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What would you do if I told you that you could get rich fast, without putting in much effort? Likely your reaction would be the same as mine; a mixture of interest and excitement, tainted by a little bit of skepticism. Many advertisements for jobs on the internet are not what one is looking for when the term 'Job" comes to mind. Some of the 'jobs' that are offered are:

-data entry processing
-Multi level marketing
-paid to _(insert whatever you can think of ex: read emails, accept offers etc.)

While these sound like great opportunities, many almost always have some sort of start-up fee. This should act as a warning sign. If you were searching for a 'traditional' job, would your prospective employer demand payment from you upfront for training? No. Why should any legitimate online job be different?
As for multi level marketing, that seems like a pyramid scheme, and it is pretty much, but it is modified enough that it can pass as legal. You make money by convincing other people to join/give money.
Lastly, the data entry processing is pure bogus. Likely you have seen advertisements (and identical ones from different sources with different contact email addresses), saying that you can make anywhere from $200-$600 per week, and that you don't need any skills, just basic communication skills and a computer with internet connection and a valid email account. The letter (which is a form letter) looks professional enough, and it all looks promising, all they need is a training fee (this 'fee' is how much the advertiser wishes to be paid, it's usually between 10 and 20 dollars). What happens when you pay this fee, expecting the chance to make real money doing legitimate work? You are sent an email telling to you to recopy the original ad, but switching the name from the person who deceived you, to your on name, place it in many free advertising sites, and con others into believing that it is a legitimate job, just as you had been tricked yourself.
Another way people try to scam you out of your money, is by having you complete offers for money, or for gifts. Now, while it is possible to actually recieve these gifts, it is very difficult, and you must be meticulous with the detail. Also, most of these offers require that you be an American citizen, and also require that you order their FREE product (except for the $8.00 for shipping and $39.99 charge per month should you forget to cancel their service). Lastly, even if you do manage to succesfully complete an offer, there is nothing stopping either the company, or the gift agency from denying you your due credit/gift.

Please be careful when looking for jobs online. There are too many people willing to take advantage of the naivety, and good will of others. Protect yourselves, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. It doesn't mean you shouldn't check it out, but never ignore that part of you conscience that tells you that something isn't right, and most of all, don't pay somebody so that you could work for them. They should be paying you, after all you will be the one doing the work, so you should get the money. While there are legitimate opportunities (such as Helium), they are unfortunately too few and too far between.

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