Partners Group reviews and complaints

You go to Craigslist to try to find a job, and what do you get? A scam! Someone trying to take your money.

This scammer (William Frey) has several different names he uses to do this scam. He emailed me from [protected]@gm​ail.com and told me my training would last 2 weeks and I would have to be online everyday at 9 am to recieve training.
This is some of the content from the emails from William Frey:
The first email came from this email address: [protected]@gmail.com
It said:
"Hello,
Your resume has been successfully reviewed for the Ad published
on (CRAIGSLIST) and found suitable for our home based Data
Entry/General Office Clerk/Receptionist, Clerk Position, Clerical
&Administrative.If you interested in this position, set up a screen
name with the yahoo instant messenger (www.messenger.yahoo.com) and
add up the company screen name listed, williamfrey2011 .This is his
screen name with yahoo instantmessenger:"[protected]@yahoo.com
Interview Date.Monday -March 28th ...2011
Interview time-9am to 5pm or you are to be online all day
Your swift and timely responses matters a lot in this position, you can Make
your self available online now if now is the best time for the Interview
Or Monday To Friday ...9am your time OK... Yours sincerely"
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The next email was from [protected]@gmail.com
It said:
"I am pleased to inform you that the, Partners-Group are, hiring
Accounting Clerk/Data Entry Clerks/Admin Clerks/clerical, to work
from home in our account receivable unit. 20$an hour

Job Purpose:
Maintains database by entering new and updated customer and
account information. Utilizing your clerical and office experience,
you will be a valuable member of our data entry team.

Requirements:
Prepares source data for computer entry by compiling and sorting

information; establishing entry priorities.
* Processes customer and account source documents by reviewing
data for deficiencies; resolving discrepancies by using standard
procedures or returning incomplete documents to the team leader

for resolution.
* Enters customer and account data by inputting alphabetic and
numeric information on keyboard or optical scanner according to
screen format.
* Maintains data entry requirements by following data program

techniques and procedures.
* Verifies entered customer and account data by reviewing,

correcting, deleting, or reentering data; combining data from both
systems when account information is incomplete; purging files to
eliminate duplication of data.
* Tests customer and account system changes and upgrades by

inputting new data; reviewing output.
* Secures information by completing data base backups.
* Maintains operations by following policies and procedures;

reporting needed changes.
* Maintains customer confidence and protects operations by

keeping information confidential.
* Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as

needed.

We specialize in Private Equity Private Debt Private Real Estate
Private Infrastructure Listed Private Markets
Absolute Return Investors & Media Products/Mandates
Fast and accurate 10-Key/Typing skills
Ability to work with Excel Spreadsheets and Excel Macros
Good written and oral communication skills.
Excellent organizational skills, with special attention to detail and

deadlines.Highly motivated individual with the ability to work on

multiple tasks.Good general computer knowledge.
Past accounting experience a plus.

- 2 weeks paid training programme.Work hours are from 9am-1pm EST
daily Mon-Fri and you are also
expected online at yahoo messenger during working hours.

-Training pay:$20/hr
-Pay mode: Bi-weekly
-Pay method: Checks and Money orders
-Benefits include: 401k, health and dental, paid vacation and 2

weeks sick leave
-You will be enrolled for this benefits after 2months after which
you would become a regular employee of company
Daily task will be given to you online at yahoo messenger and also
via email.

The company will mail you a check to purchase necessary working
materials which includes:4 in one (fax, scanner, copier and printer),
Zebra ZM400 Barcode printer and cards, 4 drawer cabinet and
office-desk, HP Pavilion HDX18-1180US 18.4-Inch Laptop (2.0 GHz
Intel Core 2Quad Q9000 Processor, 4 GB RAM, 500 GB Hard

Drive, Blu-ray Drive, Vista Premium).
You would be Given the Following to start work with after

training: *
Staff User Name and Password for Our Website Link ( For easy access to
company data and task for each day )

Interview Questions

1. Briefly describe your work experience, especially the
administrative and customer service aspects.

2. Describe your computer experience including applications used

(MS
Word, Excel, etc.), computer environments (Windows, Macintosh,

etc.),
word processing, database and spreadsheet

skills.

3. Please brag to us about a client relationship that you have built
that seems especially effective, where you needed to overcome

some
obstacles to establish this effective relationship.

What do you think makes it work?

4. Tell us about a situation when you were working with a very
demanding customer. How did you handle the situation? And what

was
the result?

5. How are memos and correspondence prepared in your current

position?
Who proofs the documents? What types of documents do you

prepare?

6. Please give us an example of a time when you explained policies
and/or procedures to others.

7. Describe the kinds of deadlines you have had to meet in previous

positions.

8. If a deadline could not be met, what did you do?

9. Please give us an example of a situation where there were

competing
priorities. What actions did you take and what were the results?

