Focus Group Inc. scam

Focus Group Inc. Fraud

Don't Bear Internet Fraud

Focus Group Inc. scam screenshot (22-Aug-2009)

Focus Group Inc. scam. This is just the latest of the numerous highly generic Russian scam websites that has been set up to form a front for a money laundering fraud job advertisement. (The identical job was posted by the Calisto Trading Inc., Reynolds Investment, & Simple Investments fraudsters and others). It's a bit slicker than most but at the end of the day its function is to con you into believing that they are a legitimate company when the evidence clearly demonstrates that they are crooks. It's the same gang as brought you Epayment Solutions, Emarket Solutions Inc., Legal Operations Inc., Secure Operations Inc., Oranta Group Inc., Ketler Group Inc., Profit Financing Inc., Logic Group Inc., Maxi Group Inc., Fair Group, Fartex Group, MGPA Group Inc., Sky Group Inc., Idea Group Inc., Air Group Inc., Ideal Group Inc., Capital Group Inc., Fox Group Inc., Ebusiness Group Inc., Onicks Group Inc., Multi Group Inc., Single Group, DDK Group Inc., EFS Capital Group Inc., Eagle Group Inc. FCB Group Inc., TDK Group Inc., Ecos Group Inc., BBM Group Inc., Veston Group Inc. and the BCG Group Inc. among others. This template is the same one as used for the identical Dream Group Inc., TVS Group Inc., Flat Group Inc., CASE Group Inc. and the Focus Group Inc. frauds and has to be one of the more irritating flash ones around at the moment. The website carries a clear money mule solicitation, their multiple domains were only registered very recently, they are not a registered company and all their contact and location details are bogus.

This fraudster should not be confused with any legitimate company of the same or similar name - the above website graphics and the included money laundering job clearly identify the fake website and these fraudsters.

Focus Group Inc. : Evidence of Criminal Fraud

i) Focus Group Inc. claim on their website "The company was set up in 1990 in New York, the USA by three enthusiasts who have financial education", but the criminal's domain focus-groupmain.cn was only registered with 广东时代互联科技有限公司 Era of the Internet Technology Co., Ltd. Guangdong (now.cn) - 23-Jun-2009 for a period of only one year. A clear indication of a fraudulent registration.

ii) A webcheck shows that this particular Focus Group Inc. are not registered in the NY state business register, clear evidence of a fake company. Check for yourself.

iii) Our Partners: They used a fake Serfreport webpage to display a fake news item also to lend legitimacy to their company.The fake webpage is just a page on the criminal's own server.

iv) Our Partners: They use a fake News.de webpage to display a fake news item also to lend legitimacy to their company.The fake webpage is just a page on the criminal's own server.

v) Our Partners: They used a fake Yahoo finance webpage to lend legitimacy to their company by showing a bogus stock figure for the equally bogus Focus Group Inc. The fake webpage is just a page on the criminal's own server.

vi) Our Partners: They used a fake Businesswire webpage to display a fake news item also to lend legitimacy to their company. The fake webpage is just a page on the criminal's own server.

vii) Our Partners: They use a fake Stockhouse webpage to display a fake news item also to lend legitimacy to their company.The fake webpage is just a page on the criminal's own server.

viii) A Google search shows no internet presence at all for this particular Focus Group Inc., apart from their own fraud site(s), of course. Not to be confused with other companies of that particularly generic name.

ix) This scam is identical to the numerous scams listed above - this is clearly a serial fraudster.

x) Another identical Russian fraud and yet another set of fake Location Details (copied from their website)

(Bear in mind that these crooks are not registered as a legal business entity in New York State, so the following location details are bound to be bogus).

