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Tuesday 17 May 2011

Online Job Scams

There are hundreds of work from home typing and data entry jobs posted on the internet however, DO NOT FALL FOR THIS SCAM because that's all it is.  I have done quite a bit of research into this and I think that it is criminal conning already unemployed people out of cash that they clearly need for better things.  This is how it works:

People advertise using the following "catch phrases":


Home Based Typist / Data Entry Clerks Positions Available
Home Typist/ Data Entry Specialist
Worldwide Data Entry Clerk
Flexable Data Entry Clerk
NEW Data Entry Clerk OPPERTUNITY - this one cracks me up for obvious reasons
Flexable Data Entry Clerk Oppertunity - LOL, for the same reason as above
Data Entry Extreme Flexi clerk Oppertunity - ...and again
Data Entry Clerks
Data Entry Specialist/Home Typist Position Available
Easy Data Entry Clerk

Can you see the pattern that has emerged in the above list?
Typically - in almost all cases - the "job" promises to earn you in the region of R2,500 - R5,000 per week depending on whether you do this "full time" or "part time".
When you click on the link you will be requested to send an e-mail asking for more information.  Once done, you then receive the following e-mail (no editing has been done on this - it is exactly how I received it):
As home based data entry clerk/Typist, this requires that you have a reliable computer with constant Internet access, a valid E-mail account, basic Internet knowledge, and minimal typing skills.
You must also be able to conduct yourself in a professional manner. This includes having excellent grammar and spelling when communicating with clients via E-mail.
In addition to the above requirements, you MUST be able to follow instructions closely and completely! You will do all contact via E-mail, so you will not be required to call anyone at anytime. This allows you to work whichever hours are most convenient for you (days, night, or weekends). You will be processing applications, as well as filling out forms in specific company databases (this tends to be tedious at times, so please be sure that you have the patience to do so before proceeding). This is why you will need to have basic Internet knowledge, though the training provided will give you step-by-step instructions on how to perform these tasks properly.
There are no "down-times" with this position, so you will have a constant flow of work to complete. THIS IS NOT A GET RICH QUICK SCHEME, so if that is what you are looking for please do not pursue this opportunity.
The amount of money you make each week is entirely up to you, and how much time and effort you are willing to put in with this position. The average person makes R 2000 - R 4000 per week.
When you have been accepted as a Data Entry Clerk/Home Typist, you are considered an Independent Contractor. This means that your taxes will not be taken out; therefore, you will not be provided with any tax forms. THIS IS ENTIRELY YOUR RESPONSIBILITY. The training provided will go more in depth about what to do with your taxes.
You will receive your pay through whichever online payment portal you choose. When an application is completed, up to R 300.00 will be paid to you.
There is a one-time non-refundable fee for the training package. This also includes all the administration processing fees and training costs. We offer professional online support for as long as you may need us.

We must accept this fee to cover training costs, processing fees, as well as to ensure that only serious applicants apply. This is a non-refundable fee, so be sure that you understand what you are doing before sending in your payment for the training materials.
This fee will not be waived for anyone, and cannot be deducted from your first pay. This is because if you do not process applications, you will not have a first pay, and we will have already taken the time to set you up, and train you. Once your payment is received, you will be given immediate training.
You will need a word processing program in order to perform this position successfully (MS Word, Works, Open Office etc.) Once you have received the training materials, you can START working from home TODAY.
Most applicants typically complete the training within 24 hours or less. However, you can do this at your leisure.
Keep in mind that the sooner you go through the training materials, the sooner you will START earning money. I will be able to be contacted via E-mail at anytime after you have received your training materials to help you, or answer any questions you may have.
If you are serious about this position, meet all the requirements, and are responsible enough to work from home, then please contact me via E-mail and I will inform you of the cost of the training packet.
I hope to hear from you soon.

Kind regards

The people who place these ads all got suckered into buying an instruction manual which "teaches" them how to place an ad on the Internet (you are now a "home typist" or "data entry clerk") in order to re-sell the same manual that they bought.  So effectively, what they are doing is trying to get you to buy into the same scam that they bought into!  One thing that I do agree with wholeheartedly though is the fact that it is not a 'GET RICH QUICK SCHEME".  Oh, it is a scheme alright, but you ain't going to get rich by it at all.
The amazing thing about this are the sites that these "positions" are being advertised on.  I say this because this type of advertising is illegal in South Africa.  According to the Government Gazette it is misleading (http://www.info.gov.za/view/DownloadFileAction?id=73007) and yet nothing is being done about it!  You would expect some checks to be in place that can root out posts like this using specific key words.

Well done to East Coast Radio for doing a feature on Consumer Watch - you can read it by clicking the following link:

http://www.ecr.co.za/kagiso/content/en/east-coast-radio/east-coast-radio-blogs-consumerwatch?oid=995319&sn=Detail&pid=490476&Working-to-scam-others (Permission obtained in writing from ECR)

Unfortunately, there are people out there who are naive and if I can do anything to help educate them, then let this be my bit.  In the mean time, since I have all this time on my hands and nothing better to do with it, I am going to tackle this one fraudster at a time.  How?  By sending each person who has advertised this scam the link to the page in the Government Gazette that explains that if they are found to be in contravention of this act, they could be liable to pay a R200,000 fine or spend 5 years in jail or even both - that's how!  And I intend monitoring them, so be afraid... be very afraid.

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