travel coordinator too good to be true?

that business may be legit but they aren't associated with it.   and i'm beginning to wonder if that's a fake website anyway.   no real contact information.   it's a scam and they are trying to fraud you and leave you high and dry when that check comes back as not good and the money is already gone.

There is ONE sure way to know a job offer scam. Purchase scam. Just about any kind of scam. Answer? - Money. It involves you sending money (for anything any reason) by a 'Cash wire transfer service'. (Western Union, Money Gram, Money Pak, etc.) These services involve CASH, untraceable CASH. Absolutely NO - NO - NO - real business uses these services. They are NEVER to be used for a business transaction, or to send money to someone YOU do not personally know. If you hear words like 'Prepaid credit cards' 'Western Union' 'A check, plus an extra $$$' - you are dealing with a scam.

Yah they sent me a fraudulent check too, and I told this to the bank . I did all this last Friday, so I still have the fraudulent check just incase I need to report this company.

Raymond: do you think I should email back Melestina and say that this is a fraudulent check? Or should I not respond altogether?

Why would you reply to a scammer????  Take the check and envelope to the post office and forward it to the postal inspectors.

Daniel: did you get another email from Melestina today?

My immediate thought = scam! run for the hills! disinfect your computer! block all contact!
Hotmail & gmail accounts = big red flag (waving...waving...waving).
Bad grammar and sentence structure = bigger red flag.
Cashing somebody else's checks in your account!! = giant red flag...and bank fraud and money laundering (both federal crimes).
I believe you are being set up.  My suggestion is to block all contact and don't look back.

Lol, umm, oldest scam around. Cash some checks for me.  Anyone falling for it, should not be on Linkedin they should be working at Taco Bell.

And today i received a new email from her. Here is what it said:

Dear Alexis,

How are you?
Unfortunately, you have not transferred the customer money, and this significantly spoils our business reputation. We hope, you
understand that your poor performance puts our sales to a stop and endangers our operations in general, particularly in the USA.
So, we can recommend you 3 ways:

-First way:
You transfer the 95% of the funds today via MoneyGram to our manager: you take your 5% from the total amount and pay the MoneyGram
fees from our part of funds. After that email me the report on the transfer (reference number and the sum sent). and we will forgot
about this incident and continue working.

-Second way:
You take only a $500.00 from the total amount as a compensation for all your work and transfer the remaining funds to our manager
via MoneyGram, email me the report, and as soon as the funds arrive, we forgot about everything and cancel the Contract. So, we'll
not continue working if you choose this way.

-Third way(the worst for both parts)
You don't transfer funds to our manager and break the Contract. This way we contact the customer asking him to cancel the payment,
and we will file a suit and charge you for fees also (attorney's fees and the compensation for the delay with the payment about
0,1% of the total amount for 1 day delayed). So, I believe that the first and second way is the most suitable for you and for us.

PLEASE LET US KNOW YOUR DECISION.
Have a great day!

Sincerely,
Melestina Aguilar

..............lol llike how in the world can the charge me fees when they dont even have my social security information?

I got the number from this so-called assistant of Melestina . His name is Michael, and he left me a voice message. Would you like his number? Maybe you could also give hnim a call and get some info to see if this is all legit or a scam...let me know

...it's obvious these emails are a scam attempt!  No point in contacting a scammer!

...there is no cure for being  gullible or  having the lack of effort to read any helpful posts.

The key word is MONEYGRAM transfer!!!  That is such a red flag a blind person could see it!  That is untraceable like cash.
Your banker said the check was a fraud!!!  Why are you still asking if it is real?????

Alexis, I hope to God you are using irony.  You seem to be of three minds.
   Part of you wants to believe that this is a scam, and you can mess with them without fear.
   Part of you seems to want to believe this is NOT a scam, and everything will work and you will make $$ money.
   Part of you sounds genuinely worried about your well-being.  Thinking that if you decide to not send the money
   that is being demanded, what might happen?  What is the worst they can do?

I don’t think you went into this with a clear mission or goal in mind.  Did you do any research about just how to run this game you are playing?  Some call this the 419 games or 419 scam.  This is the big leagues now.  I bet a nickel that old Melestina knows you are scared, indecisive.  Knows you did not cover your trails, and will know how to manipulate you and your fears.  This is NOT his first rodeo.

PLEASE Read this.  If I am hard on you, I want your attention!!

- Your name.  Did you use either your real name or a logical (to you) variation?  Or something easily found?
- They sent you a check.  To a blind drop or to your home?  With your name and address, what do they need your social for?
- They have a phone number.  Is that attached to a billing address?  You should have used a burner cell. A phone that is   untraceable.  If you used a landline, with billings coming to your house, that is bad.  You should have bills going to a drop box.  Melestina will not send stuff to PO box, so I am worried for you.
- Your e-mail.  Is that an e-mail addy you have used for a long time?  If it is gmail that is some comfort, but you can be sure no matter what, it is NOW toast.  You risk death by spam, and maybe even a nice virus that can let your new friends get right inside your computer.
-  Is your facebook or twitter or tumblr associated with that e-mail?  Or extensions of your logical name? ie – can you be tracked through your social media accounts?  You have web site?   I hope YOU don’t have a LinkedIn account that can be found, that maybe has your job info or even a resume on it.  Old job info is just as bad as current.

I am not going to tell you what to do.  You wanted to play in this game.  You have the right to your own mistakes.  Likewise, I can’t evaluate your risk.  But there is risk.  You have doubts.  I am betting you did not cover your trails on your name and address, much less e-mail, social media and the like.   I will say this: These are criminals.  Bad guys.  And you have pissed them off.  You went in without a clear mind and a clear goal.  You are a hopeless amateur and have put yourself and anyone living with you, at risk.  I hope I got your attention.

PS - Post back and let us know where you stand on your security - what you have and have not done.  And please be honest.  If you come here and are asking for advice and help, and you are open about where you messed up,  There are regulars here who will help.  That is the power of this Forum.

I gave you a stern wake-up call.  You need to know you are in over your head.  You got your spankin' and I hope got you thinking.  Let's figure how to best help you.

That done, how about those reading these posts cut Alexis a break?  She knew not what she was getting into.

We all have family or friends who, there but the Grace of God, might make mistakes someday and need the BEST this board has to offer:  Experience, strength and hope.  A scoop of knowledge on the side.  /// Peace!

Yah I appreciate the feedback! Sometimes I need advice about things, especially with a situation with which ive never dealt with before.