Markus Collins - Another infamous work-at-home SCAM!!

I received the following email from a source listing their work from home services on Craigslist in Farmington, New Mexico. First, let me fill you in on some details. This person informed me that I would make $550 per week, and his "sponsor" would send me a check for $950, where I would take $50 of that to buy a cell phone with unlimited service, and the remainder ($900) would be used to purchase an all-in-one unit to work with. The work-at-home job would require me to take surveys from people who have cell phone providers and to evaluate their experiences. I received a check today from UPS, for $950 (that was all that was in the envelope, simply a check and nothing else). I told Markus Collins (via emails) that I had no bank account, and that I would have to take the check to get it cashed at a check cashing place. He informed me that they would not be able to cash it, but suggested instead that I open up a savings account and deposit the check. I told him I would, but instead went anyway to a check cashing place, where I was informed the check was a fraud. I filed reports with the CPA, BBB, and FBI (IC3 report), and the FTC (have a reference number). I contacted Markus Collins and thought I would play along, so I could gather more information for the investigation. I informed him that the funds were deposited and that I had immediate access to them. He then sent me an email, and instructed me to withdraw $900 right away, and wire $820 through Western Union to someone in Florida (allegedly this was the person or persons who would get that all-in-one unit to me). I told him I would start on it right away. Since Markus has not heard back from me, I have received 4 phone calls already (from him), but have not answered (nor has he left a voicemail). I have submitted all of this information to the FTC now, and it's out of my hands. They suggested I contact a UPS Fraud unit and give them what information I have. I hope no more people fall prey to this scam, so that is why I am reporting this to you all! The following is the initial email I received for the job offering:

Your response to our Job Ad on Craigslist was received.

We are conducting a Cell Phone Service Comparison and Customer Satisfaction Study. This Study will track overall dropped call rates among the major wireless service providers, service plan options, cost of service and billing, call quality, brand image dimensions, etc.

Which Carrier Is Best In Your Area?

Carriers are ranked across six regions in the United States: Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, North Central, Southwest and West.

The study will measure customer satisfaction based on 42 specific service-related measures grouped into six key factors that impact overall wireless carrier performance. These are (in order of importance):
call performance and reliability (26%);
customer service (17%);
service plan options (17%);
brand image (14%);
cost of service (14%); and
billing (12%).
Over the past three-year period, overall satisfaction has fluctuated significantly as changes in the industry, such as the recent carrier mergers, have influenced the customer experience. The study will seek to find if satisfaction has improved since 2009, especially in areas where the industry has been aggressively marketing new services and offering more attractive pricing options. For example, the service plan options and cost of service factors receive the largest increase in satisfaction ratings from 2008.

Consumer Reports’ Annual Cell Phone Survey released in the January 2007 issue shows that call quality remains an aggravation for many cell phone users. In fact, 34 percent of previous survey respondents who switched carriers during the past three years attributed their decision to poor phone service, including dropped calls and no service at home.

Your Assignment:

When you conduct a customer satisfaction survey, what you ask the customers is important. How, when and how often you ask these questions are also important. However, the most important thing about conducting a customer satisfaction survey is what you do with their answers and this makes your assignment vital.

You will make calls to a list of subscribers drawn from different Carriers within your area which will be provided for you weekly. These subscribers indicated willingness to take part in this survey. You will ask 7 key questions as listed below:

1. What Carrier are you using presently? How long have you used this Carrier?
2. How satisfied are you with the service you received?
3. How satisfied are you with the company overall?
4. Do you suffer call drops? How often?
5. Are you satisfied with the bills and prices? Do you feel cheated?
6. Is the Company responsive to your needs/concerns? Do you feel isolated?
7. How likely are you to recommend this service to others?

You will type their responses, bind it and mail to my office address as below.

Your Tools and Pay.

