scammed!

i've been looking for work-at-home jobs over at vancouver.craigslist.org - some of the ads are for admin assistants who can telecommute and transcriptionists. one day an ad for a data entry position popped up so i replied.

here's the reply i got:

"We are part of a growing enterprise started by 3 stay-at-home moms looking to earn income from home. This is a legitimate offer for self-motivated people wanting to make some extra income. You have the flexibility to work WHEN you want and HOW MUCH you want and therefore dictate how much you earn. This is a great way to make money for stay at home moms & dads, college students, retirees to pay off holiday debt, or just supplement your existing income.
Position Description:
We are looking to fill 15 positions by 4/27/07.
Your responsibilities will involve processing responses from online ads (this process is fully covered in the step-by-step training.) You may choose to work part-time or full-time, and earn $100-$300+ per week. You do not have to contact anyone by phone.
All you need is a computer with a valid e-mail address and basic typing skills. Each ad takes approx. 15-20 minutes to process - you will have a virtually unlimited amount of leads so you may work as much as you want and at the time you choose. There is no contract to sign and the amount of work you choose to do is up to you. This opportunity has unlimited possibilities - a perfect option for anyone whom wants their work to revolve around their life, and not the other way around.
Compensation:
You will be paid $10 for each order that you process. Payments will be made directly to you The typical rep will make $30-50/day with 2-3 hours of work."

either i'm too naive or too desperate for a work-at-home job that i didn't see thru it. i ended up paying the $10 to see what it's all about - only to get a 10-page "training manual" that basically says i have to repost the ad that i read if i want to earn. in short, con more people and get their money too.

now i'm not about to send more bad karma into the world. i don't understand how some people can do this kind of thing. the person who posted the "ad" - who says she is Kimberly Jennings (even on PayPal) even sent me a message with the "training manual":

Pia,

Welcome to the team! Congrats on taking your first step toward earning supplemental income. I have attached your training materials. (Sorry it's taken me so long, I've been running errands all morning).

Regards,

~Kimberly

kainis. i know it's bad to wish ill upon anybody but... may all her teeth turn black and fall off one by one til she can only eat baby food. and may she have perpetual hemorrhoids from this day forward. hmph!

so please, please, please learn from my stupid mistake and be extra careful when answering work-at-home jobs. the worst part is that people seem to be targeting stay-at-home moms these days... why, why, why???

obviously because we are desperate for jobs that will spare us from leaving the kids in daycare.