Complaint Review: Fishman Fisbowl LP

I was sent a check in the mail for $3,445.00  by Fisherman Research Center on Carpenter Dr., Atlanta, Georgia 30328 telephone 514-571-8562 to act as a mystery shopper. They told me to cash the check and then use the money for:

1. Probation training pay $375  2. Required fund to be transferred at western union for $2,845.00  3. then Western-Union Services I was to pay $145.00 4. Funds needed for shopping $90.00.

They had 2 forms. One to give me my id# and instructions and the other had a form on back and also the front for me to fill out for Western -Union to send to some Jacquline person and the other form was to be filled out for shopping at either Home Depot, GAP,JC Penny,Wal-mart,K-mart,or Sears.

Then I was supposed to fax to number 866-593-6814. Maria Stader Research Coordinator

I looked this up on the internet and found Rip-Offs and found other stories about this place so I did not take any action.

However 2 times before: The first time I received a check in the mail with just an address.  I looked it up called the business and they told me to rip it up it was a scam,but I took it to Amscot and asked them if it was a bad check and they said take it to the sheriff's department which I did.

The second incident happened through Career Builders: They found my resume and wanted me to work for them.  I checked their site out and there were no scams listed. They did not come from  Nigeria, or UK like so many do but from Ireland.

I checked the site out and it seemed very legitmate, had careers listed and everything.

I signed a contract that also stated that all checks I was to receive were cleared through their company and if I cash the checks immediately I would get a bonus for being an accountant/collector to investors in this country (USA).

I was to collect checks, make them accountable,and send money sent through western -union.  They said if I had any problems I would be reimbursed within 24 hours the contract stated.  Since they contacted me through career builders I thought it was a legitmate business.  I even have a letter stating welcome to our team etc.  I had run my own business for 15 years and had done business with people sending me money to take care of their homes so it did not set off and alarm for me.

I received 2 checks to start with from California and Tennessee as I recall.  I also sent a letter back to them stating if these checks do not clear I would no longer do business with them anymore.

I went to Amscott and told them I never dealt with this company before and this was my first pay so to make sure these checks were good.  They had me wait while they called the cops.  The cops stated since I tried to cash a check the month before so I knew this was a scam.  I tried to explain that this was entirely different.

I told them I could take them back to my house and show them the contract and letters.  They would not and arrested me!  The police officer that took me to the county jail told me not to worry I would get out that night if someone posted my bail bond of 200 dollars. He could not believe that his fellow officer arrested me.  Even the booking personnel said it was a waste of tax payers money as I had no prior arrests and I don't even look like that type of person.  No one could help me as some of my relatives including myself have been out of work.  So I sat there for a month. Even the girls there with me said I did not belong there.  They said I look like a teacher or counselor which I was to them to keep myself from going nuts.

I keep getting other scams through Career Builder and I tried to notify them but they don't seem to be interested.