A Clear Warning !

A lot of people in Australia have fallen victim to a clever scam that netted a mystery man several million dollars - and so far nobody can describe him because nobody ever met with him face to face. It all started when a Brisbane man replied to an online advertisement seeking solar panel sales people. All the communications were by email and he was asked to provide a scan of his drivers license, but it seems he was unsuccessful and heard no more about the proposed job.

Days later, the Australian Securities and Investment Commission was advised of a change of directors for an existing firm and it seems that this incoming sole director was that man who had applied for the job - and his scanned drivers license was given as proof of authenticity.

Things moved very fast from that point.  This company began offering high quality European produced solar panels for $ 15,999, seriously undercutting the normal going rate of $25,000 and at the same time advertising for sales personnel.   The sales people were offered commission only contracts and  began to service the wealth of customers replying to this phenomenal sales offer - and quickly began to rack up full order books.

Many were experienced solar sales staff drawn from other legitimate solar companies impressed by the quality advertising appearing on Facebook, Gumtree and in regional newspapers.   The very best discount price was offering for those who paid the bill up front.

Of course this was a very short term scam.  The sales people were eagerly awaiting their commission cheques and their customers were expecting the installations to commence and advertising bills were going unpaid.   Suddenly tracking numbers were leading nowhere, the company bank account was empty - the contents having been transferred overseas.  A liquidator was appointed to wind up the company.

People began to realise they had been scammed and their money was gone - forever.   There never had been any solar panels.  It was all an illusion, but it had been cleverly put together by someone who had run the entire operation just sitting as his or her computer.

That " sole director " had some embarrassing attention from both ASIC and the police, but a request to provide a photo drivers license as an identity check is a very normal part of most job applications, particularly so when the process is being conducted online.

The one clear warning was the pressure to pay up front.  That should be a flashing red light in any - and all - business offers. No matter how good the deal sounds, it is illogical business practice because all the risk is  borne by the buyer.   Good business practice progressively pays as the service reaches completion.

The scammed may get some satisfaction if the scammer has not completely covered his or her tracks and the investigation gets a conviction, but recovery of the money seems a forlorn hope.  Better to write off the loss in the name of " experience  learned " !