A woman in Vero Beach called the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office after becoming a victim of an employment scam.
Deborah Murry and approximately 30 other applicants applied for a local job on a website, but little did they know they were in for a big surprise.
After applying, Murry received an email advising that a Mrs. Karen Hernick would be in contact to schedule an online interivew.
To get started, the applicants had to download a program called “Google Hangout” messenger to conduct the interview from their homes in Vero Beach.
Murry downloaded the program and conducted the interviews with Hernick. The interview was professional, and Murry was asked about her past employment and other general questions. It all seemed legit.
Then, Murry was told she had obtained a job with the company GWA Group Limited. During the final interview, Hernick told Murry she needed to download a mobile banking app. This app would allow her to retrieve a check from the company.
“Once the money was in Murry’s account she would withdraw it all. Murry would retain $150 for a signing bonus and send the rest to a trusted vendor for office equipment,” the report said.
Murry was advised the money sent to the vendor would need to be sent by Cash Deposit, Western Union or Money Gram.
Hernick sent the check to Murry, which was deposited into the bank. The check appeared to have been issued by Key Bank for Cooper Surgical, 95 corporate Drive, Trumbull CT 06611.
The bank then contacted Murry and told the check was fraudulent, crashing all hopes of obtaining a job. They stated the account number was fake. The fake check had the numbers “000231563” “:021300556:320993200627” printed at the bottom.
Murry contacted Key Bank and advised them of the fake check. She then provided police the check in a plastic bag so that it can be checked for fingerprints. Murry also provided copies of the interview as well as the emails she received.