Cash-for-jobs scam targets Dubai jobseekers

Published Tuesday, May 28, 2013

By Sneha May Francis

Just over three months after we reported about a notorious job scam in Dubai, we have learnt that the scamsters are still on the prowl, targeting vulnerable candidates. Read: Pay to work: UAE jobs scam rears up again

Their modus operandi of the new scam seems to be the same – place adverts in leading newspapers and once a candidate bites the bait, call them over to an office for interview, them a job – for a price.

Although this isn’t a new phenomenon, and has been reported about in the past, such scamsters often target desperate and vulnerable candidates who are either new to the city or whose visas are nearing expiration.

The UAE Labour Law is crystal clear on this matter and bans agencies from charging candidates for job applications or employment.

Audrey, a Zimbabwean national who has been working in Dubai for almost two years, tipped us about a job scam after her sister approached a company for a job.

Operating from an apartment on the second floor of a building near the Abu Baker Metro Station, the group reportedly invites jobseekers for a meeting and convinces them that they can land a job after paying a sum of Dh300.

Audrey felt something was amiss.

“When she [her sister] called the number listed on the advertisement, a lady answered and told her to head to their office immediately as they have a job for her,” she narrated.

“She didn’t ask for her educational qualification or any other detail, except her nationality.

“I called them again to check if they were bona fide, and they told me they were not a recruitment agency and that they were part of a local firm that was hiring for their own company.”

Although Audrey was sceptical about the situation, her sister decided to visit their office.

Once there, she was shocked to see a crowd of men, mostly of Asian or African origin. “There was no computer, and the ‘agents’ were using basic Nokia phone.

“Once she was taken inside, they asked her to make a payment of Dh300 to ‘open a file’.”

This alerted her sister, who checked with Audrey if she should make the payment.

When Audrey called them again and quizzed them, they gave the same reason about “opening a file, and tried to convince me that she will get a good job.”

Her sister promptly left the place without making any payment.

The area, she later explained, was filled with (mostly) men. “Some had their visas expiring soon, and the lady was promising them a job worth Dh6,000 if they paid Dh300.

“It is heart-breaking how they are targeting people who are so vulnerable and desperate.”

When Emirates 24|7 called the company, posing as a candidate, a female agent answered and hurriedly gave their address.

“Come to Abu Baker station and call me for directions,” she said, after making us wait for few minutes while she appeared to be talking on multiple lines, giving directions each time.

The lady wasn’t willing to give us any details about the company, but told us they were conducting interviews at the moment and we should head to their office immediately.

“You need to pay Dh500 for processing,” she rambled.

The UAE Labour Law states that no jobseeker must be charged a recruitment fee. A call centre agent at the Ministry of Labour confirmed the same. “It is illegal,” he said, adding, “It is clearly listed under the ministerial order 52, 1989 edition, Article 6.”

All reputed agencies that this website spoke with confirmed that they don’t charge their candidates any fees.

Another call was made to the same office, this time clearly stating that we were reporting about their activities.

The call was quickly handed over to their manager Hussain, who insisted that they were a genuine company.

“We are a human resources consultancy. Once a candidate pays Dh500, within 10 days we try and source them a job. There is no guarantee.”

When asked if he can share a list of the companies, the manager initially resisted but finally divulged three names - Supertouch Trading Company, Brokar station, and Volga Technical Service LLC.

He, however, claimed ignorance of the UAE law that disallows him to charge jobseekers. “There is a law for charging,” he insisted, before justifying, “No one is forcing anyone to pay. If the people are willing, they can pay.”

When Emirates 24|7 cross-checked with one of the companies he had listed out, our doubts were cleared. “We have not hired the services of any company for our recruitment,” informed the manager at Volga Technical Services LLC in Al Quoz.

“We are a small company and deal with recruitment on our own.”

When we told him about the reason of our inquiry, he recalled being approached by a company, whose name he couldn’t remember, offering their help to source candidates for a vacancy his company had advertised in the newspapers.

“It was three weeks ago. And, when I told them I can’t pay them, they claimed they will do it for free. I also told them the selection will be made by us and this doesn’t guarantee them a place. I haven’t heard from them since,” he added.

“It is a scam. No doubt.”

(Home page image courtesy Shutterstock)

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