The old e-mail modus operandi of a bogus recruitment agency seems not working anymore, now scammers penetrated professional social media such as LinkedIn.

Recently I received an invitation to connect from a guy named ‘Kenneth Macspencer’ on LinkedIn. He sent a message inviting me to apply to their hotel in Canada. I replied stating that I don’t have a background in the hospitality industry, but he still replied with a list of opportunities in the said hotel located in Canada.

I gave a try as it’s an opportunity to work overseas. I also had same invitation to work in Singapore, but the difference is the Singapore job offer was a legit one. Of course I set my limitation. I told my husband if this guy will ask money, it’s a scam. If this won’t interview me, it’s a scam.

The fake HR acknowledged my e-mail and requested for more details, even a scanned copy of my valid ID. Please see below to have an idea how he enticed a prospect victim.

ROSEWOOD HOTEL GEORGIA
801 West Georgia St., 
Vancouver, BC, Canada V6C 1P7
 
Attention Applicant : 
 
We are sending you this message in respect to your previously received Resume , We are currently reviewing your CV and you will be notified of the result within 24 Hours, 
 
Meanwhile you are been requested to Fill and return the Short Form below and also send us a scanned copy of your identification
 
Full Name : 
Mobile :
Residential Address : 
Present Company :
Job Position :
Date Of Birth: 
 
 
 
Best Regards,,
Rosewood Hotels & Resort Canada
Online Admin : Mrs Sarah Gomes
—
ROSEWOOD HOTEL GEORGIA
801 West Georgia St., 
Vancouver, BC, Canada V6C 1P7
 
Attention Applicants : ______________
Job Position : Marketing Assistant
We are sending you this message in respect of your Received Information and Identification,  You will receive a letter from the hotel before Wednesday Afternoon 24/9/14  to notify if you are been accepted or not, 
 
 
Best Regards,,
Rosewood Hotels & Resort Canada
Online Admin : Mrs Sarah Gomes
—
ROSEWOOD HOTEL GEORGIA
801 West Georgia St., 
Vancouver, BC, Canada V6C 1P7
Attention Applicant : ____________________
Job Position : Marketing Assistant
Congratulations !!!
We are sending you this message to inform you that you have been accepted for the position of a Marketing Assistant You are to contact the Canada Travel and Tours on their contact details below , so they can guide you in processing your working documentations and working permit, 
Phone No :  + 1 646 494 9062
Note :  All documentations and flight ticket is been taken care of by the Hotel Management , All you need to do is to follow the proper instructions from the travel agency , 
Best Regards,,
Rosewood Hotels & Resort Canada
Online Admin : Mrs Sarah Gomes
—
ROSEWOOD HOTEL GEORGIA
801 West Georgia St., 
Vancouver, BC, Canada V6C 1P7
 
Attention Applicant : _______________
Job Position : Marketing Assistant
Your Start up / Resumption Date and Your Employment Letter will be Revealed to you as soon as you are done with the documentation application from the Canada Travels and Tours
Your Salary is Tax Free / $4500 Monthly / Weekly Allowance of $450
Its a Full time Job with Benefits , The Hotel management takes care of your Accommodation and Health
We Hope that this explains some of your query , As you are most Expected to  follow every instructions from the Canada Travels and Tours , 
Note : Your Flight ticket /VISA/WORK PERMIT  / has already been paid for by the hotel representatives, 
Applicant is only responsible for the Delivery Fee for your documentations to your 
Residential Address after your Travel Papers has been successfully processed 
We contacted the travel agency and they responded that you haven’t contacted them yet , we require you to do that immediately 
Best Regards,,
Rosewood Hotels & Resort Canada
Online Admin : Mrs Sarah Gomes

 

Before the 4th e-mail arrived, I made a research using these keywords: Rosewood hotels AND Canada AND scam AND fraud, “Rosewood Hotels” AND Canada AND “Kenneth Macspencer”. The result showed clearly that there are already victims of a scam using Rosewood Hotel.

I decided to contact Grace Camacho, the Executive Assistant of the Hotel via LinkedIn to report the modus. I also sent a message to Rosewood Hotel HR Facebook Fanpage, and communicated directly to the hotel’s e-mail address. They thanked me for calling their attention, but it’s a fraud.

Hello,

Unfortunately, this is not a bonafide job offer. We have heard of recent complaints of this nature; however, we would not use this type of method to recruit candidates. Please do not respond to these requests for information.

Best Regards, Melissa Fertitta, Corporate HR Manager 214-880-4262

—

Thank you for bringing this to our attention.

Kindly be informed that this person is not connected with Rosewood Hotel Georgia in Vancouver. All current opportunities are posted online at Rosewood Hotels and Resorts Careers. In order to be considered for a specific position, you will need to go through our online application process.

Warmest regards,

Grace Camacho|Executive Assistant

Rosewood Hotel Georgia, 801 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6C 1P7

telephone +1 604 673 7013 facsimile +1 604 673 7077

rosewoodhotels.com

Recipient of the 2014 Forbes Five-Star Travel Guide Rating for Rosewood Hotel Georgia and Sense, A Rosewood Spa.

—

 On behalf of the Rosewood Hotel Georgia, we would like to thank you for your email. We would like to inform you that the employment contract you have received is fraudulent.

Rosewood Hotel Georgia is aware of fraudulent recruitment schemes whereby individuals solicit for international employment via an internet-based email accounts bearing the Rosewood Hotel Georgia name. These communications are fraudulent and do not originate from Rosewood Hotel Georgia.

This is very unfortunate and I would recommend that you or your student report this person to the police.

Best regards,

Anne-Sophie Lacoste | Human Resources Manager

Rosewood Hotel Georgia. 801 West Georgia St., Vancouver, BC V6C 1P7

telephone +1 604 682 5566 direct +1 604 673-7026 facsimile +1 604 673-7078

rosewoodhotels.com

Please consider the environment before printing this email

Recipient of the 2014 Forbes Five-Star Travel Guide Rating for Rosewood Hotel Georgia and Sense, A Rosewood Spa.

—

What I am anxious of at this moment is the information I sent to this criminal. He might use my identity for scamming other people. He might put me in a bad light. In case there would be another me adding you on LinkedIn and other social media, it’s not me. He could use my credentials to fool other people.

Thank God I can’t be easily enticed by this act.

Here are some important points to tell that the conversation is a scam.

  1. Consistency of the message. They can just copy and paste and missed important details while communicating.

My query:

Hello Kenneth,

It seems that you’re headhunting for lots of posts. Is that for a new hotel in Canada or somewhere else? I read England somewhere in the description. Thanks.

Sent from LinkedIn for Android

http://lnkd.in/android

  1. Grammar!
  2. After enticing you with all free stuff and benefits, the scammer will email you again asking you to follow steps from the travel agency. He will ask you to pay the tax and documentation stuff.
  3. The scammer uses a free e-mail such as yahoo, gmail, hotmail, outlook etc.
  4. If you’re in doubt, check http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/