You have the same dream as thousands of others, to work in a country like Canada – to have a secure job and a visa along with that. This is the dream that many like Imelda “Mel” Fronda Saluma prey on. Recently Saluma was arrested in Toronto, Canada, for running a scam promising hundreds of unsuspecting individuals from Phillipines and other countries, a job and a work visa to Canada, ensuring them that this would lead them to permanent residence. The scam covered more than 600 Filipinos and ran in to more than $2 million. 

This is just one of the many such instances that actually came to light and the alleged perpetrator has been arrested and hopefully be brought to justice. Like her there are others in countries where the victim may be located, who claim to know someone who can offer you a job without an interview only for a small upfront price to start your process.

Modus Operandi

Step 1: You are asked to send your CV, qualification and work experience documents to make it look legitimate. Then obviously there is the small price to pay for arranging your contract and for those who still fall for it further, there would be additional charges to pay for arranging for the visa.

For the price you pay you do get something in return. What value it holds for you is a different matter all together.

Step 2: You will get a job offer or a letter of offer. This could be in your name individually or issued for a whole group. The logic they use for a group letter is that they are hiring in bulk and the companies find it easier to issue such letters to them.

Step 3: For those who pay the next installment, they get a contract on the official letterhead of the company with a signature of a fictitious head of some department in that organization. You might also get a scanned copy of your new employment ID as proof of things that are being arranged.

Step 4: Then you wait, wait and you wait a little longer. You call your contact and ask for an update. You are given an excuse that things are taking longer than usual. Then you call again, getting impatient and then it happens. Your phone calls are no longer answered, you don’t get any reply to your emails.

What to watch out for

1.     Contact is made through only a Gmail id. The company that says it sends millions of candidates successfully across the world on work visas, can surely invest in a domain name and work email.

2.     Always do at least a simple search on the company name or the individual name also by adding the word “scam” against it. At least the really obvious ones would come up in some search in some forum or have some complaint against it/ him/ her.

3.     Watch out for simple errors in the documentation. Most of these documents, whether it is the initial email, letter of offer, or your contract will probably have some spelling mistake or grammatical errors. For eg: Toronto may be spelt as “Toranto”. Things that on first glance you may not notice. Check the company logo, it may or may not look exactly like the one that you search for online.

4.     Who has signed your document and what is his job title there. A simple Google search on his/ her name may reveal that there is no such person by the name and the position is held by someone else.

All documents that you receive are made by experts in forging documents. They make a living on your hard earned money by only providing you with fake documents and hope.

If you would like to know more or would like to check if the offer you have received is genuine or not, feel free to write in to us at info@paperplanesconsulting.com with your details and we can have a confidential discussion. 

Some time back the Department of Immigration and Border Protection of Australia published on their website details of a known scam website www.work4australia.com. The website claimed to offer jobs in remote locations in Australia in the labour market, especially for fruit picking or farming. For approx USD 4700 the applicant would be promised an e-visa for 5 years. 

The website is no longer active now, however, there are many such scams today and most such companies don't have a website as well and may advertise through well known classified websites. 
Key pointers are: 
1. Only gmail address to make contact. They don't want to be tracked down for running a scam and so they will have only a gmail address which could change regularly. The person running the scam could be based in any country and may claim to be present in another country. 
2. Mobile numbers to make contact which suddenly changes. Many scamsters, will only provide a mobile number and that too on which incoming may be blocked or may get blocked after your initial contact. 
3. Job offer without interview or without and English language testing. Let's be honest, if you were running a company, would you hire someone without knowing or interviewing that person? Exactly! why would someone hire you without an interview or any kind of screening simply based on some money you have paid? NO company anywhere in the world offers a job without a formal interview face to face (at least through Skype)!
4. Multiple company names. Please do at least some basic internet search about the company/ individual that you may be dealing with and you may find on forums or websites that the company has changed multiple hands or has changed names a few times. People may be talking about the same company name or a similar name which has changed a few times. All these are signs that you should be careful of that company. 

Although the Australian Department of Immigration issues visas electronically over email, they are not e-visas and each visa category has a corresponding 3 digit visa subclass number (for e.g.: for short term employment up to 4 years the visa subclass will be 457). Most people offering jobs such as the ones mentioned above will not give you visa details as they themselves are not aware or they don't want you to look up the details. 

For all kind of work visas for Australia, your occupation has to be in demand in Australia and this information is available on the DIBP website: 
https://www.immi.gov.au/News/Pages/changes-csol-sol.aspx# 

Not only does your occupation have to be in demand, your employer in Australia has to justify to the government as to why they should hire you against someone who is a local, Australian permanent resident or Citizen. 

The only legitimate way to find a job in Australia is through an authorised placement consultant who specialises not only in recruitment for the country you are looking for but also in the field that you specialise in. 

If you have come across any such scam or would like any advice on this matter, feel free to contact us through the contact us page or drop in a comment here.