I received this junk last month. It is really sickening that these people make money off of the backs of poor desperate unemployed people. I have also received similar "offers" from "Chevron".
These have been forwarded to the US Secret Service, DHS, the Spanish authorities here in Abu Dhabi and Madrid as well as Fraudwatcher.org. They are a bit long but make rather interesting, and sometimes funny, reading. Good luck and I hope this will help someone not to become sucked into these scams!!:
Part One:
From: Tom Bowers [mailto:tm_bowers@yahoo.com]
Sent: Tuesday, April 27, 2010 12:11 AM
To: 'hr.vigoil@gmail.com'
Subject: RE: VOG-ES Applicant Online Interview
Dear Mr. Pinto,
With regard to your JOB REF NUMBER: VOG-SPAIN/298891/200910//ES:
Thank you for your interest in my Resume / CV.
There is no “Online Questionnaire” or interview link attached to or included in this email.
The only alternatives are to answer the questions on your attached Word document in a separate document or to answer these questions in this email.
It is unclear as to your expectations or requirements.
That being said, I would be interested in the following three (3) positions:
Marine Engineer(REF:034)
Electrical /Electronics Engineer(REF:036)
Operation Engineering(REF:041)
I have decided, for clarity and your convenience, to provide the answers to your questions below. Please keep in mind that I have been in this business for many years, as my CV indicates. I am not an entry level applicant as some of your questions suggest and will address these answers as best I can.
1. Briefly describe your ideal job?
To continue in my profession and increase my knowledge by remaining current in the pertinent technologies.
To utilize my knowledge and experience in the directing and training of my team and colleagues.
To increase my company’s ROI and standing in the professional community.
To maintain or increase the standard of living for myself and my family.
2. Why did you choose this career?
I have been exposed to the electrical field all of my life. My Father was an Electrical Engineer for Bell Laboratories (AT&T) and was on the development team for the 4ESS, telecommunication electronic switching systems. I entered the US Navy under the Advanced Electronics Program. Upon discharge from the Navy I began a career with the GE Company, subsequently becoming an international consulting engineer.
3. What goals do you have in your career?
As I have attained many goals throughout my life, my main goal of self-improvement remains the same. I believe the answer to this question is best described in question #1, “Briefly describe your ideal job”.
4. How do you plan to achieve these goals?
I have always attained my life goals, mostly, by hard work, study and a balance between family and profession.
5. Can you work well under deadlines or pressure?
I work very well under pressure and some of my best results have been achieved while under enormous pressure. Normally deadlines are arbitrary and determined using project “guidelines” which sometimes do not, or cannot, include all of the unforeseen variables. The reality of the project usually varies and the difficulties experienced should be dealt with as challenges. With a calm and professional attitude, the pressures can be alleviated and the project brought to a successful conclusion.
6. Tell us about a time when you failed to meet a deadline. What were the repercussions?
There were so many project deadlines I have been associated with and, as expected, some missed and some projects were brought in on schedule and/or under budget. The repercussions varied by customer, contract and project scope but the results were always the same: a completed project with a satisfied client.
7. Do you have reference list?
My most recent references are listed at the end of my CV.
8. Why do you want to work here?
To be quite honest, I am not sure I want to work “here”, wherever here is, although I do know Vigo is a quaint but industrial coastal city in Spain. I have attempted to research your company, as I do all interested companies, via all available means including phoning the number indicated (no answer), my contacts within the oil and gas industry, internet, etc., with no results. “VOG” is the stock symbol for Victoria Oil and Gas, located in London.
All that I have received from your company, VIGO Oil and Gas Corp., was this questionnaire. No position details or descriptions of responsibilities, remuneration, relocation expenses, benefit packages, etc. have been included or mentioned.
9. Why should we hire you over the others waiting to be interviewed?
Well, I cannot possibly know what knowledge or experience the “others” waiting have acquired or what is included on their resumes.
I believe my CV speaks for itself and I am confident in my credentials and my ability to successfully complete the tasks assigned. By the way, why would you hire anyone without interviewing the “others” to insure that you hire the most capable person?
10. Give us details of your present Employment Status.
As detailed in my CV, I am currently involved in various Mid-East and International field service, consulting and customer training assignments.
11. How soon can you travel down to any Location posted?
I am available to relocate and/or travel, as necessary, given reasonable notification and a realistic schedule.
12. What three Specific Job Positions do you target from the Company?
As there are no details given, the positions I have listed above seem to fit my overall qualifications.
