"Agency Cristal" Newspaper Advertising. Scam?

[bizzle666]

Hello,
I recently received an email for an opportunity to post ads in newspapers claiming that I would be saving this company (Agency Cristal) money by posting the ads myself with money from a check I received from them and then keeping a part of the check myself as commission. I need to know if this is fraudulent or not because they have sent me a check in the mail and I don't know what to do now. Any help would be GREATLY appreciated. Here is one email they sent me:

from Agency Cristal <resumes@umetci.com>
reply-to [resumes@umetci.com]
date Tue, Sep 29, 2009 at 5:12 PM
subject Confirm for Newspaper Position
hide details Sep 29
Here is Agency Cristal

It is very important to post the ads exactly like we will send it to you, all words. After ads are posted you still have 24 hours and you can modify the content, no problems if you make a mistake first times, simply forward us the confirmation emails that publications will send and we will correct if needed.
Like we specified, a cashier check of $1,415 will be released today for theposition you applied for. Simply cash the payment same day when you receive it at your bank and follow instructions.

Please confirm again your full name and address that we have on file:

First name, Last name (No Nicknames please):
Full Street Address (NO PO Boxes):
City, State, Postal Zip Code:
Two E-mail addresses:

You will place 2 job ads after you receive first payment in LA Times and Sun Sentinel newspapers. You will call an 1-800 number to do this task. You will receive instructions and complete "how to" specifications, also the text that will appear in the ads. Simply let us know when you will receive the cashier's check next week. Your commission is $200 from this order. You must place the order in max. 48 hours after you receive the money. Of course, we will instruct you 100%. You may also receive few orders from various US companies that we work with to place ads in Canada and Europe newspapers.
Please reply with specified info to confirm that you received this email.

Thank you

Agency Cristal , 28 faubourg Montmartre 75009 Paris
Tél. +33(0)1 47 61 12 23 Fax +33(0)1 42 61 15 47

[bizzle666]

from Cristal Agency Inc. <natbersaide@teriteh.com>
reply-to [natbersaide@teriteh.com]
date Thu, Oct 15, 2009 at 10:25 AM
subject Instructions for $1,925 certified check

First you must cash the $1,925 certified check at your bank, same day you receive it. Then, deduct your commission $300 and send $1,495 to company we specified, the rest of $130 is the transfer fee.

Detailed instructions: If you have a Credit Card or Debit Card issued by banks in USA, you may pay by Western Union online or calling toll free phone number 1-800 Call Cash (1-800-225-5227) and one operator will assist you. Or you can go personally to one agent from your town. If you don't have Credit Card or Debit Card use method below.

Step 1. Locate the nearest Western Union office from your town in banks, big stores or travel agencies.
Step 2. From the Agent clerk, obtain a money transfer form and show them your identification card. They will help you with the application. Here is receiver information:

Receiver's First Name: IOAN
Receiver's Last Name: LEUCA
City: Vienna Zip: 1030
Country: Austria (careful, not Australia)

Step 3. Give the Agent clerk the filled-up form, specify you want MONEY IN MINUTES method, cash and sign the receipt. If you transfer from home using your phone the agent will confirm the info.
Step 4. When done, a Money Transfer Control Number (MTCN)** will be provided. E-mail us back the following information:

Sender's First Name and Last Name:
City, State, Zip:
Money Transfer Control Number (MTCN):
Exact Total of Amount Sent (USD):
Receiver's First Name and Last Name:

**The Money Transfer Control Number (MTCN) is a reference number used to by the payer and the recipient for tracking and collection of the transfer made.

[De Master Yoda]

@bizzle666. This IS a scam. There are NO if's buts or maybe's IT IS a scam.
The cheques or money orders will be either forged or stolen. If you try to cash them you could be charged for being in "POSSESSION " of a forged instrument that can carry a sentence of up to fifteen years in jail.

As you are in the states please take the cheques along with hard copies of any emails to your postmaster, as they are geared to deal with these things and are very good at what they do.

Please take action to cover yourself and do NOT under ANY circumstance try to cash the cheque.

The scammer MAY try to threaten you with reporting you to the police or FBI! This is obviously ridiculous, as the scammer will keep as far away from the law as possible . Please stop ALL contact with him and take the cheques to the postmaster.

[Shadow]

I would say this is definitely a scam. There are companies that specialise in placing ads, and they have deals with media synidicates that enable them to place adverts a lot cheaper than any individual citizen can, so why would this company (Agency Cristal) believe that you could save them money?

The cheque is most likely fake. If you try to cash it, you could be held responsible for committing fraud. Your best bet would be to take it to bank along with copies of the emails, and explain the situation to them. They should be able to determine if the cheque is real or not before you try to deposit it. Don't place the ads until you are 100% certain the cheque will not bounce. Nor should you respond to the emails from the company.

[jasminf392]

I am in the same situation. But what should I do with the check. Here is one of the many emails they sent me.


Like we specified, a cashier check of $1,415 will be released today for the Advertising Job you applied for. Simply cash the payment same day when you receive it at your bank and follow instructions. It is very important to post the ads exactly like we will send it to you, all words. After ads are posted you still have 24 hours and you can modify the content, no problems if you make a mistake first times, simply forward us the confirmation emails that publications will send and we will correct if needed.

Please confirm again your full name and address that we have on file:

First name, Last name (No Nicknames please):
Full Street Address (NO PO Boxes):
City, State, Postal Zip Code:
Two E-mail addresses:

You will place 2 job ads after you receive first payment in LA Times and Sun Sentinel newspapers. You will call an 1-800 number to do this task. You will receive instructions and complete "how to" specifications, also the text that will appear in the ads. Simply let us know when you will receive the cashier's check next week. Your commission is $200 from this order. You must place the order in max. 48 hours after you receive the money. Of course, we will instruct you 100%. You may also receive few orders from various US companies that we work with to place ads in Canada and Europe newspapers.
Please reply with specified info to confirm that you received this email.

