breccia
20 July 2006, 17:13
I have received an email from someone who was scammed on marinetechnologyjobs.com, and wishes details of the scam to be posted on Fraudwatchers.
Marinetechnologyjobs.com is a job website which specializes in matching up employers and employees who work in the marine industry. Unfortunately, it has been abused by advance fee fraudsters who are targeting those who are posting their resumes there in search of real work.
One of the assumed names used in this scam is "Greg Neil " (email address tapinok@consultant.com) . The scam typically begins when someone who has posted their resume is contacted by the scammer thus:
Dear xxx,
Your Resume at MarineTechnologyJobs.com was viewed and your contact
information requested by Greg Neil. Please see the message below.
Greg Neil <tapinok@consultant.com>
We are a UK recruitment consultancy Agency, we currently have
vacant job oppurtunities in your area of specialization, send us your cv
for evaluation if interested for employment through us.
People who respond will receive the following reply from the scammer:
Dear xxx,
Please send us your resume for evaluation for possible job placement onboard one of
our principals vessels as AB.
Regards,
Greg Neil
Recruitment Officer
Tapinok Consulting UK
Unit 7 Millstream Trading Estate
Ringwood BH24 3BR Hampshire,
UK.
Tell:+44-7040130787
Fax: +448712530113 [/B][/COLOR]
The IP address on all of the emails is: 62.56.148.22. This is an IP address belonging to Gilat Satcom, an Isreali internet service which provides satelite internet access for West Africa. So the scammer is probably working from a country like Nigeria, Ghana, Togo, Benin, or the Ivory Coast.
The email address (@consultant.com) is a free email address provided by mail.com, and is heavily favoured by scammers who wish to make themselves sound like they are indeed consultants.
The address used by this supposed consultancy is the address of an innocent company in the UK which supplies, installs, services and hires Water Chillers (http://66.249.93.104/search?q=cache:1Plu5N82IGEJ:www.buildingdesign.co.uk/arch-4/coolmation/water-cooling-system.htm+%22Unit+7+Millstream+Trading+Estate%22&hl=en&gl=nl&ct=clnk&cd=1&client=firefox-a).
The phone and fax number given are special UK forwarding numbers that will re-direct victim phone calls to anwhere in the world where the scammers are located.
After sending resumes, victims of the scam are sent the following email:
Dear xxx,
We are in receipt of your resume which is being evaluated for possible
consideration for the position as AB seaman onboard one of our principal's bulk
carrier vessel known as MV KEN.
If considered for the position, your salary shall be US$3,000 per month which shall
be paid to you onboard the vessel or transferred to your account in your country as
you wish, and your leave rotation shall be 2 months on and 4 weeks off and it's a
one year contract, you will be expected to join the vessel on the 20th of May 2006.
You shall be provided with free return flight ticket to return to your home country
for every of your 4 weeks off rotation.
You will be expected to arrive the United States enroute to the said vessel via the
port of joining which is the Port of Los Angeles in California, You can know more
about your Port of joining at www.portoflosangeles.org
Area of operation of the vessel is from the Port of Los Angeles, transporting grain
and steel for our Principal, Klime Shipping Lines to Brazil.
Klime Shipping Lines. ("KSL") is one of the world's bulk-shipping companies, it
owns and operates a modern cargo fleet of 97 vessels aggregating 12.7 million
deadweight tons ("dwt") comprised of international flag and Liberia flag vessels
that transport Cargoes and dry bulk commodities. Additionally, the Company's
newbuilding program consists of four LNG vessels aggregating 864,800 cbm which will
deliver in 2007 and 2008.
The Company recently agreed to bareboat charter ten U.S. flag, Jones Act, product
tankers which will be delivered from Kvaerner Philadelphia Shipyard Inc. between
2006 and 2010. The Company enjoys an outstanding reputation for safety, quality and
reliability, reflected in its many significant long-term relationships with
international companies and other major charterers.
KSL is committed to providing quality tonnage and service to its customers, and to
developing innovative solutions to meet each customer's unique transportation
requirements. The size and diversity of KSL's Cargo fleet, the Company's financial
strength, and the skill and experience of KSL's crews and shoreside staff enables
them to offer their customers premium quality transportation services at
competitive rates.
The crew onboard the vessel are from United States, UK and Poland.