Main Address:
Office Suites
216 River Street,
Troy, NY 12180,
USA

Tel: +1 5187674294
Fax: +1 5183080241

• - A Google search for the address "216 River Street, Troy, NY" returns no hits for these criminals at that address, apart from their own fraud site, of course.
• - A Google Maps business search for the address "216 River Street, Troy, NY" shows no business of that name listed at that street address.
• - There are no Google hits for the above telephone number +1 5187674294 apart from the criminals own fraud site of course.
• - There are no Google hits for the above Fax. number +1 5183080241 apart from the criminals own fraud site of course.
All clear evidence of fake details.

xi) Here is the obvious money laundering position of "FINANCIAL AGENT" posted on their website:

FINANCIAL AGENT

This vacancy is valid for American and Australian residents ONLY.
AVAILABLE

Location: Australia, USA
Status: Open
Employee Type: Part-Time Employee

Major operational duties are prompt receiving and processing stockbrokers' payments for their further transfer according to the specified method. Detailed work scheme will be provided upon request.

Requirements:

    * Expert skills in managing payments and transfers between our company and clients
    * Knowledge of basic payment systems
    * Ability to schedule working hours effectively
    * Availability for 3-4 hours a day
    * Advanced PC and Internet skills
    * Minimum 18 y.o.

Payment basis: During the trial period you will be paid USD 2,300 per month. You will also receive 8% commission for each payment received from our client. With current volume of clients, on average, your overall income will amount up to USD 4,000 per month. After the trial period your base salary will be as high as USD 3,000 per month plus 8% commission.

Benefits:

    * Flexible working schedule
    * Possibility to combine this part time job with your primary occupation
    * Free training courses

IMPORTANT INFO:
Our analysts have been observing pronounced economic growth in all the departments of Focus Group Inc. during the latest quarter of this year. This became possible due to perfect and well coordinated work of our team! According to statistical data, 98% of Focus Group Inc. financial managers being employed for less than three months are completely satisfied with their earnings and would like to improve their professional skills and advance their careers with our Company. The management of Focus Group Inc. is striving for strengthening and expanding our corporation to get a hold in the major part of today's financial services market.

Click here to learn more of this vacancy

If you would like to apply for this position and learn more, please email us at job@focus-groupmain.cn. Time spent for consideration of your application can be drastically reduced if you attach your resume to your email.

In other words, just your average ILLEGAL money laundering mule position that will get your bank account and your assets frozen, and could earn you a criminal record. Clear evidence of criminal fraud.

xii) No legitimate company is going to spamvertise among the untrained, inexperienced and uncertified general population for a "FINANCIAL AGENT" acting as a criminal money transfer agent. It clearly defines Focus Group Inc. as a criminal fraud organisation.

xiii) The identical illegal job was posted by all the fraudsters other aliases as listed above.

xiv) More details of the money mule function as published on the criminal's website:

Financial Manager

Location: USA, statewide
Availability: currently available
Employment type: Part-time employment
Number of employees required: 3

CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS.

    * not less than 18 years old
    * internet access to reply emails promptly
    * availability by phone (1-2 hours a day)
    * a bank account to process payments
    * good credit history with your bank (new bank account is an option)
    * no criminal offense or convictions
    * experience in the field of finance is preferred

DUTIES

We are searching for people to process payments coming from our clients. Focus Group Inc. will provide an agent with detailed instructions as regards payment processing operations including sender full name and amount total for each separate case.

When funds enter employee's bank account, Financial Agent's duty is to withdraw cash and transfer the funds via International Wire Transfer or Western Union/Money Gram money transfer systems. The main advantage of our services is the shortest possible time within which the seller can receive money for the services/goods sold. If this operation is delayed, our clients are entitled to cancel their contract with us and we suffer financial loss. Therefore, successful applicant must be very responsible and careful!

TRIAL PERIOD POLICY

Successful applicants are offered the position on a probationary period basis (1 month). This is the period when a new employee will be trained and receive online support while working and being paid. A personal supervisor can recommend termination during/after the trial period depending on agent's activity. New employee should be responsible and strictly follow supervisor's recommendations to pass the Probationary Period successfully and be employed by us on a regular basis.

