This sort of job is rather dangerous in general. The US is less active about it than other countries are, but I know that in China you can go to prison for shipping art outside the country if it wasn't made recently. I believe that parts of Europe are the same way.

If you don't know what you're doing, you can easily find yourself breaking the law and held liable. I'd be very suspicious of this job posting just because it's purely mechanical and it doesn't sound like the OP would have any direct contact with the people choosing the artwork.

I'm not sure what the scam is exactly, whether it's stolen artwork or artwork obtained fraudulently, but I'd be extremely careful.

The letter says I'd be "properly briefed in order to carry out every task appropriately" to avoid authorities, I'm sure.

But I want money... :'(

I take it back. It's not a scam, IT'S ILLEGAL!!! :O

Yes there is a difference but I'd avoid it just the same.

Yeah, that's probably how I would interpret that. I think that if this was on the up and up they'd be a lot more careful about screening folks. I mean the person they hire could very easily just steal the work they were supposed to be shipping.

I'm sure reputable art dealers offer shipping at a lower price than what this guy is offering you. I'd be worried that the art might be stolen or contain contraband.

Could be to avoid authorities.

Could just be to ensure that artworks are carefully packaged and labelled. There are certain customs inspectors around the world that will absolutely smash the shit out of anything that passes through their hands.

I'm looking at you, Ireland and Scotland.

Can it hurt you to get more information about the job before deciding?

Then again....maybe the guy is just a really big RUSH fan!

He says he will reimburse him afterwords, which if I'm not mistaken will be never. I see these scams all the time, buy these supplies/goods and I'll reimburse you when I send your paycheck. Then they get whatever they wanted and since you paid for it of your own volition and if its in another country a lot of agencies won't even bother.

Since you aren't able to confirm yet, one way or the other, then I'll say this.

1) If it requires you to use even one drop of your own coin, like the other posters mentioned, in any capacity, then it's a scam period, and you are free to report it or stay clear.

2) This involves none of a penny that belongs to you period. Then go for it, you want! Here's the thing, most small companies often have their employees doing things a little outside of their job scope, especially if it isn't an actual skill-based position, like administration. My sibling had to do a lot of stuff outside of his/her job scope as an administrator for a tiny firm, but it's all legit.

And shipping art outside of a country and handling any kind of paperwork for the procedures is hardly an illegal act. If we are going to be suspicious about everything we thought we might see in a movie or video-game, at a time when work is scarce, then we mustn't complain when there is none.

But really, it is your call. You know your situation better than I do, so trust yourself, I guess.

Your comission and the funds to buy stuff is to be wired to your personaal account ?

If so it looks like a scam to move dirty money, from identity theft and such, through your account.

The 'purchase of art' won't go through and you're then to send the 'funds' back someplace (likely through Western Union or something like that)

No, he says he'll pre-pay for the art and wages. He says anyway.

Here's the letter, might make it easier to tell:

"Hello,

These is to acknowledged that all your information has been received and you have been given the job position, as my warehouse assistant your pay is $400.00/week.Funds for your wages and assignment will be made available to you within the next 48hrs, so you should have it before Saturday and you will resume work immediately, I want you to assure me of your Trust, Honesty and Commitment, i believe with that we can have sound mind working together. I will get back to you on your First task which will involve placing order for some artwork also picking up and shipping them out to my galleries, You will be properly briefed in order to carry out every task appropriately, Funds for the shopping and shipment will be provided to you.

I will get the shopping list and the funds ready as soon as possible, I hope we have an understanding ?

I need your confirmation on getting this message"

Broken English should probably be my first tipoff now that I think about it....

Damn you, desperation! Clouding my judgement all willy-nilly.

I feel you there. Times are bad and people are getting desperate. I'm looking for work myself and a bit low on funds. I was even desperate enough to look into joining a "for profit college". Basically it's an institute that promises to teach you a trade, but does not guarantee a job. In fact based on what I've seen, the graduation rate is not very good, nor program completion rate as well nor job placement clearly defined. The real problem with this sort of institute is that it makes the student take on monster loans they have no way of paying back if they don't find employment. This form of hucksterism is very much legal. The state I'm in just this year is starting to pass legislation regulating the loans and what the institute can do. I'm checking out trade unions to see if there is an alternative to this.

In that case, I switch my vote to the smuggling option. Either way he has already set off multiple warning bells for fraudulent activity. Not worth the risk in my opinion.

http://www.gog.com/forum/general/does_this_job_sound_legit_to_you/post12
Upfront, well the only thing he can do is to try it, if it ever does get fishy, just step away from it.

Adding another voice to "it's a scam". Reputable employers DO NOT operate out of an employee's personal bank account. The most likely scenario is that they're just trying to bilk you of your money, but a more insidious possibility is they're doing something very illegal and want the invoices to point back to you rather than them. Furthermore, legitimate employers will insist on interviewing you in person before hiring. If you get a job offer without an interview, I can virtually guarantee it's fraudulent.