We've got a fish on the hook!

I'm so thrilled! The con artist has taken the bait! Or, more accurately, the con artist believes that I (posing as Richard Cranium) have taken the bait.

Below is an edited version of the most recent message from "Diana Mosli," posing as a member of the American Express human resources department.

As I originally suspected, "Diana Mosli" is trying to set me up for a classic scam. I believe they will instruct me to make a number of small payments using my own credit card(s) over a period of time to a number of accounts.

When these transactions reach a multiple of $500 (or more if they could), they will send me a $500 American Express gift or traveler's check that looks very real. The real American Express web site (and hundreds of other sources) explains what happens next: "[The scam] starts when someone gives you a realistic-looking check or money order and asks you to send cash somewhere in return [or, in this case, paying by credit card]. At the heart of the scam is a fake check that you deposit in your bank account. Federal law requires banks and credit unions to make funds that have been deposited available quickly. Just because you can withdraw the money doesn't indicate the check or money order is valid. It can take weeks for fake checks to be discovered, and when they are, your bank will want the money back. You are responsible for the checks and money orders you deposit or cash, because you were in the best position to determine the validity of the check or money order - you dealt with the person who gave it to you."

As a triple whammy, your credit card information is now in the hands of the scammer and you've directly paid them hundreds of dollars unwittingly to accounts linked to them.

I'll soon formulate a reply to "Diana Mosli" and share it with you. You'll notice that her name changes at the end of the message to "Diana Kestler." I guess this scam artist failed to remember which name they're using today.

I'm going to see just how far and how much I can screw with these people before they give up me. This is going to be a lot of fun!

Follow up message
Good afternoon
Thank you for your interest in our job opportunity.

ABOUT COMPANY

American Express Corporation is a leading global payments, network and travel company founded in 1850, operated in over 130 countries around the globe . . . . [I've deleted the rest of this section, as it was copied and pasted from the "About American Express" page on the legitimate corporation's website.]

OPEN VACANCY

Due to our new policies we offer remote payment processing position to you which could be accomplished from remote locations such as your present job or residence. Payment processing includes receiving payments and processing them according to the processing protocol.

This position is a priority to employees with reasonable credit card debt and it will help to resolve this issue. Here are the sequences of operations employees must comply.

1.Employee contacts his/her manager with details on the debt.
2.Company you owe money to should be indicated and the amount that you owe.
3.Status of your account is standing at present moment where you owe money.
4.Our managers will work with you to develop a payment plan according to your situation.
5.You will be provided with details on the transaction and be given all information needed for deposits.
6.During transaction you should stay in touch with your manager to verify that all the details were followed correctly.
7.Part of the funds should be redirected after deposit is completed.
8.After transaction is completed please contact your manager with all the details on the transaction.

All fees, or any additional expenses which might exist during work will be paid off by American Express inc. After a probation period of 3 months transportation expenses will be fully reimbursed this includes buses, trains, car services, and leasing of transport.

[I deleted another long and uninteresting section here.]

EMPLOYMENT

If you are interested in this position and ready to start a training,
please fill application form and email it to us.

First name: _________________
Last name: __________________
Street address: _____________
City: _______________________
State: ______________________
Zip code: ___________________
Home phone: _________________
Cell phone: _________________


- Are you currently employed?
__________________________________

- Do you have any debt with any credit card company?
__________________________________

- If you owe money (credits) to several companies, please let us know how much money you owe to each company:
__________________________________

* During first training days your will receive money for the training from our company to your debits and will use this money for the training courses. You dont need to pay for anything, our company pays for all.

* Debt is meaning that you already past your due date and started to pay minimal or more then minimal payments to credit card company, even though you did not pass your due date while you still use your credit card and you owe money to the company to pay your bill you still will qualify and also if you have any cards where you have 0% for some amount of time you still can qualify for this position while using them.

Please give us up to 48 hours to process all the information and contact your with future placement details.

Yours respectfully,
Diana Kestler
Company Direct Employer, American Express Corporation