13. Give us your full details on the Following; Full Name, Permanent Mailing address, Office/Work Mailing Address, Direct Contact Number(s), E-mail address(es).
All of these details are included in my CV.
14. What is your Country of Nationality? Is it different from your Present Location?
This information is also included in my CV… Nationality: USA. And yes it is different, I live, and have lived, in Abu Dhabi, UAE for over five years although my home of record is in North Carolina, USA.
15. What is your Future Plans for the Company if Permanently Employed?
Again, my future plans are dependent upon the actual position and responsibilities that I am presented. My plan, generally, is to work on a permanent basis for a reputable company for the betterment of myself as well as that of my employer.
16. What is your current salary?
Being in the consultancy business the salary varies. My published day rate for onshore is USD2500.00. Contract and offshore rates vary dependent upon the project and the client contract.
17. What is the expected salary?
My expected salary is, again, dependent upon my position and responsibilities. All remuneration, benefits, etc. are negotiable.
A few red flags that also caught my attention:
- My monster.com account does not show VIGO as one of the companies that viewed my CV.
- Attempted to call your listed number +34-672930119 a few times during the day with no answer.
- I sent an inquiry to Victoria Oil and Gas (VOG) corporate offices in London regarding any information they may have as far as an affiliation with VIGOIL. They responded negatively.
- VIGOIL sent a second identical email yesterday evening. (Along with the “48” hour deadline)
In conclusion:
If you are who say you are I am looking forward to hearing from you!
Although I do not normally respond to questionnaires such as this, I actually spent some very valuable personal time answering these questions seriously.
Keep in touch and regards,
Tom Bowers
From: VIGO OIL AND GAS SPAIN [mailto:oakubia@googlemail.com]
Sent: Friday, April 23, 2010 12:30 PM
Subject: VOG-ES Applicant Online Interview
Dear Job Applicant,
COMPLIMENTS OF THE SEASON WISHING YOU A PROSPEROUS 2010!!!
VIGO OIL & GAS CORP (VOG-ESPANA) has considered your CV/Resume as we saw at www.monster.com
Hence, We are sending you our International Online Questionaire to endorse and get back to us within 48hours of receipt..
Your application will be evaluated on the basis of the answers from the Online Questionaire alongside your Resume and you will surely be notified upon review of your whole submitted information, our salary and Perks are based on our candidates qualifications, and we assure all our candidates that the entitlements from our office are very attractive and suitable for all post.
Please find enclosed and attached, herewith documents for your endorsement, and also in the list are our current and available positions.
VACANT POSITIONS/JOB DESCRIPTIONS:
*Technical and Material Control. (REF:017)
*Material Engineering (REF: 018)
*Safety/Maintenance Engineering (REF:0! 19)
*SPAM! Engineering (REF: 020)
*Water Engineering (REF:021)
*Welder (REF: 022)
*Driller /Offshore and Onshore Engineers (REF:023)
*Project Management(REF: 024)
*Machine operators(REF: 025)
*Pipeline Engineer/Piping Designer (REF:026)
*Procurement Manager(REF:027)
*Personnel Management(REF:028)
*Administration Management(REF:029)
*Geophysist and Petrophysist(REF:030)
*Petroleum Engineering(REF: 022)
*Civil Engineering(REF: 022) (REF:031)
*Computer Engineering(REF:032)
*Architect Engineer(REF:033)
*Marine Engineer(REF:034)
*Mechanical Engineer(REF:035)
* Electrical /Electronics Engineer(REF:036)
*Telecommunication Engineering(REF:037)
*Accounting, Executive, Administrator Engineer(REF:038)
*Aerospace Engineer(REF:039)
*Surveyors Engineer(REF:040)
*Operation Engineering(REF:041)
*Emergency Medical Officers - Doctors/Nurses(REF:042)
*Accountant/manager/Adminstrative positions(REF:043)
Good luck! as you take steps to the right path in building your career.
Regards:
George Pinto
HR Personell
Part Two:
Hey George, Steve, Oscar and Romy or whomever,
Well, you guys ALMOST had me! Congratulations!
Very lucrative business you have. Where can I sign up? I could correct your English and update the sloppy Appointment Letter to make it more convincing to the poor person looking desperately for a job.
Thank God I am not desperate or poor. I told you I have been in this business many years.
After I received the email requesting the €1170 via Western Union, I did just a bit more research and much to my surprise I found this:
http://www.consumercomplaints.in/complaints/corporacian-sidenor-spain-c44089.html#comment
Amazing how similar the language is…just change the name of the company.
Remember all the red flags I mentioned in my first email?