SALARY

During the probationary period we offer USD 2,300 monthly salary plus 8% commission for each payment processing operation. For example, an average $5,000 payment will entail $400 commission (but WU/MG fee is paid from this money, please see for more details below). Furthermore, we offer $50 bonus for each transaction completed by 11 a.m. (local time). With the current number of clients, on average, your overall income will amount to up to USD 4,000 per month. A successful agent may ask for additional tasks and earn more. After the probationary period base salary will be as high as USD 3,000 per month plus 8% commission. Base salary ($2,300) will be transferred at the end of each month to employee's bank account. Commission (8%) is to be deducted from the processed money.

IMPORTANT DETAILS

    * Financial Agent is supposed to process received assets during one business day, i.e. from the moment of money entering his bank account to the moment of re-send to our client in accordance with contract terms. If money enters employee's account on a day-off or holiday, all payment processing procedures have to be completed during the next working day.
    * Financial Agent receives invoices for each transaction every 14 days. This document is a confirmation of transaction validity, and in case of any (if any at all) unforeseen circumstances it will evidence your personal non-participation. All invoices will contain detailed information on money sender and will be both sealed and certified with President's signature.
      *After the Probationary Period completion, invoices will be sent every business day.
    * Since business transfers can be processed with delays, Financial Manager should specify each transfer as a private remittance. This provision is also applicable in case of a third party interest in the transfer.
    * Our clients appreciate our operational efficiency and are ready to pay extra fee for shorter transaction terms. If we manage to deliver goods to buyer within 10 days, the deal is considered to be fulfilled at the earliest possible date.
    * All the fees (WU/MG) are paid from employee's commission. HOWEVER, our company undertakes to reimburse part of expenses which are incurred in connection with money transfer (WIRE or by Western Union/Money gram system) should money transfer charges exceed 3%. All in all, your net profit will amount to 5-8% of the total amount of each payment processing operation.
    * We don't ask for any investment to start cooperating with our company.
    * The company offers incentive bonus program based on work results with regard to several factors, i.e. total sum of money transferred, payment processing time, etc.

OUR BENEFITS

Probationary period imposes restrictions on the employment benefits of our corporation. Financial Manager will be able to receive Focus Group Inc. employment benefits only after probationary period completion. Employment benefits will include:

    * stock options
    * child-care subsidies
    * flex-time
    * business casual attire
    * free training and professional development programs

*Detailed information concerning the employment benefits will be provided after probationary period successful completion.

Just more clear and irrefutable evidence of the illegal money mule function that these fraudsters are trying to con you into accepting. You will end up with your bank account and all your assets frozen, losing of a great deal of money and possibly facing criminal charges. Don't be tempted.

The above evidence clearly demonstrates beyond any doubt that the Focus Group Inc. website has been set up by money laundering criminal fraudsters purely for the purpose of spamvertising an illegal money laundering 'mule' job. If you are an abuse team that has received an abuse report regarding these fraudsters, please consider immediate termination of their services in view of the absolutely undeniable evidence of criminal fraud - please don't delay - these criminals will not respond to any communication from you, (all their whois data is false), but will simply take advantage of any attempt at communication as a delaying tactic to allow them time to carry on their criminal activity and prepare their next network.

Focus Group Inc. Fraudsters - current hosting details

Main Domains, Hosts and Registrars

Domain

focus-groupmain.cn
focus-groupli.cn
focusgroupinc.cn
focus-groupsvc.cn

Registrar

广东时代互联科技有限公司 Era of the Internet Technology Co., Ltd. Guangdong (now.cn) - 23-Jun-2009
广东时代互联科技有限公司 Era of the Internet Technology Co., Ltd. Guangdong (now.cn) - 23-Jun-2009
广东时代互联科技有限公司 Era of the Internet Technology Co., Ltd. Guangdong (now.cn) - 23-Jun-2009
广东时代互联科技有限公司 Era of the Internet Technology Co., Ltd. Guangdong (now.cn) - 30-May-2009

Host Network

CHINA RAILWAY TELECOMMUNICATIONS CENTER
CHINA RAILWAY TELECOMMUNICATIONS CENTER
CHINA RAILWAY TELECOMMUNICATIONS CENTER
CHINA RAILWAY TELECOMMUNICATIONS CENTER

Host IP

222.35.137.234
222.35.137.237
222.35.137.237
222.35.137.25

Active
Suspended or Inactive

Please notify me of any other current domains used by this criminal.