Benefits & Perks is as follows:
Air travel tickets and hotel accommodations en-route and homeward
bound are always provided.
Room & Board provided.
Cabin facilities provided.
Dining in Crew mess.
Free P & I Medical coverage in accordance with the respective Maritime Law.
Death and Accident Insurance.
Vacation pay of US$1,500
VESSEL INFORMATION:
Vessel Name:………………….MV Ken
Ex-Name:……………………...Stellar Light
Flag:…………………………….Marshall Island
Owner:………………………….Voyager Shipholding Corp
Chaterer:..............................Klime Shipping Lines
Port of Registry:……………….Marjuro
Type of Vessel:………………..Bulk Carrier
Registration Number:…………1875
Call Sign:………………………V7EX4
Year Built:……………………..1998
Gross:………………………….26770
Net:…………………………….15663
DWT:…………………………..46747
Length:………………………...187,3
Breadth:………………………..13.2'
Depth:…………………………..16,1
Draught:………………………..11.36
Enginer:...........Type Sulzer
Engine:...........output 6,250 kW
Speed:............14 knots
Thank you for your attention as we do our best in providing this job opportunity to
you, we shall get back to you as soon as we are through with the evaluation of your
application.
Note that we do charge an agency fee of US$300 from each seaman whom we assist
secure employments on vessels we are manning agents to, this fee is used to cover
the cost for the procurement of such seaman's employment processing.
Please confirm if interested in this offer.
Regards,
Greg Neil
Recruitment Officer
Tapinok Consulting UK
Unit 7 Millstream Trading Estate
Ringwood
BH24 3BR
Hampshire,UK.
Tell:+44-7040130787
Fax: +448712530113
The passage I have highlighted in red is the first mention of an advance fee. So the scammers are asking jobseekers to pay money for the priveledge of having their applications processed.
If the jobseeker accepts that this bogus fee of $300 must be paid, the scammer sends the following email:
JOB POSITION: AB
CONTRACT REF: 137890
DATE: 3RD MAY.2006
Dear xxx,
With reference to your application for employment in pursuant to
the service contract, we hereby confirm your appointment as AB onboard
our principals Bulk Carrier vessel known as M/V KEN. after the
evaluation and screening of your submitted application.
Inline with your consideration for the job, you are now requested to
provide us with the name of your nearest airport and relevant copies of
your international passport, which shall enable us to process and procure
your travel documents including your US work permit.
You are hereby advised to remit our agency fee of US$300 made payable to
our office located in Sweden through Western Union Money Transfer, and
send us the Money Transfer Control Number (MTCN) and the Transfer Test
Question & Answer for onward transmission to our office in Sweden, to
enable them retrieve your payment. The payment destination should be;
Name of Reciever: EBI BIPELLA
City of Destination: GOTHENBURG
Country of Destination: SWEDEN
Address: Tapinok Consulting Inc, Faltspatsgatan 6, Vastra
Frolunda,Gothenburg SE-421 30, Sweden.
You can know more about western union money transfer on
www.westernunion.com you are sending our agency fee payment to
our office in Sweden because they handle our activities in South America
and the Carribean.
As soon as we receive your payment details, We shall then send you your
employment and contract documents for your endorsement and return of
signed copy to signify your acceptance of the terms as contained therein,
then after your travel documents shall be processed and issued to you
including your flight ticket for your depature for job start in the
United States .
We hope you understand our position and act accordingly to resume duties
onboard the vessel on the given date.
Thank you for your attention and congratulations for your new job from us
here at Tapinok Consulting UK.
Regards,
Greg Neil
Recruitment Officer
Tapinok Consulting UK
Unit 7 Millstream Trading Estate
Ringwood
BH24 3BR
Hampshire,UK.
Tell:+44-7040130787
Fax: +448712530113
The mention of the scammer's friend - Western Union (http://www.fraudwatchers.org/forums/showthread.php?t=2564) - is the next big red flag. The scammer is effectively asking jobseekers to send $300 via an anonymous and completely untraceable money payment service.
Jobseekers who cannot use Western Union are asked to wire money to a bank account in Sweden.
So if there is anyone searching the internet for more information about Greg Neil or Tapinok Consulting UK, please be assured that this is 100% a scam. Do not pay any money to these people. Just tell them to take a hike, and cease communicating with them.
