Scum scammers

Scammers operate on various levels but no matter how professional a scam is, it stoops to the lowest of moral standards. This is about a professional scam I encountered back in 2019.

I started looking for jobs a few months before my graduation. I applied dozens of jobs and among all of them, one replied. The so-called "boss" asked me to meet with him for an interview at his office and the office address he told me gave me a very good impression.

It was located at one of Melbourne's recently finished premium office towers. High level, views, and all. The "boss" told me to suit-up so I brought my A-game to the interview; navy pinstripe suit, wide tie, and all the bells and whistles. A young almost graduate guy in his power suit ready to nail the interview.

There I stepped into the lobby, giving me chills and excitement. The building's lobby is grand; high ceilings, top of the game, gold everywhere, touch screens everywhere kind of environment. It was very sophisticated and elegant at the same time with large white leather couches and lounge chairs spread across the black marble floors. Immediately I was greeted by a receptionist who was standing behind an enormous white marble counter. I asked the lady to lead me to the office of the "company". The building is a shared office building so there were many tenants. As a five-star office tower receptionist, she was extremely helpful. She looked at touch screens, clicked here and there to find the information. No information came out regarding the "company" I came for.

I thanked the lady and just patiently waited for the boss man. I looked around and saw myself working here everyday. I called the guy and shortly afterward, he came out of the shiny elevator doors to usher me upstairs. We took the elevator and walked to his office and of course both of us in our power suits. I had a good feeling about this job until he opened the door.....

It was a small empty room with one desk, one chair, and one stool. And of course, two guys in power suits. I was very skeptical about the first impression. But what the hell? I came a long way so I might as well have a conversation with this "boss". After a few chats, I realized the job he was offering was different from what he posted. So in a nutshell he said he will be giving me a list of telephone numbers to call every day and I have to persuade random strangers to attend a "free" property investment sessions by the company in which the company will provide "free" investment advice, mortgage advice and loan management. He even told me that we will be giving "free" in-house consultations and investment advice to them at their homes if they are unavailable to come to the sessions. He had a list of questions and responses printed to ask the strangers on the phone. He showed me those and asked me to memorize how to talk with them. It was literally a textbook for telephone scamming.

Anyway, I came back. I did not accept the job. I am not stupid enough to become an accomplice. So it was a day wasted; energy, time, and hope.

I am pretty sure he rented that room for a day just to "interview" me. I mean he was sitting on a stool across the only table in the room from me, who was sitting on a plastic chair.

But it was an experience and a lesson well received. What a joke!