Asset Manager Job Scam PolarByte Consulting Inc
A reader contacted us after receiving a couple of emails with a job offer from someone named Roderick Stephens claiming to represent a company called PolarByte Consulting Inc. and asked us to check into it and see if we thought the offer was legitimate before they accepted it.
It didn’t take long to determine that this “job” was very suspicious and quite a bit didn’t add up. With all the typical red flags there was every indication that this is clearly another money mule scam and I’ll explain why:
The Polarbyte.ca Website
Below is a screen shot of the website at polarbyte.ca that was just registered anonymously for 1 year only on 2/09/2018 however in the emails you’ll see further down, Mr Stephens says they have been in business since 2004 :
On the website’s contact page they list a Canada business address of 550 11 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2R 1M7 and a United States business address of 100 Horizon Center Blvd, Hamilton, NJ 08691 in which neither address can be verified as the business location of PolarByte Consulting Inc.
In fact, there really is a PolarByte Consulting Inc business in Canada owned by Myles and Dana Rippenhagen and operated out of their home which is the business’s legally registered office address at 42 GLAMORGAN DR. SW CALGARY AB T3E 4Z2, not 550 11 Ave SW Calgary. And as I mentioned in the previous paragraph, there is no business by this name that can be found at 100 Horizon Center Blvd, Hamilton, NJ 08691 either or anywhere else in the US for that matter!
Also the phone numbers on the website (609) 528-7744 and (587) 324-2237 are disposable burner app numbers or Google voice numbers that are not connected to a physical business address.
The Recruiting Emails
Below are the 2 emails our reader received:
From: Roderick Stephens roderick_stephens@polarbyte.ca via sendgrid.net
Subject: Employment opportunity
Greetings (Readers Name),
You received a job offer. I am the representative of the company
PolarByte Consulting Inc. At the moment we have a vacancy for the
position of Manager. We received your resume from the Indeed website.
After reviewing your resume, we go to offer you a place in our
friendly team. Our company is located in USA. For our company, those
citizens who are currently in USA / Canada are preferable. I hope that
you will be interested in this. Everyone is important to us. I shall
wait for your answer. Thank you!Sincerely, The PolarByte Consulting team.
When our reader requested more information, they received this email a few days later:
From: Roderick Stephens <roderick_stephens@polarbyte.ca>
Subject: Re: Employment opportunity
Dear (readers name),
Please read the information below. I would like to tell you about our
company. At the moment, our company has a vacancy for an Asset Manager.
Company: PolarByte Consulting Inc.Please carefully read the information compiled specifically for you.
We work with top managers to help them make the right decisions,
transform these decisions into actions and ensure the sustainable
success that they are striving for. For fifteen years, we have been
passionate about achieving the best results for our clients – the
results exceeding the limits – financial and unique, pragmatic,
comprehensive and lasting. PolarByte helps to manage financial and
information business departments, hire qualified personnel and acquire
specialized equipment and technologies. We offer professionals for all
subsystems: consultants, certified project managers.The company is a brand, which connects dozens of professionals from
independent firms all over the world who cooperate in providing
auditing, consulting, financial consulting, risk management and
taxation services for selected clients.You can visit our company’s website: www.polarbyte.ca
Our company has been in business since 2004, and we are always excited
for a new qualified employee to join our big team. Our professional
staff is of utmost value to us.…………………..
Position: Asset Manager (10 business days probation period)
…………………..
Essential Functions:
– The primary function of the Asset Manager is to
assist in all aspects of the administrative, financial, capital and
operations of the assigned portfolio;
– Assist in the due diligence and underwriting of potential
acquisitions;
– Financial analysis, market studies and industry standard reporting
(i.e. variance reporting, discounted cash flows, IRR’s, etc.);
– Monitor and manage assets from acquisition to disposition;
– Collaborate with company analysts to accurately valuate client
assets.Requirements:
– Extremely organized and detail-oriented;
– Adept communicator both orally and written;
– PC knowledge and basic knowledge when using Microsoft Office;
– Ability to work extra hours when operational needs;
– You must be over 20 years old;
– Computer, mobile phone, Internet.
……………………………………………………..
Salary:
Full time: 1200 USD per week (62 400 USD/year)
Part time: 700 USD per week (36 400 USD/year)Working hours:
Full time: 9am – 5pm
Part time: 20 hours per weekThe probation period (10 business days) takes place at HOME.
……………………………………………………..Please write back for future information, if you are interested in
this position. We will contact you and continue the registration
process.2018 PolarByte Consulting Inc. All Right Reserved.
————————————————-
Roderick Stephens
HR ManagerPolarByte Consulting Inc.
Phone: +1 (609) 528-7744
Web: www.polarbyte.ca
Location: 100 Horizon Center Blvd, Hamilton, NJ
————————————————-
The fact that the position is a work at home-10 Day probationary period- is enough to be suspicious. Scammers usually only con their victims into wiring only one large transaction before the victim realizes they have been scammed and that task is given within the first week into the probationary period. So 10 days is all any of their “Asset Managers” will be employed and they don’t ever get paid.
The attractive, too good to be true $1200 a week salary is just bait to easily lure victims into their scam!
Also the fact that the email refers to the primary function of the Asset Manager as assisting in all aspects of the administrative, financial, capital and operations of the assigned portfolio, tells me exactly what will be required and that will be to accept a check or direct deposit from a fake client for services, then deposit in your own bank account, withdraw and wire the cash to the “company” before the bank discovers the check or deposit was fraudulent leaving the Asset Manager responsible for covering the fraud out of their own pocket!
So BEWARE and do not allow yourself to fall victim or provide any personal information to these scammers! They have stolen the credentials of the legitimate business PolarByte Consulting without their knowledge to create a fake website to appear as though they are the real business!
What To Do If You Are A Victim
If you have fell victim to an employment scam like this, you need to contact your bank immediately and close your account IF you have provided your account information to the scammers. Next file a police report with your local authorities and then file a complaint with the FBI’s internet crime center at http://www.ic3.gov/
If you provided your personal information like your social security # birthdate etc , you need to contact the 3 credit bureaus- TransUnion, Equifax and Experian, and place a fraud alert on your report. These criminals can steal your identity, sell your personal details on the dark web who may try and obtain credit in your name. Doing this will alert you for at least 90 days about any suspicious activity.
In the hands of a thief, just your name, address, Social Security number or date of birth, can be used over and over months- even years down the road to:
Open new lines of credit
Seek medical attention
Drain savings and retirement accounts
Provide an alias when arrested
Get a job or file false tax returns
Get Payday Loans in your name
Obtain service agreements for cellular service or utilities
Obtain Government Documents such as a drivers license or passport
And MORE!
That’s why I highly recommend you get some sort of ongoing identity theft protection such as the services offered through companies like LifeLock-Visit Their Website Here or Identity Force-visit their website here! LifeLock and Identity Force are both reputable companies that monitors your accounts and alerts and protects you from identity theft.
Have you received a Job offer from PolarByte Consulting Inc or other work at home “Asset Manager, Financial Agent or Financial Manager” job that seems suspicious? Feel free to copy and paste the info in the comments so we can help alert and prevent others from becoming victims.
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Disclosure** We get paid a commission when you purchase from LifeLock using one of our links.
Received similar email from “henry_winton@polarbyte.ca”.