Domain Whois Data

Domain Name: focus-groupmain.cn
ROID: 20090623s10001s99778551-cn
Domain Status: clientTransferProhibited
Registrant Organization: focus-groupmain
Registrant Name: Joslin
Administrative Email: abuseemaildhcp@gmail.com
Sponsoring Registrar: 广东时代互联科技有限公司
Name Server:ns2.bubble-preorder.info
Name Server:ns1.party-reunite.cc
Registration Date: 2009-06-23 22:22
Expiration Date: 2010-06-23 22:22

Domain Name: focus-groupli.cn
ROID: 20090623s10001s99761349-cn
Domain Status: clientTransferProhibited
Registrant Organization: focus-groupli
Registrant Name: fernando
Administrative Email: abuseemaildhcp@gmail.com
Sponsoring Registrar: 广东时代互联科技有限公司
Name Server:ns1.bubble-preorder.info
Name Server:ns2.bubblepreorder.net
Registration Date: 2009-06-23 22:20
Expiration Date: 2010-06-23 22:20

Domain Name: focusgroupinc.cn
ROID: 20090623s10001s99443986-cn
Domain Status: clientTransferProhibited
Registrant Organization: focusgroupinc
Registrant Name: Lorraine
Administrative Email: abuseemaildhcp@gmail.com
Sponsoring Registrar: 广东时代互联科技有限公司
Name Server:ns2.bubble-preorder.info
Name Server:ns1.party-reunite.cc
Registration Date: 2009-06-23 21:46
Expiration Date: 2010-06-23 21:46

Domain Name: focus-groupsvc.cn
ROID: 20090530s10001s59465622-cn
Domain Status: clientTransferProhibited
Registrant Organization: Private Person
Registrant Name: Vito Corleone
Administrative Email: admin@emerge-groupnet.cn
Sponsoring Registrar: 广东时代互联科技有限公司
Name Server:ns1.party-reunite.cc
Name Server:ns2.bubblepreorder.net
Registration Date: 2009-05-30 23:32
Expiration Date: 2010-05-30 23:32

Criminal Registered Nameserver Domains and Registrars

party-reunite.cc - TOTALREGISTRATIONS - 19th. March 2009
bubble-preorder.info - Tucows Inc. - 18th. March 2009
bubblepreorder.net - NETFIRMS, INC. - 18th. March 2009

DNS Lookup: focus-groupmain.cn A record
Searching for focus-groupmain.cn A record at f.root-servers.net [192.5.5.241]: Got referral to B.DNS.cn. (zone: cn.)
Searching for focus-groupmain.cn A record at B.DNS.cn. [203.119.26.1]: Got referral to ns2.bubble-preorder.info. (zone: focus-groupmain.cn.)
Searching for focus-groupmain.cn A record at ns2.bubble-preorder.info. [67.215.243.211]: Reports focus-groupmain.cn.
Response:

Domain	Type	Class	TTL	Answer
focus-groupmain.cn.	A	IN	120	222.35.137.234
focus-groupmain.cn.	NS	IN	120	ns2.bubble-preorder.info.
focus-groupmain.cn.	NS	IN	120	ns1.party-reunite.cc.
ns1.party-reunite.cc.	A	IN	172800	194.165.4.63
ns2.bubble-preorder.info.	A	IN	172800	67.215.243.211

Looking up at the 2 focus-groupmain.cn. parent servers:

Server	Response
ns2.bubble-preorder.info [67.215.243.211]	222.35.137.234
ns1.party-reunite.cc [194.165.4.63]	Timeout

