Explain this scam to me

[Intolt]

Ok, I’m looking for a job. I’m highly skilled, but with the current slim pickings, I’m applying to just about anything. On craigslist, is the following ad:

Do you have a passion for cooking with fresh ingredients?
Do you love to slice and dice? Roast and toast?
Would you like to make a difference in people’s lives?
Do you want to be part of conquering a challenge?

The ideal candidate for the Cook position must be a High School graduate with at least 1-2 years experience.Our employees enjoy competitive wages and outstanding benefits in a great team environment! Qualified candidates, apply now for immediate consideration.

Requirements:
Must have a High School diploma or GED equivalent.
At least 1-2 years previous cooking experience required.
Must love cooking!
Must be Serve Safe Certified.
Leadership skills with the ability to motivate staff.

I submit the cover letter/ resume, and within 10 minutes I receive:

Rick Chauvet to me

Thanks for the prompt message.

            My Name is Rick Chauvet.I will be relocating with my wife and 5 years old daughter to Washington from Lafayette, LA by March 12th, 2011. We'd like to secure a cook before my family's arrival to our new home. My family had like to hire a family cook to cook for our family for a day party and also apply you for our upcoming newly restaurant. My wife is pregnant and I do not want her to overwork herself with domestic work.

I have some few questions for you:

(1.) Have you ever work for any family as their cook ?
(2.) If you have working as a cook before, how long and was it for a restaurant or a family ?
(3.) Can you communicate effective and efficiently?
(4.) Do you have a job as at now?
(5.) Are you willing to cook full time or part time for my family?
(6.) Are you comfortable with the pay $3,000 Monthly ?
(7.) Can you work as both the cook and domestic house help?

We would also be needing an house help that will assist in house (indoor and outdoor) cleaning. As our cook, your service would be required majorly on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays after church and we would appreciate if you can cook full time for my family or suitable days that you’ll be free. We could discuss that if you are willing to work full time.

OR

If you choose to cook for a day for our FAMILY REUNION PARTY which will hold this March 12th, 2011 and you get paid $400 for only that day service rendered, Please do not hesitate to have such person to contact me.

We are interested in accommodating a neat, honest and well behaved individual to work for us.If you are interested to further on with the Cook Job opening, please provide the information below;

(A.) Full Name
(B.) Physical Home Address (No P.O Box)
(C.) Mobile Cell Phone
(D.) Sex/Age

Thanks so much and have a nice day.

Regards,
Rick Chauvet

Now, this description sounded odd, as it covered cooking in someone’s home, in someone’s restaurant and a one time gig at a family reunion. This is from someone who hasn’t moved to the area, and is hiring someone off of craigslist.
I didn’t respond.

About 1 week later, on craigslist:

Looking for a cook who prepares meals for residents according to posted menus and has the ability to do different style from cooking, is preferred. Pleasant demeanor is key. Keeps kitchen clean and sanitary.

JOB REQUIREMENTS
High school diploma or general education degree (GED); or one to three years related experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Same thing, within minutes of my response:

Scott Glenn to me

Thanks for the prompt message.

My Name is Scott Glenn.I will be relocating with my wife and 5 years old daughter to Seattle, WA from Lafayette, LA by March 19th. We'd like to secure a cook before my family's arrival to our new home for a Reunion Party and also will like to secure you as a staff for our restuarant which will be newly opened in 2weeks time. My wife is pregnant and I don't want her to overwork herself with domestic work.

I have some few questions for you:

(1.) Have you ever work for any family party ?
(2.) How long and was it for a restaurant or a family ?
(3.) Can you communicate effective and efficiently?
(4.) Do you have a job as at now?
(5.) Are you willing to cook full time or part time for my family?
(6.) Are you comfortable with the pay $3,450 Monthly ?
(7.) Can you work as both the cook and domestic house help?

As our cook, your service would be required majorly 6-7hrs daily and we would appreciate if you can cook full time part time or suitable days that you'll be free. We could discuss that if you are willing to work full time.

