miami. Another connection.

Anonymous said...

I' must say these scam artist are very clever but I warned Tony Sims on pilot inc and I had so many projects but I'm good at what I do, now when I warned him about my acct and told him about the scams that are going on he has not emailed me back and not only when I try and go back onto the web site to log in it's saying that there is no connection it's a scam!!! I'm hurt but glad that I caught up with it before I got did over. They don't give you the suite number they working in, and also their emailing and signature is not professional, I will report this scam to the Better business bureau, now I'm trying to see how to get this time tracking device off of my computer...looked to good to be true. I pray God expose them because they have messed with an anointed woman of God...what's done in the dark comes to the light