The host is CHINA RAILWAY TELECOMMUNICATIONS CENTER on IP address 222.35.137.234

DNS Lookup: focus-groupli.cn A record
Searching for focus-groupli.cn A record at h.root-servers.net [128.63.2.53]: Got referral to ns.cernet.net. (zone: cn.)
Searching for focus-groupli.cn A record at ns.cernet.net. [202.112.0.44]: Got referral to ns2.bubblepreorder.net. (zone: focus-groupli.cn.)
Searching for focus-groupli.cn A record at ns2.bubblepreorder.net. [67.215.243.212]: Reports focus-groupli.cn.
Response:

Domain	Type	Class	TTL	Answer
focus-groupli.cn.	A	IN	120	222.35.137.237
focus-groupli.cn.	NS	IN	120	ns1.bubble-preorder.info.
focus-groupli.cn.	NS	IN	120	ns2.bubblepreorder.net.
ns1.bubble-preorder.info.	A	IN	172800	222.35.137.235
ns2.bubblepreorder.net.	A	IN	172800	67.215.243.212

Looking up at the 2 focus-groupli.cn. parent servers:

Server	Response
ns2.bubblepreorder.net [67.215.243.212]	222.35.137.237
ns1.bubble-preorder.info [222.35.137.235]	222.35.137.237

The host is CHINA RAILWAY TELECOMMUNICATIONS CENTER on IP address 222.35.137.237

DNS Lookup: focusgroupinc.cn A record
Searching for focusgroupinc.cn A record at c.root-servers.net [192.33.4.12]: Got referral to A.DNS.cn. (zone: cn.)
Searching for focusgroupinc.cn A record at A.DNS.cn. [203.119.25.1]: Got referral to ns1.party-reunite.cc. (zone: focusgroupinc.cn.)
Searching for focusgroupinc.cn A record at ns2.bubble-preorder.info. [67.215.243.211]: Reports focusgroupinc.cn.
Response:

Domain	Type	Class	TTL	Answer
focusgroupinc.cn.	A	IN	120	222.35.137.237
focusgroupinc.cn.	NS	IN	120	ns1.party-reunite.cc.
focusgroupinc.cn.	NS	IN	120	ns2.bubble-preorder.info.
ns1.party-reunite.cc.	A	IN	172800	194.165.4.63
ns2.bubble-preorder.info.	A	IN	172800	67.215.243.211

Looking up at the 2 focusgroupinc.cn. parent servers:

Server	Response
ns2.bubble-preorder.info [67.215.243.211]	222.35.137.237
ns1.party-reunite.cc [194.165.4.63]	Timeout

The host is CHINA RAILWAY TELECOMMUNICATIONS CENTER on IP address 222.35.137.237

DNS Lookup: focus-groupsvc.cn A record
Searching for focus-groupsvc.cn A record at j.root-servers.net [192.58.128.30]: Got referral to D.DNS.cn. (zone: cn.)
Searching for focus-groupsvc.cn A record at D.DNS.cn. [203.119.28.1]: Got referral to ns2.bubblepreorder.net. (zone: focus-groupsvc.cn.)
Searching for focus-groupsvc.cn A record at ns2.bubblepreorder.net. [67.215.243.212]: Reports focus-groupsvc.cn.
Response:

Domain	Type	Class	TTL	Answer
focus-groupsvc.cn.	A	IN	120	222.35.137.25
focus-groupsvc.cn.	NS	IN	120	ns1.party-reunite.cc.
focus-groupsvc.cn.	NS	IN	120	ns2.bubblepreorder.net.
ns1.party-reunite.cc.	A	IN	172800	194.165.4.63
ns2.bubblepreorder.net.	A	IN	172800	67.215.243.212

Looking up at the 2 focus-groupsvc.cn. parent servers:

Server	Response
ns2.bubblepreorder.net [67.215.243.212]	222.35.137.25
ns1.party-reunite.cc [194.165.4.63]	Timeout

The host is CHINA RAILWAY TELECOMMUNICATIONS CENTER on IP address 222.35.137.25

***Latest News*** - Initial entry 22nd. August 2009