TODO, LLC Virtual Assistant Job Scam At V1S1.Com
Beware job seekers, the virtual assistant job scammers are still in business, only difference is the names has changed! This time they are scamming unsuspecting “employees” through a fake company called TODO, LLC 630 fifth avenue, new york, ny, 10111, operating through a website at v1s1.com. Below is a screenshot of the website:
We had warned our readers in March and April about 2 other Virtual Assistant Job Scams at WX,LLC and GIFT, LLC which in both of those scams they asked the employee to arrange a repair or copy of an original art piece with the Russian artist for a “client” which supposedly cost around $5000 and of course the Russian artist could only accept payment in advance through western union or moneygram. TODO, LLC is running this same money mule scam, only now the scammer also accepts Bitcoin!
A reader almost fell for this scam after accepting TODO, LLC’s job offer and just like WX, LLC and GIFT, LLC they were given a couple of simple research tasks to complete first and then the manager assigned a task to our reader to contact an artist in Russia to get a quote for a client. The manager goes by the name Mark Avilov using the email address: Mark HR <mark_avilov@v1s1.com> However, this picture below found in the employees backoffice that is supposedly Mark Avilov is actually a Russian banker named Ivan Svitek, From 2008 to 2015, Svitek held the position of Managing Director and Chairman of the Board of the Home Credit Bank in Russia. Ivan Svitek recently became the general manager of Alfa Bank of Ukraine. The scammers stole this picture off a news article!
Now Here’s the copy of that task:
Assignment Details
Assignment Number: 1_51042_3112
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. It’s a painting by one of Russia well known and expensive artists. They call it “Деревня” (“Countryside”, I suppose).
It’s hand made by the artist named Michail Smirnov (МихаилСмирнов). It’s pretty exclusive and expensive gift (up to $4,000).
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 – Michail Smirnov. This man is alive, doing well. His artwork is presented on his website
http://michail-smirnov.ru/gallery-id4.html
Our client had his email and website address, so it’s not so complicated.
Artist name Michail Smirnov
primary email boss@michail-smirnov.ru
Alternative email michail.smirnov@list.ru
website http://michail-smirnov.ru
Russia, 236000, Kaliningrad, Prospect Mira, 12
Ukraine, 79000, Uman, ul. Kievskaya, 31
Your task is
- to contact the Artist. (email)
he speaks English (our client bought this painting from the artist)- negotiate if possible to re-create this painting
our client will pay extra $$$, money is not an issue- Follow up the process so the client gets his copy ASAP. It has to be shipped to Dallax, TX
(We looked up the domain michail-smirnov.ru and discovered it was just registered anonymously on 5/17/17!) The employee proceeded and contacted the supposed “artist” and this is the response:
From: boss@michail-smirnov.ru <boss@michail-smirnov.ru>
Subject: my painting you asking informationsA good day!
Unfortunately, I do not talk to Russian. However, I can easily communicate by e-mail through Google translator.
Oh yes, I remember. I sold the painting to America about two months ago. But I can make a copy, if this is the same client.
I was not very interested in doing a copy, because the process is not very creative. And I have all the designs and sketches, drafts. I can not repeat. I’ll describe to you how much will it take and how much will it cost and you decide.Original size 47х126 cm. This is my individual art of drawing. It may take up to two weeks to paint and dry. Then I can send you the parcel or you take me.
I now have a lot of work but if you agree with my price I will find the time. The price of this painting – $ 4000 but it is a copy and I liked the customer. I have to do it for $ 3,900 if it is for the same buyer.Delivery service for creative work we have one – express delivery of Russia. They have a monopoly of the Ministry of Culture and Art of Russia and they do all the permits for the export of works of art. Other companies such as Fedex or UPS do permits and therefore can not send pictures through customs Russia.
You can pay me for shipping and I’ll pay them. I learned there are 2 options: train, slowly (cost $ 400, while 3-4 weeks), and by air express (cost $ 1800, 2-3 days)I accept payment by personal transfer system Western Union, Moneygramm or Bitcoin . Unfortunately I do not trust banks in Russia regarding payment from abroad. It is very difficult to accept international bank transfers or checks. One day I sent a check and I waited 48 days until the bank to withdraw it. Therefore, I agree to Western Union or MoneyGram. It takes 10 minutes and the money is available for withdrawal (personal translation)
I will be pleased to start work after the payment – this is my condition. I need money for materials and paints. Therefore, the work after the payment.
We have two offices – one in Russia and one in Ukraine. I’m traveling and there and there. So right before you send the money – with the figures. If I’m not, I’ll give you the one who will take the money.For your convenience, I have attached 2 documents. This bill and the contract, if you need to. Sorry – it took some time to prepare the documents.