Here are a few more:
- Conversations with the Spanish Embassy here in Abu Dhabi. They deny any knowledge of Vigo. I was told companies in Spain do not do business in this manner. The person I spoke to was actually angry that someone is giving Spain a bad reputation. You are now on record with the Spanish Government.
- No record of your company or the “vigo tourism group” in Madrid.
- Incorrect English and misspelling in your various emails. I might suggest you use the spell checker next time.
- 2007 Toyota Camry NEW? The laptop computer you offer is laughable, 1.6GHz, 256MB RAM‼ You MUST be joking.
- Upfront Payment of Salaries? Deposit that in my account and we will talk!
- Free Chinese web domain? (co.cc was a dead giveaway)
- I can go on and on there are so many others, too numerous to mention. I am not going to waste any more of my time.
NICE TRY. I guess the old saying still holds true: “If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is”.
Upon receipt of the “Upfront Payment of Salaries” to my “offshore” bank account I will call you.
Please DONOT insult me further or the next phone call will be to the police.
Again, Nice Try‼
Oh yeah, while I was writing this email, someone called me from +34 60 318 4580. Asked for “TIM” Bowers. Then no connection.
Come on…you guys can do better than that‼ I am very disappointed in you. Get it right.
Talk to you later,
Tom Bowers
From: Tom Bowers [mailto:tm_bowers@yahoo.com]
Sent: Wednesday, April 28, 2010 6:57 PM
To: 'VIGO OIL AND GAS SPAIN'
Subject: RE: Appointment @ VIGO OIL AND GAS CORP - SPAIN
Dear Engr. George Pinto,
Please find attached a copy of the Acceptance page as you requested.
I have also copied you on the email I am sending to the Vigo Tourism Group.
Thank you, again, for your interest and I am looking forward to our continued correspondence.
The Contract is quite detailed and very interesting, although I do have some minor questions that we can discuss at a later date.
I look forward to hearing from you in the near future.
Sincerely,
Tom Bowers
Local Cell: +971 50 614 3515
Email: tm_bowers@yahoo.com
From: VIGO OIL AND GAS SPAIN [mailto:hr.vigoil@gmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, April 28, 2010 3:23 PM
To: Tom Bowers
Subject: Appointment @ VIGO OIL AND GAS CORP - SPAIN
Dear Tom Bowers ,
This is an affirmation that your experience and qualifications where found successful for the requirements of VIGO OIL AND GAS CORP.
Please find attached herewith, relevant document containing the Prototype of your Contract Package for your perusal and approval. Upon thorough review and acceptance of this Contract Package, Send us a Scanned Copy of the Acceptance page.
Secondly, You are to make contact immediately with VIGO TOURISM GROUP in SPAIN who will embark on the Processing of your Paper work, Immigration documents for the immediate re-location to your duty Post and Job Commencement in record time.
VIGO TOURISM GROUP in SPAIN will on conclusion of Procurement of your relevant Work permit & Resident Permit Documents, assist you in your Visa Application and as well, the Hard Copies of your Contract Document(s) will be delivered to you through them within 72hrs.
This is in line with the Expatriate Statuary Law of SPAIN in compliance with the E.U Terrorism Act.
THE VIGO TOURISM GROUP CONTACT DETAILS BELOW:
VIGO TOURISM GROUP
ADDRESS: Calle Ayutamento 1 -
Callejero De Cerdanyola 28009,
MADRID - SPAIN
TEL: +34-67-299-06-17
FAX: +34-91-141-42-28
E-mail: vigotourism@ozu.es
CONTACT PERSON: STEVE INIESTA - VISA CONTROL
IMPORTANT NOTICE!
VIGO OIL AND GAS CORP will forward a Confirmatory Letter of Job offer to the Spain Foreign Affairs Ministry in your home country after you have acquired your Residence and Work permit papers from VIGO TOURISM GROUP.
There will be a mandatory Orientation/Training Exercise for all Newly Employed Expatriates which will take place within the Work Metropolis of VIGO OIL AND GAS CORP of the facility Plant in SPAIN and this Program will start 7 days on arrival for work sign-on.
Should you require more information, Please feel free to contact me immediately.
Congratulations! on your Contract appointment.
Best Regards,
Engr. George Pinto
HR PERSONELL
VIGO OIL AND GAS CORP
C/ JUAN RAMON JIMENEZ, 36 ,
046006, MADRID SPAIN.
E-mail: hr.vigoil@gmail.com
Website: www.vigoil.co.cc
TEL: +34-672930119
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