MoneyMule - Explained

They were were advertising for Travel Agent / Order Takers. The job seems legit but after investigation we found out that they wanted to send a large check as payment to the applicant and have the remainder of the funds wired or western unioned to them until they got a US Bank set up for payment processing.

This alerted us that the job was a scam. Never western union or wire money abroad. Also associated with this company are these names and email addresses - Martin Pavlata in Accounting (supposedly) - pavlata@oldafricatours.com, Judith Hayes - hayes@oldafricatours.com. We repeat do NOT accept any checks or proceed with any employment with this company.

http://www.oldafricatours.com
bradley@oldafricatours.com


My name is Martin Pavlata, I am with the accounting department of Old Africa Tours Company. On behalf of our department I would like
to welcome you to the company.

As far as I know, the training department is waiting for another employee to join your training group.

You will be getting the check around 31st of August, a day before receiving the check I'll send you complete instructions on how to proceed.

Meanwhile as I previously mentioned the training materials are currently being prepared and we are currently waiting for 2 persons to join your training group. The materials are going to be sent to your address by UPS on 8th of September, our training rep will contact you when they go out.

I just received a check today and was asked to wire transfer it. however I am unsure as to what to do if there is anything illegal about this

Hello, I just stumbled onto this site after doing research on this Old Africa Tours. I too was contacted through CareerBuilder about what I thought was as genuine job offer. Then got the same deal as many have mentioned here with accepting the check as payment and wiring the remainder overseas.
I got a check on Wednesday via FEDEX from Texas for $4800 and some change. It is drawn against an Illinois based company. I contact Martin Pavlava at Old Africa to let him know the check arrived and that I was nervous about all of this. I told him how I found some posting on message boards with people saying what they were about Old Africa.

I said I would deposit the check but would wait at least 30 days and verify with both my bank and the issuing bank that all was legit. He informed that was fine.

So what should I do now? I am considering contact the company the check was drawn against. I found their info online.

Good idea? I am an honest guy and would hate to get involved in something illegal.

The webiste is now down. Looks like maybe it is unraveling?

I have recieved an e-mail from somone who also received a check and after a little investigation that person contacted the company the check was drawn off of and the company states they have no idea who they are.So I too contacted the company that the check was issued from and spoke with the owner and alerted him to what may be happening. I unfortunately deposited mine but it hasnt cleared and will return the monies and or have the company stop payment on the check so it ends up not good. This is awful. Please beware out there.This is a bad situation.

BEWARE!!!!! I had been doing some research on this company (Old Africa Tours) & couldn't find anything until today!!! Thank GOD I read all of this. I had received a check & I deposited it into my account. Thankfully it hadn't cleared yet & I never sent any money through Western Union!!!! I WOULD HAVE BEEN TOTALLY SCREWED!!!! THANKS SO MUCH!!!!

Please make sure you contact the company that the check was issued from cause they can come and prosecute you.Thank you to everyone who is posting on this.