Fraudwatchers wishes to thank the kind person who came forward with this story. We sincerely hope that this story help to alert other jobseekers who may have been approached by similar scammers.
Marinetechnologyjobs.com is a job website which specializes in matching up employers and employees who work in the marine industry. Unfortunately, it has been abused by advance fee fraudsters who are targeting those who are posting their resumes there in search of real work.
One of the assumed names used in this scam is "Greg Neil " (email address tapinok@consultant.com) . The scam typically begins when someone who has posted their resume is contacted by the scammer thus:
Dear xxx,
Your Resume at MarineTechnologyJobs.com was viewed and your contact
information requested by Greg Neil. Please see the message below.
Greg Neil <tapinok@consultant.com>
We are a UK recruitment consultancy Agency, we currently have
vacant job oppurtunities in your area of specialization, send us your cv
for evaluation if interested for employment through us.
People who respond will receive the following reply from the scammer:
Dear xxx,
Please send us your resume for evaluation for possible job placement onboard one of
our principals vessels as AB.
Regards,
Greg Neil
Recruitment Officer
Tapinok Consulting UK
Unit 7 Millstream Trading Estate
Ringwood BH24 3BR Hampshire,
UK.
Tell:+44-7040130787
Fax: +448712530113 [/B][/COLOR]
The IP address on all of the emails is: 62.56.148.22. This is an IP address belonging to Gilat Satcom, an Isreali internet service which provides satelite internet access for West Africa. So the scammer is probably working from a country like Nigeria, Ghana, Togo, Benin, or the Ivory Coast.
The email address (@consultant.com) is a free email address provided by mail.com, and is heavily favoured by scammers who wish to make themselves sound like they are indeed consultants.
The address used by this supposed consultancy is the address of an innocent company in the UK which supplies, installs, services and hires Water Chillers (http://66.249.93.104/search?q=cache:1Plu5N82IGEJ:www.buildingdesign.co.uk/arch-4/coolmation/water-cooling-system.htm+%22Unit+7+Millstream+Trading+Estate%22&hl=en&gl=nl&ct=clnk&cd=1&client=firefox-a).
The phone and fax number given are special UK forwarding numbers that will re-direct victim phone calls to anwhere in the world where the scammers are located.
After sending resumes, victims of the scam are sent the following email:
Dear xxx,
We are in receipt of your resume which is being evaluated for possible
consideration for the position as AB seaman onboard one of our principal's bulk
carrier vessel known as MV KEN.
If considered for the position, your salary shall be US$3,000 per month which shall
be paid to you onboard the vessel or transferred to your account in your country as
you wish, and your leave rotation shall be 2 months on and 4 weeks off and it's a
one year contract, you will be expected to join the vessel on the 20th of May 2006.
You shall be provided with free return flight ticket to return to your home country
for every of your 4 weeks off rotation.
You will be expected to arrive the United States enroute to the said vessel via the
port of joining which is the Port of Los Angeles in California, You can know more
about your Port of joining at www.portoflosangeles.org
Area of operation of the vessel is from the Port of Los Angeles, transporting grain
and steel for our Principal, Klime Shipping Lines to Brazil.
Klime Shipping Lines. ("KSL") is one of the world's bulk-shipping companies, it
owns and operates a modern cargo fleet of 97 vessels aggregating 12.7 million
deadweight tons ("dwt") comprised of international flag and Liberia flag vessels
that transport Cargoes and dry bulk commodities. Additionally, the Company's
newbuilding program consists of four LNG vessels aggregating 864,800 cbm which will
deliver in 2007 and 2008.
The Company recently agreed to bareboat charter ten U.S. flag, Jones Act, product
tankers which will be delivered from Kvaerner Philadelphia Shipyard Inc. between
2006 and 2010. The Company enjoys an outstanding reputation for safety, quality and
reliability, reflected in its many significant long-term relationships with
international companies and other major charterers.
KSL is committed to providing quality tonnage and service to its customers, and to
developing innovative solutions to meet each customer's unique transportation
requirements. The size and diversity of KSL's Cargo fleet, the Company's financial
strength, and the skill and experience of KSL's crews and shoreside staff enables
them to offer their customers premium quality transportation services at
competitive rates.
The crew onboard the vessel are from United States, UK and Poland.
Benefits & Perks is as follows:
Air travel tickets and hotel accommodations en-route and homeward
bound are always provided.
Room & Board provided.
