CIAI creative image associates is a SCAM

CREATIVE IMAGE ASSOCIATES IS A SCAM!!

June 30, 2012
From: Frank Rowe

Email: srowe1965@aol.com


To Whom it May Concern:

I have been the victim of a fraud based on sending money via Western Union overseas, in this case to Turkey. Background: I recently retired from the hotel business and moved to Florida. Finding myself with too much time on my hands and not enough money I searched the internet for home based jobs.
After a week of just researching I received an email from a company, Creative Image Associates, offering me a position as a “mystery shopper”. The request for information on myself and the descriptions of responsibilities seemed routine. I had done mystery shopping previously for companies regarding retail sales, fraudulent goods and restaurants. I googled the company and found no adverse comments and several positive comments from alleged employees indicating they “shopped” banks for the company. Their web site remains creativeimage.net.

After completing the requested information I received a packet in the mail which included a check for $2850.00 and instructions to complete two assignments; 1) shop the nearest Walmart Store, spend $100 on personal goods and report on the transactions. 2) send $2400 to a Mr. Jeremiah Kobodokuni in Istanbul, Turkey. The first Western Union office declined to do so saying if I didn’t know the individual it was probably a scam. I however was instructed to attempt a second submission which I did successfully at a Sweetbay Western Union office.

Yesterday I noted my bank account had been reduced by the amount of the original check, $2850. The check was obviously bogus and someone has received $2400 of my money in Istanbul, Turkey. At the same time I received another fed ex’d check for $2650; it appears legit but apparently it is not. It states it’s a “CASHIERS CHECK” drawn against WELLS FARGO BANK, NA, 3231 I-70 Business Loop, Clifton, CO 81520. The numbers on the bottom of the check are 0487128904 120002484861 505758.
The return address on the fed ex label is Doretta Dotson, ExamOne, 309 Mooty Bridge Rd, LaGrange, GA 30240. The tracking number is 7937 3543 5289.

I have saved all email correspondence. My main contact has been a Charles Phllips (charles.phillip@aim.com), Creative Image Associates, Inc (CAIA), Office Address: 2801 Capitol Ave, Sacramento, CA 95816. I have also copied a Kerla Frucht at kerla.frucht@mail.com.

I’ve lost $2850.00 thru the bouncing of the bad cashiers check thru my bank. I take responsibility for my errors. I’m an ex cop and should have waited for the original check to clear. Regardless, my goal of the moment is to stop these people from scamming others. I’m unsure whether this is a garden variety scam, a money laundering scheme or funding for a anti American organization.

After receiving the second set of instructions yesterday and the check in the fed ex envelope I emailed my contact and stated I was in Ft Myers for the weekend and would get around to the transaction when I returned Tuesday. I’m hopeful I have bought some time for your organization to do some diligence. Best of luck to us all.

Frank Rowe




-----Original Message-----
From: Charles Phillip <charles.phillip@aim.com>
To: srowe1965 <srowe1965@aol.com>
Sent: Fri, Jun 15, 2012 2:21 pm
Subject: Esteemed Mystery Shopper
Attn: Esteemed Mystery Shopper,

My Name is Mr Charles Phillip and I am your Creative Image Associates Inc Instructor within the USA. Henceforth you will be working with me on the completion of your Mystery Shopper's Position application.

We have received your Information (Mailing address,contact telephone Number,Nationality) your Information as submitted to us have been forwarded to our head office for assessment and approval, once approved I will notify you and provide you with funds for your first assignment which I will also provide you with details of sometime next week.

Like you already know, your weekly wage is $200:00 Flat for working with us.

PAYMENT TERMS:

Your payment would be sent per assignment($200) you might be making over $600 a week depends how fast are you to complete your assignments.Also the company is in charge of providing you with all expense money for the shopping and other expenses incurred during the course of your assignment.All the tools you will needing would be provided to you with details every week you have an assignment.

JOB DESCRIPTION :

1} When an assignment is given to you,You would be provided with details to execute the assignment and in a timely fashion.

2} You would be asked to visit a company or store in your area and they are mostly our competitors as a secret shopper and shop with them to know more about their sales and stock , cost sales and more details as provided by the company then report back to us with details of whatever transpired at the store. But anything you buy at the shop belongs to you,all we want is an effective/quick job and reports.

