Today’s batch of job scam emails is very similar to the ones we wrote about on May 8 and May 12. Like the previous rounds, the scam uses the name of a real professor from the UVic Department of Computer Science to make the offer seem legitimate. As a refresher, here are the red flags in the email that indicate this offer is a scam:
- The emails come from Gmail addresses. A legitimate UVic research job opportunity should come from a UVic email address.
- The sender of the email differs from the professor named in the signature block. Inconsistencies like this can be a sign that the offer isn’t legitimate.
- The email tries to shift the conversation off UVic email to Google Chat to evade monitoring.
- The offer is too good to be true–$315 for 7 hours of work a week is more than twice the minimum wage in BC.
We have since learned that people who respond to the scammer will be told they got the job without having to go through an interview or even meet the professor (not even virtually). This is yet another sign that the supposed opportunity is a scam.
The scammer will then proceed to build trust by sending tasks for performing market research for office equipment and supplies. Eventually, this will culminate in asking the victim to purchase office supplies by sending their own money to a specified “supplier” (actually the scammer) and that they will be reimbursed later (which of course doesn’t happen).
If you received this email, do not reply to the scammer with your resume or contact information. If you did, cease contact with the scammer and reach out to the Computer Help Desk for assistance. If you forwarded the email to other people, recall the message and contact the recipients immediately to warn them of the scam.
Subject: Part-time Job Opening
From: Dr Henry Garcia <dr[redacted]@gmail.com>Notice: This message was sent from outside the University of Victoria email system. Please be cautious with links and sensitive information.
The service of a Student Assistant is urgently required to work part-time and get paid $315 weekly. Tasks will be carried out remotely and work time is 7 hours in a week.
If interested, submit a copy of your updated resume and a functional google chat email address to our Department of Computer Science via this email to proceed.Sincerely
[name redacted]
Professor
Department of Computer Science
Office: ECS [room redacted]
Subject: Part-time Job Opening
From: DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES <dr[redacted]@gmail.com>The service of a Student Assistant is urgently required to work part-time and get paid $315 weekly. Tasks will be carried out remotely and work time is 7 hours in a week.
If interested, submit a copy of your updated resume and a functional google chat email address to our Department of Computer Science via this email address to proceed.Sincerely
[name redacted]
Professor
Department of Computer Science
Office: ECS [room redacted]