OR

If you choose to cook for a day for our FAMILY REUNION PARTY which will hold this March 20th, 2011 and you get paid $300 for only that day service rendered, Please do not hesitate to have such person to contact me.

We are interested in accommodating a neat, honest and well behaved individual to work for us.If you are interested to further on with the Cook Job opening, please provide the information below;

(A.) Full Name
(B.) Physical Home Address
(C.) Mobile Cell Phone
(D.) Sex/Age

Thanks so much and have a nice day.

Regards,

Scott Glenn
(337) 3XX-XXXX

So what’s up with this?
I’m guessing they will want money to facilitate their move, which will of course be reimbursed when they arrive. Har har.
And why are these large families with one on the way moving up here?

Int.

[DCnDC]

Probably just phishing for personal info.

You accept the “job” then provide all of your personal information i.e. address, social security number, etc., then you never hear back from them and months later get a bunch of calls from collection agents because you haven’t been making payments on the AMEX you got then used to buy a BMW.

[Sparky812]

Basically, they’re phishing you for your personal info. possibly to impersonate you and/or setting you up for a cheque cashing scam when they “pay” you in advance for the reunion.

I would report it, and let the police take care of the reunion.

[ExcitedIdiot]

It’s probably one of these overpay scams. They send you a bogus payroll check for more than what they have offered you and ask you to western union them the balance.

[Yarster]

I’m guessing straight up phishing scam. The next e-mail that comes will say (broken English and grammar added for effect):

“That is most excellent! Me family be moving in the two weeks to follow and need a honest cook. Since you be employed by the family for the sum of 3.000$ USD, I require the social security number for the I-9 form to make the background check for your honesty”

[Wheelz]

(3.) Can you communicate effective and efficiently?

This made me laugh, especially following “My family had like to hire a family cook to cook for our family for a day party and also apply you for our upcoming newly restaurant.”

[Intolt]

Thanks for the replies.
I was hoping for something more nefarious, but the phishing ‘phits’.

BTW I love this board. I don’t post often, and then only a question, but read it daily. The posters are better than Google. However my wife asked me what happened to Mercurochrome. I googled it, and this was the second on the list.

Int.

[prdragonlady]

I also applied to a personal assistant add and received this…from guess who the infamous Rick Chauvet. It is so sad that during these desperate times that people are looking for legitimate work anywhere they can become victimized allover again.

Thanks for the prompt response to our position we seek for.
Your application/resume has been reviewed.
I would love to meet up with you to talk about this job but I am currently away on business. I am in Havana, Cuba in the Carribean and not sure if I am available to conduct an interview for you now.However,I will need your words to be sure of your credibility and if possible,references.
You will be required to handle my documentations and contacts as I am always on the move and rarely available to them.You will also handle all correspondence and work directly with me. I work solely as a supplier of medical equipments accross America, Europe and Asia.
In the course of your work, you will deal with clients at home and overseas. It is important that you are of good behaviour and possess relevant client and paperwork handling qualities. Working with me will be very interesting as I do not have strict rules, although I always appreciate efficiency. Working time is flexible because I will call upon you when there are issues to be attended to. I am actually employing a new Personal Assistant because the lady who worked with me before got married and moved with her husband to Australia.
This is the point where I ask you what you expect as pay package; What are you looking to earn? I hope we can meet pretty soon but until then, you can start working. Note that this is a part-time job and your application is one of the few I have considered appropriate for the position and I hope you justify my expectations.
I will like to keep a filed information about you. In the light of this, I will like you to fill the below Personal Assistant Employee Remittance Form to be documented.
Full Name:
Physical Home Address:
City, State & Zip Code:
Cell Phone # Only:
Age/Marital Status:
Current Job:
To ensure a proper work schedule, The following information are required:
AVAILABILITY: Days/Hours Available
Monday : Hours Available: from ______ to ______
Tuesday : Hours Available: from ______ to ______
Wednesday : Hours Available: from ______ to ______
Thursday : Hours Available: from ______ to ______
Friday : Hours Available: from ______ to ______
Saturday : Hours Available: from ______ to ______
Sunday : Hours Available: from ______ to ______
I await your response and required information.

Best Regards,

Rick