If needed – here’s instructions for your boss:
1. Take note, we have a time difference. Be kind to provide proof of payment early so we could get the money in the evening rather than at night.
2. Send Western Union, Moneygramm or Bitcoin: personal translation (person-to-person). That the sender is a person (not a company) and the recipient is also a person not an organization, not a business.
Enter the correct name of the recipient. if there is at least one error – we can not get.
3. From our experience, we recommend Western Union to pay in cash, not with the card or the account it will be much longer and more difficult.
4. If you can not poison everything from one office – send from one part and the rest – at the other.
5. Divide the payment for 5000 and the rest. Do not send all in one payment as we can not get all of us. Only 5000 and the remainder as another payment.
6. Do not make more than 2 per person transfers from one branch.
7. When you have the money on hand, please contact me, I will update you to the recipient’s name, if I am busy. There are many other circumstances and it is better to clarify the details before converting.
8. You will need to bring your documents required driver’s license and also social security card etc.An hour before sending check – here’s my data.
First name: Michail
Last name: Smirnov
I’m waiting for confirmation from you.
All the best,
Michail SmirnovOffices
Russia, 236000, Kaliningrad, Prospect Mira, 12
Ukraine, 79000, Uman, ul. Kievskaya, 31Phone: +7 495 364-19-76
email contact: boss@michail-smirnov.ru , email contact alternative: michail.smirnov@list.ru
website pages: www.michail-smirnov.ruPS::: I not english speal, only translate, better email
Счет “___”_________ 2017 г.
Invoice
“___”_________ 2017МАСТЕРСКАЯ СМИРНОВА
Россия, 236000, Калининград, пр-т Мира, 12
Украина, 79000, Умань, ул. Киевская, д. 31
SMIRNOV ART STORE
Russia, 236000, Kaliningrad, Prospect Mira, 12Ukraine, 79000, Uman, ul. Kievskaya, 31
№ Наименование Количество, шт. Стоимость, $ № 1. “Деревня” (Масло, холст, ручная работа) 1.0 $4,000.00 1. “Сountryside” (Oil, Canvas, Copy to the original) 1.0 $4,000.00 2. Доставка самолетом, страховка, разрешение на вывоз 1.0 $1,800.00 2. Express fly, insurance and permission to export 1.0 $1,800.00 Всего: $5,800.00 Total: $5,800.00
And here is the email chains from “Mark Avilov” The Manager, Michail Smirnov and TODO.llc@comcast.net
On Thu, Jun 8, 2017 at 12:54 PM, Mark HR <mark_avilov@v1s1.com> wrote:
Great news!You can’t imagine how glad we are you were able to locate vendor and find out we can get a new one. I was under the impression this would be a problem.
Our client wants you to start ASAP. Required paperwork has been signed by the client and sent over to the gallery. They will be paying shortly. Please email the art gallery to make sure they expect the payment be ready to start working.
From: boss@michail-smirnov.ru <boss@michail-smirnov.ru>
Date: Mon, Jun 12, 2017 at 6:54 AM
Subject: OK I waiting paymentHallo!
OK I waiting payment when you sending it. But please see time difference and please try send morning your time so I not need go there night. But I have 24hour western union so can go late (but again please sending early).
Before sending please ask me this day to confirmation I take money or maybe I busy I give you one people. this important. I may be exhibition or another office not Russia. I travel.Documentations received OK
Please remember limit – not send all one payment, send parts.
All the best,
Michail SmirnovOffices
Russia, 236000, Kaliningrad, Prospect Mira, 12
Ukraine, 79000, Uman, ul. Kievskaya, 31Phone: +7 495 364-19-76
From: Todo Llc <TODO.llc@comcast.net>
Date: Wed, Jun 14, 2017 at 11:16 AM
Subject: Our client is having problems with paying for this itemOur client is having problems with Moneygram / Western union payment. They tried to pay with their corp. account online, got someone from Moneygram/Western union on the phone but it simply does not go through either because Moneygram is person-to-person payment system or because of the amount.
Please contact the client and ask for alternative way of payment.
As expected, here’s the email where they then ask the employee to deposit the money in her account and send the money to Russia:
From: Mark HR <mark_avilov@v1s1.com>
Date: Mon, Jun 19, 2017 at 1:24 PM
Subject: art project – your further assistance neededI just got off the phone with the client in regards to the art gallery project. Your additional assistance is required.
Our client tried to pay western union on-line from their corporate account. Western Union advertises it’s possible to submit payments online, but when you try to send more than $1,000 a day from the account it won’t allow that much. I called western union and they told me you have to do that from any western union office.