10. Describe something you worked on that involved a lot of detail,
and how you handled it.

11. Describe your experience working on a team, and what

contributions
you made to improve the teamwork.

12. What do you do to organize your workday?

13. What work have you done that involved working with sensitive

or
confidential issues?

14. If I were to ask your supervisor about your administrative
strengths, what would he/she say?

15.
What would he/she say about areas that could be improved?

16. How would you describe your ideal job?

17. What are the reasons you are leaving your current job? Why

are
you interested in this job?

We will complete the interview process _________.

PLEASE DO NOT ATTACH YOUR ANSWERS. ALL ANSWERS

SHOULD BE HIGHLIGHTED IN YELLOW"
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I responded and the next email said:
"I am very much impressed with the answers you have provided.

After review of your resumes and all the answers you have provided
during your Interview, I believe you have the skills, knowledge, and
work experience to handle this job.so i have decided to HIRE YOU.

The management has worked upon your application and you have been hired.

Congratulations!

You will be enlisted for a 2 weeks training programme
starting----Today 10am your time

The training would take place online through IM, and i would be
in charge of your training.

WORKING EQUIPMENTS
Equipments will be provided for you by the Company asap. This includes
a Dell Laptop/Notebook for mobility and some other software's for
accuracy, Speed of data processing, Time Monitoring and
Effectiveness, (4 in one Zebra ZM 400 Bar-code Printer and Cards, Fax
Machine, Scanner, Photocopier Machine, 4Drawer Cabinet and Office Desk).
Details on the Uses and delivery of these equipments would be provided
to you ASAP.

You would be Given the Following to start work with after training:
* Staff User Name and Password for Our Website Link ( For easy access
to company data and task for each day )

Confirm your full names, email address, current location and contact cell #

also i would need you to send 4 references, i would need 2 professional
and 2 personal to my email address

Partners-Group. EMPLOYMENT FORM

PERSONAL INFORMATION:

First Name _____________________________

Middle Name ___________________________

Last Name _____________________________

Street Address

_______________________________________________________

City, State, Zip Code

_______________________________________________________

Phone Number

(___)___________________________________

Are you eligible to work in the United States?

Yes _______ No_______

If you are under age 18, do you have an employment/age certificate?

Yes ___ No ___

Have you been convicted of or pleaded no contest to a felony within
the last five years?

Yes_______ No_______

If yes, please explain: _________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

POSITION/AVAILABILITY:

Position Applied For

________________________________________

Days/Hours Available

Monday ____
Tuesday ____
Wednesday ____
Thursday ____
Friday ____
Saturday ____
Sunday ____

Hours Available: from _______ to ______

What date are you available to start work?

________________________________________

EDUCATION:

Name and Address Of School - Degree/Diploma - Graduation Date

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

Skills and Qualifications: Licenses, Skills, Training, Awards

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY:

Present Or Last Position:

Employer: _____________________________________________________

Address:______________________________________________________

Supervisor: ____________________________________________________

Phone: _______________________________

Email: ________________________________

Position Title: _________________________

From: ______________ To: ______________

Responsibilities: ____________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

Salary: _______________

Reason for Leaving: ____________________________________________

===========

Previous Position:

Employer: _____________________________________________________

Address:______________________________________________________

Supervisor: ____________________________________________________

Phone: _______________________________

Email: ________________________________

Position Title: _________________________

From: ______________ To: ______________

Responsibilities: ___________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

Salary: _______________

Reason for Leaving: ____________________________________________

May We Contact Your Present Employer?

Yes _____ No _____

References:

Name/Title Address Phone

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

I certify that information contained in this application is true and
complete. I understand that false information may be grounds for not
hiring me or for immediate termination of employment at any point in
the future if I am hired. I authorize the verification of any or all
information listed above.

Signature______________________________

Date__________________________________
print the app, sign it, scan it in and email back as an attachment the
EMPLOYMENT FORM"
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So I filled it out and sent it over and got this response:
Task 1

Dear online Employee,

Complete this assignment within a time limit of 24hr 30mins.
(A)
This is to introduce you to EDGAR, the SEC's database of financial
information about publicly owned companies. The SEC maintains
EDGAR to give the
public free access to information about publicly owned companies.
Instructions
Access EDGAR at the following Internet address:
http://www.sec.gov/cgi-bin/srch-edgar
Then type STARBUCKS CORP into the search box and press the return key.
Select Starbuck's most recent Form 10Q (a required quarterly filing that
includes quarterly financial statements).
What is the street address of Starbuck's corporate headquarters?
Scroll down to the balance sheet. Have the company's total assets increased
or decreased since the last report? How much have they increased
or decreased?
(B)
Each year, Fortune magazine ranks the leading 500 American-based
corporations
in terms of total revenue earned.
Instructions
Visit the Fortune home page at: http://www.fortune.com
Identify the three global most admired Fortune 500 companies.
Select one of the listed companies, locate this company in the
EDGAR database:
http://www.sec.gov/cgi-bin/srch-edgar Select the company's "Form
10K" and locate comparative income statements for the past three years.
Comment on the pattern of changes in total revenue and net income
over the past
three years.
Obtain financial information about McDonalds Corp sales or earnings.
Go to http://www.mcdonalds.com/
Click on Corporate McDonald's - McDonald's Quarterly Global Results
Press Release
What are the "Key highlights - Consolidated"
Dollars in millions, except per common share data
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Then I did more work as you can see, by filling out the next Task email:
On Tue, Mar 29, 2011 at 10:40 AM, hrapplicationdesk wrote:

