On August 13th, I was sent an e-mail from Peter Viento of Avalon Services. Offering me a job as a personal assistant. I was skeptical at first so as usual, I asked a lot of questions and I looked into the company as much as I could. After not finding anything and discussing things over with my husband, we decided that I should go for it. I started the so-called job and was confirmed as an employee on August 25th. I was asked to fill out a 2 week probation period contract and was assured that I would be paid $1000 every 2 weeks and was even offered a benefits package after 6 months. I recieved my first assignment and was asked to located all the limosine services in the area, especially ones close to the airports in the area, and list pros, cons, payment terms, and fleet options. Everything seemed ok, so I completed the assignment, no questions asked. I even had friends and family member who were seeing what I was doing and after they never found anything wrong, they wanted to seek employment with the company. My next assignment was to locate a statue for a client that was purchased in Russia and was broken due to carelessness of the employees at the airport. I was able to located the statue and even got in touch with who I thought was the original sculptor. He informed me that there was only one copy left and that he would be more than happy to send it to the customer for a payment of $3500 and to cover the shipping at $1700. He also told me that the only way to accept the payment would be through Western Union. When I informed Mr. Viento of the terms, he asked me if there was any way to open a separate account in order for them to send me the money to Western Union over to the vendor and if I did so, he would reimburse me for any fees required to open the account and that the client himself would pay me a $300 bonus. I informed him that I wouldn't be able to open the separate account and asked if there was another was to get the money to the vendor. After explaining the assignment to a family memeber, she became very curious and looked up this very website and we bagan to read the reports. The knots in my stomach began turning after the things I read. I immediately e-mailed Mr. Viento and told him that I was aware of his operation and that I refused to be a "money mule." I also informed him of how sick and sad it was that everything (rent, electric bill, car note, insurance, groceries, etc.) was all depending on the $1000 we had agreed upon and that if he had even a shred of decency in him, he would pay me the amount. Although, after reading the reports, I don't believe I will see a dime of it. I also told him that if he had a shred of sense in him, he would disregard any and all information he had on me and to never contact me again unless it was to pay me the money I worked for. I would not wish this kind of thing on anyone. It is bad enough that so many people are desperate for jobs and people like Peter Viento are preying on them for his sick operation. Prison is too good for this S.O.B. I just hope that myself and others who have been sucked into this and other scam operation receive the justice that they deserve.
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