Victim Location 10603
Type of a scam Employment
I received an email last week offering me a job as a virtual assistant with Assist LLC. I have been searching for a job and sending my resume all over the place. So, I assumed this was a legitimate offer. I was told via email by my supervisor, Ricardo C***, that I would receive a phone call in regards to my application. My phone never rang. I received a voicemail though from someone named "Alexander" (No last name). He asked me to call him back at the number given on the website (a cell number, not landline). I called and left a message. Mr. C*** emailed me the next morning instructing me to start work. I attempted to call Alexander again before I started working, but still heard the voicemail answering service. I left another voice message. I also sent an email to an address the voicemail instructed any employee with a question to use. But the email bounced back as undeliverable. I told Mr. C*** in an email. He asked me to forward him the postmaster’s "undeliverable" message and start working. I did. I downloaded the time tracker from the website and began working. Whenever I had technical difficulties (I was never trained or given instructions on how to operate their system) I attempted to call Alexander and ended up leaving various messages. I also emailed Mr. C*** to explain the troubles. At one point I accidently turned off my time tracker. I tried to log back onto the members only area of the site to reinstall it, but my password was not working. I was losing valuable time and knew I’d be late handing in my first project. I emailed Mr. C*** several times and left more voicemails for Alexander. I did not hear back from them. The next day, I still had no emails from Mr. C*** and no call from Alexander. I took it upon myself to go to their office- the address is on their website. The security guard in the lobby said that company is not in the building. To double check, he called the law firm on the floor that Assist LLC is supposed to be on. The law firm employee who answered this call confirmed that there is no company there by the name of Assist LLC. The security guard also called Alexander’s number for me on his own cell phone. It rang several times, then there were a few beeps, and he was disconnected. He attempted a call one more time. The same thing occurred. I called Alexander with my own phone then. The voicemail DID come up when I called.
When I returned home, my password was suddenly working again. I emailed this to Mr. C***:
I have repeatedly sent emails this morning explaining that I have been locked out of the system. I left many voicemails at (ALEXANDER’S CELL PHONE NUMBER). I have not heard back from anyone from Assist LLC. I made a trip down to your office today in Manhattan, New York. I did not find your office at 575 Madison Ave. The security guard tried to help me locate your company with various phone calls. But was unsuccessful. Now, I have returned to Westchester to find that my password is working again AND the LIMO project is marked as "overdue." I will need an extension on the project. An extra two days would be beneficial since I was unable to work due to the technical malfunctions. I would also like to know where your company has relocated to and is there a better way to get in touch with someone who can help me troubleshoot any obstacles that hinder me from working.
He responded with this email (it was a fresh email he wrote instead of just a "respond" where my message and info would be on the page too when I read it):
You did not inform me you were coming. I would have given you directions, room number etc.
It’s not my fault. I would say you just wasted your time. You have to inform me a day or two in advance and then we can coordinate our schedule.
I was not even there most of the day as I was with a group of Chinese clients.
Your password ‘demo’ was always working. Always.
My extension is 1012. Extra days, OK, I will mark it here. The system may still be showing it as overdue, but you send your report when ready and I will fix everything.
Once again I do apologize you did not meet but this is not my fault, you have to inform in advance. In fact I am not spending all of my day in the office.
Ricardo C***
HR Manager
Out of curiosity, I called Alexander’s number again from my cell phone. It rang a few times and then there was a beep and I was disconnected. There was no more voicemail.