Anatomy of a Scam

June 10th, 2014


This is not a work of fiction.

Sometime in May of this year (2014) I applied for a position as proofreader with whom I thought was Relatieplanet. Relatieplanet is a legitimate company located in The Netherlands. Relatieplanet is an internet dating site. I learned of this employment opportunity via a link published by Freelance Writing Jobs on their Facebook page. I assumed that FWJ would have verified the veracity of any jobs before listing publicly.

Before applying with "Relatieplanet," I searched diligently for any negative comments and/or reviews. I found nothing. I confidently applied for and was subsequently hired as a "Relatieplanet" proofreader.
Although I was informed in an email that someone from the company would be contacting me by telephone, I have never actually spoken to anyone from "Relatieplanet." All communications were by email. My contact wrote that I could choose to be paid by check or wire transfer. The only personal information I have shared to date is my name, physical address, email address, photo, and telephone number.

The first red flag was how quickly the company received my employment contract. I was given an address in The Netherlands. I mailed the contract via regular post from my city in Indiana, USA on a Saturday. I received a confirmation email from "Relatieplanet" the following Tuesday. Did I believe that mail sent by regular post from Indiana would arrive in The Netherlands in 2 days? NO!

Having invested zero dollars and very little personal information, I noted the flag and proceeded with my proofreading tasks. The second red flag came a few days later. I was congratulated by the "Relatieplanet" critics for my excellent proofreading skills. I wondered why this company would need to hire outside proofreaders when they had English language critics on staff.

Considering that my first day's work took under 2 hours, I continued editing the copy I was sent. Red flag #3 was the timing of correspondence between "Relatieplanet" and me. The Netherlands is 6 hours ahead of us here in Indiana. I was receiving emails at what would have been late evening for the Netherlanders. Then there was the lack of regular communication. My employment contract stated work days were Monday through Friday. After 2 weekdays of not being sent work, red flag #4 popped up.

4 red flags led me back to Google. I found 2 links with information regarding a Relatieplanet Proofreading scam. The most helpful and accurate information was found at  www.archivesandends.blogspot.com. I was not the only victim of this new scam targeting freelance writers.

All but convinced that I'd been had, I decided to test my employers. The next day I received a work document to edit. I took a chance and submitted approximately 1681 words of gibberish. The next day I received an email, complimenting me on another fine job! In that email I was asked for my bank information, so they could wire my earnings on the previously specified date. Oh, another red flag was their addition error of my total wages; in my favor, of course.

I decided to respond, asking them to send me a check. No immediate response. After a day or two I sent an email, stating that I knew they were scamming me, and shame on them for trying to take advantage of someone who needed work so their family could avoid eviction.

I thought the matter was over and done with until yesterday. I received an email from "Relatieplanet," pleading ignorance to my accusations. Today I received a FedEx delivery. Someone from Florida overnighted a check written to me in the amount of $4800.00. The check was not from "Relatieplanet," or any other company. It was a personal check drawn from a Wells Fargo account.

I'm not a mathematician. I do know that 2+2=4. I was scammed. I confronted the scammer. The scammer contacted me, and in less than 24 hours I received a check for $4800.00. By the way, there was nothing in the way of correspondence in the FedEx envelope; just the check.

I immediately telephoned the Indiana Bureau of Consumer Affairs. I was told to contact the Federal Trade Commission, and also Internet Crime. I took the check and envelope to the Vice President of my bank, who made a copy to forward to their fraud division.

Lo and behold, when I arrived home I had about 8 missed calls from someone claiming to be my employer! The area code is from California. Of course it makes complete sense that a company located in The Netherlands would issue my paycheck from a private personal account in Florida, and then telephone me from California - NOT!!!

So concludes this chapter. Keep watch for an epilogue. I'll keep you abreast of any new developments.

MTK