Ailogix Computer Inc. Or Signal Micro Upgrades Shipping Scam N\A Internet
The company post online ads with the name Ailogix Computers, but uses the name Signal Micro Upgrads for the shipping side of the operation.
I answered an ad on HotJobs for an Accounts Payable/Accounts Receivable specialist. It did not say it was work from home, but when I got a responce they said I would work from home. I had a interview with Tony Nguyen on Yahoo IM interview with me on 12/13 and at the end of the interview they said they really liked me and wanted me to start the next day at 9am. I felt it was a little strange that they only did the one interview, did not ask for references and it seemed like he had never even seen the resume that I sent in. I then went back to Hotjobs to re-read the ad to see what exactly I would be doing and the ad was misteriously gone!, however if you type in the company name in Yahoo and look up the Cashed items it will show back up.
On the first day I logged on at 9am and It wasn't until 10am that Tony Nguyen finally signed in and gave me an assignment. It seemed like busy work and he was very persistant on haveing me get the initial employment papers signed and returned to him, he even asked for my address so he could "send my paychek" he said. All week I did busy work, and was introduced to Larry Parker, some assignements even seemed like they were just some college kids homework, rather then real company books!
12/20 I got a package in the mail addressed to Signal Micro Upgrades, which was another name of the company. I was suspicious so I looked up Shipping Scam online and I realized this is what was going on. Larry Parker (who claimed he was in Ohio) contacted me at almost 1am asking if I got the package and what was in it. I told him my work hours were 9am - 3pm, I speak with him then.
12/21 I got a call from a vendor who said they got an order from Signal Micro Upgrades with my address, and he called to say the company was a fake! The 800 number they gave him (1-800-956-4261) was fake. and the other address in Morrow, GA,they listed on their website belonged to someone else they had scamed!
Later that day Larry Parker he was persistant in getting me to reship the packages overseas to the United Kindom. Tony Nguyen sent me a shipping label and the return address simply gave my name and my home address! I refused saying it should have company info on. He was not at all pleased. Then at around 3:15 (I get off at 3pm by the way) he sent a replacement which was to a Las Vegas address. I told him it was after quitting time and I logged out!
12/24 I finally told Tony Nguyen I knew he tried to scam me and the packages were returned to the vendor. He started cursing me out calling me a Muther F***** and said he was gonna call his contacts and make me sorry.
The good thing is I never turned in those "employment documents'" and I kept all the correspondance I ever had with those people, I even still have the shipping labels with the tracking numbers on them! I am calling the police, the FBI, the Better Business Bureau and I am posting these anyplace I can.
Y
Atlanta, Georgia
U.S.A.
3 Updates & Rebuttals
Daniel
Toronto,Ontario,
Canada
I was inolved in this scam as well
#4Consumer Suggestion
Tue, March 10, 2009
3/2/08 I responded to an add for a Accounts Receivable/Accounts Payable position at Media Job Search Canada and I quickly received a response that seemed automatic from who I thought was a Human Resources person. They told me to answer further questions about whether or not I am suited for the position. When I answered these questions they set me up for an interview with a Mr. John Barton who said he was Head of Operations at Corporate Express and that he wanted to do the interview using Yahoo Messenger which instantly seemed skeptical to me but I went along with it.
3/3 The interview went well and I thought I had a reasonably high paying job that I could do through my own home. The pay seemed a little too high for what I was doing but considering they don't have as much overhead, the logic seemed sound. He said he wanted me to check in the next day at 9am so that we could get started. He typed in broken english which was a bit of a tip as well, but I wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt considering plenty of wonderful people don't speak english.
3/4 The next day I was online at nine but John wasn't online until 11am. He told me to send an email to the office supplies lady so that she could send a computer out to me the following day and that I could get started with my training. He also said that some employment papers would be sent to me and that I should sign and return them. I also received a response from the Office people who priced the equipment at 1990 USD so I forwarded the email to John so that he could pay.
3/5 at about 1am I received the employment papers and looked at them. They appeared to be written by a high school student and they didn't ask any of the usual information such as Social Security Number and direct deposit info. I didn't have a fax machine so I didn't send any of these in.
3/6 Today John asked me to put up another add at Media Job Search Canada because he wanted to expand the Canadian Network. The strange thing is that he asked me to set up a yahoo account specifically for this position. Media Job Search Canada was wise to them and wouldn't let them set it up without a Corporate Express email account. John said he would take care of it so I didn't think anything else of it.
3/10 Today he asked me to send the money for the office equipment as he wouldn't be receiving the money he required to set up this office until tomorrow. He wanted the money wired using Western Union. I suggested that a Canadian exchanging money to US is a waste of money because Western Union charges an absurd exchange rate compared to the rate set by the markets and it just makes more sense for him to send the money tomorrow (we're talking about 150 dollars here so I thought the concern was legitimate). He would have none of it and said that he wanted me to send my money and that he'd send me money tomorrow.
In order for me to send money I asked him for his address and contact number so I'd have someone to contact tomorrow if the money doesn't come. He sent me a phone number which had an Atlanta exchange when he said he was in Akron Ohio. I checked out the number and it was a lady who ran a recording studio and did actually work for corporate express. She had never heard of a John Barton.
I then called Corporate Express Mississauga and I was transfered to HR. They informed me that this in fact was a scam and that I should NEVER send them financial information. They also told me that the authorities were aware of this scam and apologized to me themselves.
***It's important for me to say that Corporate Express/Staples is in NO WAY associated with this. They were just the cover Mr. Barton used to show me that he was a legitimate*** business.
Cfo
Smyrna,Georgia,
U.S.A.
Signal Micro upgrade is NOT involved
#4UPDATE Employee
Mon, January 14, 2008
Firstly, we like to point out that Signal Micro Upgrades is Not in anyway a sister company or involved with the company mentioned in the report. We are not intending to enter into any business alliance or share trading with any company as we are presently upgrading our company hardwares and services.
I assume with the knowledge of the current rate of impersonation and identity theft going on within the business circle in America today, that someone intending to fraud you must have picked a legitimate name such as ours (This is NOT peculiar to us alone).
Therefore, I implore anyone to be careful in transactions and/or fishy employment arrangements.
Signal Micro Upgrades is Legitimate and DO NOT EMPLOY without the employee meeting HR head in person.
Thanks.
DB
Atlanta. GA
Cfo
Smyrna,Georgia,
U.S.A.
Signal Micro upgrade is NOT involved
#4UPDATE Employee
Mon, January 14, 2008
Firstly, we like to point out that Signal Micro Upgrades is Not in anyway a sister company or involved with the company mentioned in the report. We are not intending to enter into any business alliance or share trading with any company as we are presently upgrading our company hardwares and services.
I assume with the knowledge of the current rate of impersonation and identity theft going on within the business circle in America today, that someone intending to fraud you must have picked a legitimate name such as ours (This is NOT peculiar to us alone).
Therefore, I implore anyone to be careful in transactions and/or fishy employment arrangements.
Signal Micro Upgrades is Legitimate and DO NOT EMPLOY without the employee meeting HR head in person.
Thanks.
DB