They wanted delivery driver jobs in Las Vegas. They got scammed instead
Hundreds of people showed up at a business near Sunset Park seeking delivery driver jobs advertised online this month. On Thursday, police announced they were investigating after many of the applicants, who had provided personal information and paid $200 each in application fees, said they had been scammed.
“The investigation is still in its infancy,” said Metropolitan Police Department Lt. Erik Perkett in a news conference Thursday afternoon. “Officers went out to the business and noticed there was a large gathering of individuals who were clearly upset over being victims of a fraud that occurred inside the business.”
Metro officers responded to a business complex in the 3100 block of East Sunset Road just before 8:30 a.m. Thursday, Perkett said, referring to the situation as a “financially motivated crime.”
The lieutenant said that in the preliminary investigation, detectives had learned that, on Jan. 21, an online ad offered jobs as “third-party delivery drivers for Amazon.” Prospective candidates were invited to apply in person at the business, Perkett said.
When they arrived, Perkett said, they had to fill out an application and pay a $200 application fee in cash, or by credit card or check. Applicants were then given a future interview date to return to the business. He said that when some came back on Thursday, they found the unit empty.
‘Not affiliated with Amazon’
Perkett said that as of Thursday afternoon, officers were unsure how long the business had been there and how many people had been scammed.
“We do know that this business is not affiliated with Amazon,” Perkett said, standing a couple hundred feet from the complex. Behind him, unit H at 3110 East Sunset was cordoned off by yellow police tape. Above the door, a large plastic banner reading “Welcome to the fabulous Las Vegas K-9 Kingdom: 24/7 dog daycare” was displayed.
As Perkett spoke, dozens of people came and left the scene, holding white sheets of paper and reporting that they, too, had been defrauded.
Ari Hernandez said her mother was among those who said they were victimized.
Hernandez said Thursday more than 300 people were lined up outside Las Vegas K-9 Kingdom when she helped her mom apply for a delivery driver job there on Saturday. Before they left, Hernandez said, they received a QR code and appointment time for what they thought was a routine employment drug test at a local medical facility. She said they paid $200 for the test.
“We thought it was weird because it says dog care,” Hernandez said. “We didn’t understand the connection to Amazon, but they kept telling us they were independent contractors.”
‘I feel like they took advantage’
When Hernandez’s mother showed up for her appointment, a nurse told her the test could not be completed because “no employer information” was available for the business, Hernandez said.
“I feel like they took advantage of people who don’t speak English,” said Hernandez. “A lot of people who applied are Cuban. It’s not about the money because we paid with a card and can dispute it with our bank. We are worried about what they will do with all the personal information — IDs, socials, and green cards.”
“It sucks because many people are just trying to get an opportunity to improve their lives. And they get scammed,” Hernandez said.
Matt Moore, a pastor at East Valley Bible Church, next door to K-9 Kingdom, said a husband and wife started renting the unit about six months ago.
“We were friendly with them,” Moore said. “We never saw anything out of the ordinary. They had kennels and everything you would need for boarding. Some of my friends used their services.”
Attempts to reach K-9 Kingdom were unsuccessful.
Contact Akiya Dillon at adillon@reviewjournal.com.