Thank you

Agence Cristal France Website: www.agencecristal.fr Contact Name: Claire Esme
28 faubourg Montmartre 75009 Paris
Tél. +33(0)1 47 61 12 23 Fax +33(0)1 42 61 15 47

[De Master Yoda]

@jasminf392. Welcome to AFI and thank you for your post. my advice posted above still applies to your case as well. As the fake checks are sent via the postal system the postal department has authority over them and will usually take action.


As you are in the states please take the cheques along with hard copies of any emails to your postmaster, as they are geared to deal with these things and are very good at what they do.

Please take action to cover yourself and do NOT under ANY circumstance try to cash the cheque.

[Dick H Box]

Hello jasminf392, & welcome to AFI.

If you're in the US, the Postal Inspectors need to be informed. Just take the cheque & copies of the emails, with headers, to them.
If you don't know how to find the headers on your email, see this thread:
http://antifraudintl.org/showthread.php?t=15352&highlight=how+to+find+headers

Would it be possible for you to post the full headers from the email here? It would help in warning others of this criminals activities.

(Please excuse the duplication, as the gremlins :noidea: kept DMY's post off the forum until after I had posted this:confused: )

[Pat64555]

Well, as I have yet to try cashing this $2, 445 check, I'm still unsure as to its validity--financially wise. But, having gone to a friend of mine, who is a banker, I am certain that it isn't in any way a forgery.

The whole thing is a bit weird. I'm supposed to pay some newspaper company $2, 005, take $300 for myself, and . . . well, what about the other $150? Oh, and I'm also a bit unsure about trying to cash this check. I doubt Western Union will do it. It's supposed to be taken a bank.

[Garreg Ddu]

Well, as I have yet to try cashing this $2, 445 check, I'm still unsure as to its validity--financially wise. But, having gone to a friend of mine, who is a banker, I am certain that it isn't in any way a forgery.

The whole thing is a bit weird. I'm supposed to pay some newspaper company $2, 005, take $300 for myself, and . . . well, what about the other $150? Oh, and I'm also a bit unsure about trying to cash this check. I doubt Western Union will do it. It's supposed to be taken a bank.

THIS IS A SCAM - THE CHECK IS FORGED OR STOLEN. IF YOU TRY TO CASH IT YOU WILL BE LIABLE TO BE CHARGED WITH PASSING A FRAUDULENT CHECK.

TAKE THE CHECK TO YOUR NEAREST POSTAL INSPECTOR, WITH ALL THE EVIDENCE SUCH AS ENVELOPES, EMAIL PRINTOUTS, LETTERS AND ANY THING ELSE YOU HAVE RECEIVED FROM THE CRIMINALS.

[Kingfish30]

I also received a check this morning. I just finished reporting it, and will now post their email sent to me.


This email needs confirmation, It is for position you applied for, Classifieds Poster.
A certified check of $1,315 will be released in the morning. Simply cash the check same day when you receive it, at your bank, and follow instructions. It is very important to post the ads exactly like we will send it to you, all words. After the ads are posted you still have 24 hours and you can modify the content, no problems if you make a mistake first time, simply forward us the confirmation emails that publications will send and we will correct if needed.

You will place 2 employment ads after you receive first payment in Chicago Tribune and Miami Herald newspapers. You will call an 1-800 number to do this task. You will receive instructions and complete "how to" specifications, also the text that will appear in the ads, it will take like 5 minutes to do it. Simply let us know when you will receive the cashier's check next week. Your commission is $200 from this order. You must place the order in max. 48 hours after you receive the money.

Please confirm your full name and address that we have on file:

Full Name:
Street Address:
City, State, Zip:
Primary email:
Secondary email:
Phone number:

Requirements:
Do not cash certified checks at check cashing stores, they have huge fees and we don't support them.
Do not abandon your email addresses we have on file from you! Check your email every evening, check also BULK/SPAM folders, our updates may go there sometimes.
Do not play with our time and our money, do not apply if you are not able to perform the simple tasks!

We may also have few ads monthly from US companies wanting to advertise in Canadian newspapers, in this case you will receive funds from them and then forward to our offices.
Thank you for your time.

Spotlight Media Ads, 1 Applewood Drive
Campbellford, ON K0L 1L0 Canada Phone: 705-653-4334

[Vodka]

I had the same exact situation, and I am almost sure that it is a scam. I received a check of about $2000 with the same exact instructions you did. However, I called the bank, and verified that the account doesn't have enough funds. Furthermore, by using Google, I was able to find the phone number from the company that sent the check, namely "Kang Enterprises". When I called, I asked to the person who answered about what type of business this company does. Her reply was "I can't tell you that." I told her about the check not having enough money, to which her reply was "I can't answer to that." Given all this factors, I am 99% convinced that it is a scam. Do not deal with this people! Just ignore them.
Here is how I think it works.
1) You apply for the position and IMMEDIATELY get hired.
2) the send you a check without funds containing instructions to use it in LESS THAN 48 HOURS.
3) You spend the money on the "newspaper adds" calling the numbers THEY GAVE YOU, which are actually themselves pretending to be newspapers advertisers.
4) Once you spend the money, it actually takes TWO WEEKS for the check to bounce, at which time you discover that you have been scammed.

Be careful with these sort of business and remember, if something sounds too good to be true, it likely is. Use judgment. By the way, you can report this scam at the internet crime complaint center
http://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx.

good luck