Fresno Inc contacted me regarding a potential job opportunity as a virtual assistant with their company. I went online and applied for the position posted and received confirmation that I had been hire and they included an employment agreement. They explained my role within their corporation through email and provided me with my first research assignment.
I complete three assignments prior to the art gallery scam. The assignments mentioned did not require any money to change hands. Once I received the assignment for the art gallery I did not think twice. Here is the correspondence that I received. I was had to download it from their website (the company issued me a long in user name and password):
Assignment Details
Assignment Number: 00168-212
Assignment Type: Personal Request from the existing client
Due Date ASAP
Task Description
When travelling to Eastern Europe or Russia our client has personally purchased a gift for his European partners. Its a painting by one of Russia well known and expensive artists. They call it??? (View of the bay translation, I suppose).
Its hand made by the artist named Natishev Alexey (???). Its pretty exclusive and expensive gift (up to $10,000).
Unfortunately, this painting was damaged. The only photo we have is attached. Quality of this photo is very poor. Considering dimensions of the painting it is impossible to make a photo-copy or the painting. So the only option is have the same artist re-create this painting Natishev Alexey. This man is alive, doing well. His artwork is presented on his website
http://rublevkaart.Ru/land2.html
Our client had his email and website address, so its not so complicated.
Artist name Natishev Alexyi Valerievich
email [email protected]
website http://rublevkaart.Ru
Address Viliamsa st, 32, office 4
City Sankt-Peterburg, Russia, 197704
Lenina st, 3,97455, city Evpatoria, Ukraine
Your task is
1) to contact the Artist.
He speaks English (our client bought this painting from the artist)
2) negotiate if possible to re-create this painting
our client will pay extra $, money is not an issue
3) Follow up the process so the client gets his copy ASAP. It has to be shipped to San Diego, CA
After I received this request I immediately contacted the art gallery and received a response (which I will forward you if requested). I then received an email stating that the client would need my assistance in purchasing the painting. I had provided this company with my banking account information for direct deposit purposes. They informed me that the client would wire the money to my account and that I would need to wire it to the art gallery. A person contacted me stating that he was from their company security, and verified who I was. They knew information about my family, that I did not provide them. For instance they knew my family members names, where they lived, and other information. I thought it was their protocol. After this phone call I was told that the money was in my account and that I needed to forward it to the art gallery in the UKRANE. I did exactly what I was instructed in the email and provided the person (Michael Robe HR Manager) with the information. I am currently working with the bank to get this matter resolved. With the economic times in such disarray people are desperate to find a method of obtaining additional income. I am also a victim, and I pray that this does not occur to anyone else.
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