I was sent a letter which contained a customer service evaluation form and a cheque dated Jan. 12/2012 from a company called Custodian Solution for $1,500. I was told to deposit the cheque, minus my fee of $150. The letter itself explains, "This assignment has been put together to be completed at any Western Union location. The objective of this assignment will be to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of a payment system called "Western Union" which is available at any Western Union Store or location."
"You are required to cash the enclosed CHECK at your local bank, minus your fee(s) and do the following:
You will pose as a potential customer sending a Western Union payment to
EXIE FARRELL, a "supposed" relative of yours in Bolton, Lancashire, U.K. The funds needed to complete this assignment have ben arranged and enclosed with this letter. For our verificationof assigment completion, please call the number above" [area code 416 - Toronto] "and also e-mail our office at
feedback@custodiansol.com to provide the Western Union Control Number (MCTN #) immediately after assignment completion."
My question: Isn't wiring money to a supposed relative, wire fraud?
Later in the same letter, I'm told to fax my report to a phone number [area code 315 - Utica, NY.
After the signature of Steve Dawkins Programme Coordinator, the letter ends with "
PS: Due to the nature of the assignment, the Receiver's Name, City and Country is all the information needed to have the assignment completed."
Custodian Solutions supposedly has an office in Hamilton, ON, where the area code is 289. As well, their website "custodiansol.com" is based in malaysia.