Our client told me they spent like an hour trying to do something online, as they are used to do everything from their cash management online and talked to western union customer care but no luck. They need your assistance at this point because it was not possible to send the money online.So, they want their assistant take care of everything. Since the art gallery requires only western union, our client will pay you the money for the art item(s) in advance plus your bonus and you will western union art gallery. You will be paid additional $150 for that assignment.
First of all, I want you to understand that part-time assistant is not only virtual work from home. You have to work on assignment locally. Assist with corporate gifting in one of your responsibilities. Our client trusts us, because we are committed to our clients, they have already purchased a lot of stuff using our services.
Normally, you would pay western union with the company card. However, as per the agreement, you will get the card only once you qualify your trial period. This is our company policy and we simply cannot provide company cards 1st week and then spend time on checking every expense.
You will find your direct deposit on this page (attached to this email)
This is exactly the same as we use for payroll as well. We expect our client will place deposit of approx.:
– $4,000 (Art Item)
– $1,800 (shipping)
– $400 (approx. money gram/western union fees – might need to re-confirm with them)
– $150 (Your Bonus)
=======================
Total: $6,350In case you can negotiate other payment options with the art gallery, so they provide with their bank account – our client will pay them directly. If no – your assistance is needed. It is important to realize that you are not required to take any action until you see the payment in your account. You may keep this account to received future payroll from our company. Please let us know if your bank charges some $$$ to set up an account. This amount would be sent together with funds for the art gallery, western union transfer fees your bonus.
Again, there will be no checks. Our client will pay to your account (or the art gallery if available) and you will need to work on it only once the money is in your account.
Please let me know if you have any questions. There are also other tasks already available, but I want to make sure this one is taken care of 1st before we get started on any other task since this client is very important to us.
1. Direct Deposit Form
I, _____________________________ _____________________________________________ (PAYEE NAME) (ADDRESS)
the designated payee or authorized representative of the payee, hereby agree to receive direct deposit payment to my bank account:
Account # _______________ Name on Account________________ Type__________
(checking or savings)
ABA routing Number for electronic payment(9-DIGIT NUMBER) __________
(Banks usually have different routing number in different state. Verify with your bank!)
Domestic Wire Routing Number(9-DIGIT NUMBER) __________
(You may need to call your bank for the branch routing number)
Bank Name ___________________ Branch Address ___________________________________
from: _ TODO, LLC. (and its Client) ______
(PAYOR)
Payment description: ___Send payment for: ART ITEM.
to the following individual or entity:
__ (ART GALLRY) SMIRNOV ART STORE___(NAME)
__Russia/Ukraine ______Russia, 236000, Kaliningrad, Prospect Mira, 12____________
(ADDRESS)
By filling this form I hereby certify that the bank account information is 100% complete and valid. I release and hold harmless any person, firm, or entity that discloses matters in accordance with this authorization, as well as from liability that might otherwise result from the request for use of and/or disclosure of any or all of the foregoing information. You are hereby authorized to make any investigation of my personal history academic/professional credentials, military service records, criminal, driving, financial and credit record through any investigative or credit bureaus of your choice.
Date _____________________ Signature _____________________________
The employee responded with this email:
The artist will only take Western Union, MoneyGram, or Bitcoin. In store is the only way to send larger sums of money as I said before. I am not sure why they are having such a hard time with this as the associate at the store should help them. There is really nothing more I can do to help them. The artist has not replied to my last two emails so there is no other way to send the money to him other than the ways that he asked for in the email. I am not sure what you are asking me to do with that form.
The manager proceeded to add the direct deposit form in the task assignment for the employee in which the employee realized this was probably a scam and refused to give them any banking information. She researched a little deeper and found their business address at 630 fifth avenue, new york, ny, 10111 was actually a virtual mailing address and the phone # (917) 477-3002 was always a busy signal!
We are so glad our reader realized this was a scam before she got taken for $6350! However, she did complete a W-4 which contained her social security # , name and address and now these criminals has her personal information. She told me the very next day after she refused to fill out the Direct Deposit form, that she received an email from Western Union (in which she has had an online account with for some time), that said her transfer was denied! She stated she never made or attempted to make ANY Western Union transfer! So it appears the scammers tried to use her identity to wire the stolen cash themselves!
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 ss # 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 and 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 TODO, LLC or other work at home “Virtual or Personal Assistant” 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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They scammed me. Not only did I not get my promised 2750 in salary. But they stole 7200 by doing a fraudulent ebay sale to my pay pal and then requesting a refund. So they have stolen around 10K from me.
If you were a victim please contact me so we can get them prosecuted.