A mobile phone and with a weekly $50 service will be provided for you. A portable easy-to-use Four-in-one Machine with fax, copy, print and binding capabilities manufactured by Bulkley Valley will also be provided for you completely free. Payments for these items including shipping will be provided by one of our sponsors. You will be paid $550 weekly. Essentially, you will be required to work at least 1-2 hours daily and recommended hours are between 5pm - 8pm. However, you are allowed to choose a time convenient for you. Weekly list must be covered. This project will last at least for a year and Certificate of Participation will be issued.

Please indicate your willingness to proceed.

Regards,

Markus Collins
ConsumerCallSurvey.com
11428 W Hickory Hill Ct.
Ada, Boise, Idaho 83713-2468
Phone #: 208-629-4552
info@consumercallsurvey.com

I just read this now! I sent the $900 via Western Union today! What should I do? I'm getting married in 3 months and we needed some extra income for the wedding.

Hi Rawbabykatiee! Oh man, how unfortunate, I'm sorry to hear that. Congrats on your engagement though (on a lighter note). I'm sure there is no way you can get your money back now, as more than likely you will either never hear from him/them again, OR they will try to get more money from you. The best way to nab these guys is to report them, and hopefully get the message out to others NOT to get conned (like we are attempting to do with these reports)! The FBI has a system set up where you can make a report (called an IC3 form), and you can contact the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) and file a report with them too! It's also best to contact your local law enforcement agency (sheriff or police) and let them know too.

Another good reason to contact your local law enforcement agency is because when I finally let these people know I was on to them, I received a threatening email, which read as follows: "YOU ARE A DEAD PERSON WALKING. YOU JUST DONT KNOW IT. I WAS ABLE TO TRACK YOU DOWN AND YOUR POSTINGS. BETTER HIDE, NO ONE CAN PROTECT YOU." The police were brought in because it is illegal to threaten someone's life like that, and this surely shows you how dangerous and provocative these criminals can be! These are the people you are dealing with, unfortunately, so it's best to leave them alone and avoid them at all costs!

WOW - I just received this email today, and the money is now a lot more than what was previously mentioned. Thank you for your post

I have received your confirmation. You are approved. I look forward to a rewarding work experience with you. Your work starts immediately. Can you give me an idea of what your normal day looks like?

To get you ready, you will need your tools provided. A sponsor will be instructed to mail to you a Check for $4790 Monday for the purchase of the tools. The Check will be made out in your name and you will process this payment at your own bank. After the Check is processed, you will use part of the funds to purchase a Cell phone at a Phone shop nearest to you and the rest of the funds will be for the purchase and shipping of the Bulkley Valley Fax / Copy / Print / Bind Machine. I will provide payment instructions and details when funds are ready.

Your first pay for $550 should get to you a week after you commence work.

Confirm your acceptance of the position by providing your full names, cont act address [not P.O Box ] and direct phone numbers.

Let me know if you have questions or require clarifications.

Regards,

Fred Cohen...

I'm receiving a check from Fred Cohen's sponsor any day now. I thought it looked too good to be true. The Method of Operation and script is the same down to the type of survey, words & percentage. When I asked what organization he represented, he side stepped the question the email. Now I wonder what action I should take. I don't want to get into any lengthy situation with this scan, I just want it all to go away before my financial status gets any more messed up. Any suggestions.

Wow. Amazing.. now the check is for $4790 (instead of the $950 they/he sent for my first email). Unbelievable scam they/he has going on, and I am HOPING you didn't try to deposit the check, "notgettingduped"! You know the old cliché: "If it looks too good to be true more than likely it is!" DO NOT deposit this check, but rather report to the FBI (IC3 report), which reports internet crimes, and follow the steps I provided in the very first post to this thread. This individual (s) are criminals and are getting away with this MAJOR SCAM! Good luck, and I thank you both for your contributions, as if we alert more people to this line of online criminal activity (my guess is money laundering) we can hopefully put a stop to it once and for all.

I knew it had to be too good to be true. I have been contacted too, however I was offered $1990. I have been in this situation before so I told him I would NOT deposit into my account but would take it to a bank here that it was written on and cash it out of thier account. He said that would be fine so he is suppose to send me a check from Wells Fargo. However I havent heard form them since and dont expect to get a check now that he knows I am on to this type of scam.