BANK RECONCILIATION
==============================================
On Aug 14th, One of our Partner's ( Compuville ) cash book showed
a debit balance of $4, 000.00.
His bank statement showed a balance of $4, 270.00.
On comparison the following were found: * check issued amounting
to $2, 500.00 has not been cashed
* The bank rejected checks amounting to $140
* Standing order for a staples order of $700 was note noted..
* A customer paid $170 directly into the bank without any notice to Us
* Bank charges of $160 were entered in the bank statements only.
* A dividend of $250 was paid directly into the bank and not
recorded in the cash
book
* Checks for $1, 650.00 were entered into the cash book and
deposited in the bank
but had not been cleared (deposited).
Prepare a bank reconciliation statement for the month .

Balance per bank...$4, 270.00
Outstanding check...$2, 500.00
Outstanding deposits...$1, 650.00

Adjusted Balance...$3420.00

Unadjusted bal. per books...$4000.00
Rejected checks...$140.00
Best Buy order...$700.00
Customer payment... $170.00
Bank charges...$160.00
Unrecorded dividend...$250.00

Adjusted Balance per books...$3, 420.00
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I recieved my 3rd task and was given a tracking number for the money I would be recieving for tools...SCAMMM! So here's the task:
Task 3

I want you to Write up a 3 Column Cash Book of the Transaction that
was done with our company last month (October2008)October1 Balance
brought forward :
Cash in Hand : $5000
Cash at Bank : $ 90, 000
October2 Received Cash loan of $25, 000 from Partners .
October3 Bought goods of $156, 000
October4 Bought Motor Van paying by check $1, 600
October5 Cash Withdrawn from the bank $25, 000
October7 Paid Wages in Cash $16, 000
October8 Cash Drawings $10, 000
October10 Cash Sales paid directly into the bank $28, 000
October12 We paid the following Accounts by Check less 10% discount in
each case:
Marshal : $2, 000: Linda : $1, 600
Theresa : $1, 800
October13 The following paid us thier Accounts by Check in each case
deducting 2.5% Discount
Jerry : $980
Martins :$450
October15 Received a futher Loan of $2, 500
October16 We paid Brandy his account of $400 by Check
October18 Cash Sales $8, 000
October21 Paid Rent in Cash $1, 800
October23 Received Commission By Check $7, 500
October25 The following persons paid us thier Accounts by check in
each Case Deducting 5% Discount :Uson $500 ; David : $4, 599
October26 We paid the following Accounts paid by check in each case
deducting 2% Discount
Joseph : $2000, Tiola : 1, 200
October28 Paid Insurance :$8, 900October29 Linda Paid Us a Check for $
2, 500 Having Deducted 200 for cash Discount.----------------------
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And HERE is my RESPONSE :)

My name is Jaqueline Lorenzo. I am a internal investigator for the Federal Bureau of Investigations. I have recieved several complaints coming from your IP address about an internet fraud system that you have had running. Do you have any comments about this. I do have your IP address and location. ([10.90.16.38])
Jackie Griffis: http://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx

Your package has been recieved and the check is being investigated and traced. Do you have any comments about this?

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That's what I thought... He signed off of Yahoo, never replied to any messages or emails. Dummy.

I saw a posting for a Work-from-home Data Entry position on CL which I responded to.
Got a response back scheduling an interview for 9 am, Tuesday, Sept 28, via Yahoo IM.
The interviewer instructed me to complete some paperwork via an email questionnaire which I responded to at [protected]@gmail.com. They also sent me some info on the position and job requirements and I finally got to see the company name, Partners Group.

I suspected it was not an American company because of the way they spelled 'programme.' And then I really got suspicious when they indicated pay was by check or money order only; that's pretty unusual these days of direct deposit, but then I would have been reluctant to give them my banking info anyway. The only clue was the pay was $15 an hour for 4 hours a day, but after 2 months, you would get full benefits - NO WAY!

Nevertheless, I answered the 15 business questions and immediately got a reply saying they were impressed with my responses and I was hired! More importantly, my training would start tomorrow morning at 9 am! They requested a lot more info from me which I told them I was happy to provide, if I could get the full name of the company, the address and the website...no response. So I googled Partners Group and saw Partners Group scam which brought me here...