Cabin facilities provided.
Dining in Crew mess.
Free P & I Medical coverage in accordance with the respective Maritime Law.
Death and Accident Insurance.
Vacation pay of US$1,500
VESSEL INFORMATION:
Vessel Name:………………….MV Ken
Ex-Name:……………………...Stellar Light
Flag:…………………………….Marshall Island
Owner:………………………….Voyager Shipholding Corp
Chaterer:..............................Klime Shipping Lines
Port of Registry:……………….Marjuro
Type of Vessel:………………..Bulk Carrier
Registration Number:…………1875
Call Sign:………………………V7EX4
Year Built:……………………..1998
Gross:………………………….26770
Net:…………………………….15663
DWT:…………………………..46747
Length:………………………...187,3
Breadth:………………………..13.2'
Depth:…………………………..16,1
Draught:………………………..11.36
Enginer:...........Type Sulzer
Engine:...........output 6,250 kW
Speed:............14 knots
Thank you for your attention as we do our best in providing this job opportunity to
you, we shall get back to you as soon as we are through with the evaluation of your
application.
Note that we do charge an agency fee of US$300 from each seaman whom we assist
secure employments on vessels we are manning agents to, this fee is used to cover
the cost for the procurement of such seaman's employment processing.
Please confirm if interested in this offer.
Regards,
Greg Neil
Recruitment Officer
Tapinok Consulting UK
Unit 7 Millstream Trading Estate
Ringwood
BH24 3BR
Hampshire,UK.
Tell:+44-7040130787
Fax: +448712530113
The passage I have highlighted in red is the first mention of an advance fee. So the scammers are asking jobseekers to pay money for the priveledge of having their applications processed.
If the jobseeker accepts that this bogus fee of $300 must be paid, the scammer sends the following email:
JOB POSITION: AB
CONTRACT REF: 137890
DATE: 3RD MAY.2006
Dear xxx,
With reference to your application for employment in pursuant to
the service contract, we hereby confirm your appointment as AB onboard
our principals Bulk Carrier vessel known as M/V KEN. after the
evaluation and screening of your submitted application.
Inline with your consideration for the job, you are now requested to
provide us with the name of your nearest airport and relevant copies of
your international passport, which shall enable us to process and procure
your travel documents including your US work permit.
You are hereby advised to remit our agency fee of US$300 made payable to
our office located in Sweden through Western Union Money Transfer, and
send us the Money Transfer Control Number (MTCN) and the Transfer Test
Question & Answer for onward transmission to our office in Sweden, to
enable them retrieve your payment. The payment destination should be;
Name of Reciever: EBI BIPELLA
City of Destination: GOTHENBURG
Country of Destination: SWEDEN
Address: Tapinok Consulting Inc, Faltspatsgatan 6, Vastra
Frolunda,Gothenburg SE-421 30, Sweden.
You can know more about western union money transfer on
www.westernunion.com you are sending our agency fee payment to
our office in Sweden because they handle our activities in South America
and the Carribean.
As soon as we receive your payment details, We shall then send you your
employment and contract documents for your endorsement and return of
signed copy to signify your acceptance of the terms as contained therein,
then after your travel documents shall be processed and issued to you
including your flight ticket for your depature for job start in the
United States .
We hope you understand our position and act accordingly to resume duties
onboard the vessel on the given date.
Thank you for your attention and congratulations for your new job from us
here at Tapinok Consulting UK.
Regards,
Greg Neil
Recruitment Officer
Tapinok Consulting UK
Unit 7 Millstream Trading Estate
Ringwood
BH24 3BR
Hampshire,UK.
Tell:+44-7040130787
Fax: +448712530113
The mention of the scammer's friend - Western Union (http://www.fraudwatchers.org/forums/showthread.php?t=2564) - is the next big red flag. The scammer is effectively asking jobseekers to send $300 via an anonymous and completely untraceable money payment service.
Jobseekers who cannot use Western Union are asked to wire money to a bank account in Sweden.
So if there is anyone searching the internet for more information about Greg Neil or Tapinok Consulting UK, please be assured that this is 100% a scam. Do not pay any money to these people. Just tell them to take a hike, and cease communicating with them.
Fraudwatchers wishes to thank the kind person who came forward with this story. We sincerely hope that this story help to alert other jobseekers who may have been approached by similar scammers.