Scam Tip Report #816 - Western Union Survey Instructions


Scam ReporterScam Tips Received
Anonymous
Somewhere in United States
2011-08-02 20:07:30
Nigerian/419 Scam
1
+5 Western Union Survey Instructions 
 Scammer
  Information
Name:
Lighthouse Research / Joe Nelson / Sara Anderson / Lin Niu
Craigslist ETC Jobs ad seeking market research participants in exchange for $235 remuneration. Scammers sent via legit fed ex first overnight a cashier\'s check in the amount of $2,900, followed by this (third) email:

Good Morning,

Funds for the Western Union Evaluation will be delivered to your address this morning by FEDEX. Follow the below instructions to complete the Evaluation.

1.1 Deduct your compensation of $235 after cashing the received funds at your local bank.
1.2 Deduct another $200 for Western Union service fees.

Find the nearest Western Union outlet in your zip code to evaluate and pose as a customer making a wire transfer to a relative in WA. Make a wire transfer of the remainder funds after deduction of your compensation and other expenditures to the below information.

Receivers Name: Sara Nelson
Destination: 3834 24th Ave W, Seattle WA 98199

Be sure to observe how long it took you to get services, intelligence of the attendant and Customer service professionalism during the transfer process and under no circumstances should the Western Union Agents know this evaluation is being carried out on them.

Email me as soon as you make the transfer with the following information;
MTCN #, Name And Address Of Sender, Western Union outlet evaluated.

A questionnaire form regarding your overall experience with Western Union will be emailed to you after we receive the transfer information.

Thank you and get back to me as soon as the survey is completed today.

Sincerely,
Joe Anderson

I did NOT take the bait.
Follow Ups/Extra Information. Most recent is listed first.
I RECEIVED EMAIL ABOUT DURING A MYSTERY SHOP TYPE SETUP .....Today I received a check in the mail that really looked real. The email instructions came from David said: Good Morning,
Funds for the Western Union evaluation will be delivered to your address today by USPS. Follow the below instructions to complete the Evaluation.
1.1 Deduct your compensation of $150 after cashing the received funds at your local bank. 1.2 Deduct another $200 for Western Union service fees.
Find the nearest Western Union outlet in your zip code to evaluate and pose as a customer making a wire transfer to a relative in FL. Make a wire transfer of the remainder funds after deduction of your compensation and other expenditures to the below information.
Receivers Name: Victor Robinson Destination: 2875 South Ocean Blvd | Palm Beach | FL 33480
Be sure to observe how long it took you to get services, intelligence of the attendant and Customer service professionalism during the transfer process and under no circumstances should the Western Union Agents know this evaluation is being carried out on them.
Email me as soon as you make the transfer with the following information; MTCN #, Name And Address of Sender, Western Union outlet evaluated.
A questionnaire form regarding your overall experience with Western Union will be emailed to you after we receive the transfer information.
Thank you and get back to me as soon as the survey is completed today.
Sincerely, David Zeimer

No Name   (Benton, LA, United States) Added the following extra information on :2012-02-07 17:41:35
 Scammer
  Information
Name:
DAVID ZEIMER
Email Address:
TNS GLOBAL
Research panel ad- to make $150 doing local research on a Western Union transaction.
Very Generic info was sent to me-
Will overnight a check (no amount specified), cash when received and deduct $150 for your time and $200 for Western Union fee, go to local Western Union and transfer the balance to address in California.
I received a check that looked very legit from BP Global Industries, deposited check because bank said it had to clear (I would not send Any money without money clearing and followup with bank to make sure it could not be reversed).
The Check is under revue from Bank right now.
I just read about almost exact scam on your site from a link on Craigslist.

Angry Jim   (Summit, NJ, United States) Added the following extra information on :2012-02-02 15:09:41
 Scammer
  Information
Name:
David Zeimer/ TNS Global-- Craigslist
Email Address:
focusgroup@tnsglobal.us
Scam Website:
I got the same check and e-mails from quest marketing and research company The person 's name is Paul Hudson (market research analysis) received a check for $2850 told to keep hundred and $480 to wire the balance to someone in New York. If something sounds too good to be true , it likely is.

Anonymous   () Added the following extra information on :2012-01-12 18:20:04
 Scammer
  Information
Name:
kat
found an ad on craigslist about a research study regarding western union. same as the above claim. he sent me a check for 2800, told me to cash it at my local bank, etc etc... i just got an email this morning telling me that if i don't wire the money and give him the MTCN#, that it will be treated with legal actions. i'd love for this individual to get caught. what a jerk.

Anonymous   () Added the following extra information on :2011-09-08 02:03:55
 Scammer
  Information
Name:
Charles Hall
Email Address:
study@lighthouseresearch.org
Scam Website:
I responded to a Craigslist ad for a paid market research study. A couple of days later, I received an e-mail from "Charles Hall" who said he was the Market Research Coordinator at Lighthouse Research. The e-mail said that although the study I had inquired about was full, I could participate in a study about Western Union customer service, which would pay $300.
I responded that I would like to participate, and a couple of days later I received a FedEx package with a check from a credit union in Pennsylvania for over $2,800, as well as another e-mail from Charles. This e-mail instructed me to cash the check at my local bank, and then, after deducting my fee and Western Union expenses, wire the rest of the money to an address in Washington state.
Apparently this is a scam and the check is counterfeit, so I will not be cashing that check.

No Name   (Fishers, IN, United States) Added the following extra information on :2011-08-31 14:01:58
 Scammer
  Information
Name:
Charles Hall
Email Address:
study@lighthouseresearch.org

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