ASSIGNMENT PACKET :

Before any assignment we would provide you with the resources needed {cash}Mostly our company would send you a check which you can cash and use for the assignment. Included to the check would be your assignment packet .Then we would be providing you details on here. But you follow every single information given to you as a secret shopper .

You can earn more which involves nothing more than shopping at a number of selected retailers and assessing their customer service and reporting back . So i want you to get back to me with confirmation of your interest and commitment in working with us ,Mostly we need your phone number for contact purposes which is most Important.- should you need to speak to someone from my company from within the USA I can be reached at any time during working hours on Phone: (949)-630-2907 if I'm unable to speak to you,leave me a message and I will return your call at my earliest convenience.

KINDLY RECONFIRM YOUR INFORMATION BELOW IS CORRECT FOR ASSESSMENT

Full Legal Name :
Address :
City :
State :
Zip code :
Age:
Home and Cell # :

I will await your prompt response.
Best Wishes and Regards .

Contact Person: Charles Phillip
Time: 24 Hours daily by e-mail
Processing Job-Unit.
Secret Shopper®

Charles Phillip
charles.phillip@aim.com


-----Original Message-----
From: srowe1965 <srowe1965@aol.com>
To: charles.phillip <charles.phillip@aim.com>
Sent: Tue, Jun 12, 2012 7:19 am
Subject: Re: Employment opportunity Available Now
please see below

-----Original Message-----
From: Creative Image Associates Inc <Charles@waddell.com>
To: Recipients <Charles@waddell.com>
Sent: Tue, Jun 12, 2012 2:30 am
Subject: Employment opportunity Available Now
Hello

Creative Image Associates Inc is presently recruiting SECRET EVALUATORS in all states of
the USA.

JOB DESCRIPTION & RESPONSIBILITIES: You will be hired to conduct an all expenses
paid surveys and evaluation exercises on behalf of RETAIL SURVEY CONCEPT?. Your
job will be to evaluate and measure quality of retail service or gather specific
information about products and services. As our mystery shopper posing as normal
customers, you will expected to perform specific tasks?such as purchasing a
product or using a service.

COMMISSION: $200 Per Assignment (2 Assignments weekly)

Interested Candidates should simply fill the form below to make an Official
Application:

Full Names
Cell / Mobile Phone Number:
Sex: Male
Current Occupation: Unemployed, retired
Have you had any work of this nature before:
Email Address: srowe1965@aol.com


Thanks,
charles phillip
Evaluation Manager.
email:charles.phillip@aim.com

©1994-2012 Creative Image Associates Inc? Corporate Headquarters
603 Mass Ave.
Lunenburg, MA 01462 USA

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I am assuming you contacted you local law authorties. The chance of getting it back is pretty law. It will cost more to get the money you sent then to just right it up as lesson 101.
Frank, while I'm certainly sorry that you were the victim of a scam, it is not fair to keep saying this company is not legitimate. I looked up some threads for Creative Image Associates and they are a legitimate company. It often happens that the con artists use the name of a real company to add credence to their ripoff. Please understand, this means the real shopping company is also a victim and you should not contribute to that by accusing them of wrongdoing.

You have also posted the same thing on 4 different threads in the last 10 hours.

Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
Creative Image Associates is NOT a scam, rather scammers are using the name of Creative Image Associates to lend credibility to their scheme. If you would like to register with the REAL Creative Image Associates, you must do that at their website at [creativeimage.net]. Do not in your wildest dreams expect to see fees of $200 on any mystery shops before you have established a long and solid reputation. And recognize that nobody would send you real checks to go do shops.

I'm sorry that you got scammed, but you probably should have investigated mystery shopping before you deposited the phoney checks rather than now that you have been burned.

There is a very legitimate business of mystery shopping out there and this forum offers you help in getting started as well as a list of legitimate companies and their websites to register.

As a precaution, I would encourage you to use the blue 'Edit' button in the lower right hand corner of your post to revisit your post and remove your email address and other personally identifying information so that you aren't exposed to future scams based on having left your contact information out there on the internet.
The company is legit .... the scammers using their name are not. The letter you have posted is an obvious scam. Sorry you were taken by it. If it sounds too good to be true, it is. I hope others will keep that in mind and take a reality check before jumping at what seems like big money.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/08/2012 05:10PM by AustinMom.
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