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‘Hundreds’ of jobseekers victims of 'recruitment scam' | ‘Hundreds’ of jobseekers victims of 'recruitment scam' |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Hundreds of vulnerable jobseekers may have been conned out of money as part of a recruitment scam, a BBC investigation has uncovered. | Hundreds of vulnerable jobseekers may have been conned out of money as part of a recruitment scam, a BBC investigation has uncovered. |
A man using the name John Phillips is alleged to have offered non-existent jobs and charged applicants up to £480 in "accreditation fees". | A man using the name John Phillips is alleged to have offered non-existent jobs and charged applicants up to £480 in "accreditation fees". |
The BBC found many victims went on to unwittingly recruit further applicants. | The BBC found many victims went on to unwittingly recruit further applicants. |
Safer Jobs, an agency which fights fraud, said it was the "biggest scam of its kind". | Safer Jobs, an agency which fights fraud, said it was the "biggest scam of its kind". |
"It's exploitation of vulnerable job seekers," said Keith Rosser from the agency, which was set up with the help of the Metropolitan Police in 2008. | "It's exploitation of vulnerable job seekers," said Keith Rosser from the agency, which was set up with the help of the Metropolitan Police in 2008. |
"The fact they'd have to be asked to pay money is terrible in its own right. The fact the job doesn't exist is even worse." | "The fact they'd have to be asked to pay money is terrible in its own right. The fact the job doesn't exist is even worse." |
Mr Rosser added it was "the biggest scam we have seen of this kind, where unsuspecting jobseekers are used to perpetuate this fraud further." | Mr Rosser added it was "the biggest scam we have seen of this kind, where unsuspecting jobseekers are used to perpetuate this fraud further." |
The BBC's Inside Out London programme found Mr Phillips - who is believed to have used a number of names - created at least 10 bogus companies which had realistic-looking websites to orchestrate the scam. | The BBC's Inside Out London programme found Mr Phillips - who is believed to have used a number of names - created at least 10 bogus companies which had realistic-looking websites to orchestrate the scam. |
Many of the victims described how they were offered positions as human resources assistants at various "companies" after being interviewed in cafes or hotels. | Many of the victims described how they were offered positions as human resources assistants at various "companies" after being interviewed in cafes or hotels. |
They were told they had to pay the "accreditation fee" before they could start work and the money would be reimbursed in their salaries. | They were told they had to pay the "accreditation fee" before they could start work and the money would be reimbursed in their salaries. |
Some were never given employment start dates, while others worked for months without ever being paid. | Some were never given employment start dates, while others worked for months without ever being paid. |
Some of those who did start work helped recruit other alleged victims. | Some of those who did start work helped recruit other alleged victims. |
Scores of reports | Scores of reports |
Mr Phillips is alleged to have been carrying out the scam since at least 2012. | Mr Phillips is alleged to have been carrying out the scam since at least 2012. |
The BBC believes there may be hundreds of victims, with scores of reports on the Scamradar website and online message boards devoted to trying to catch him. | The BBC believes there may be hundreds of victims, with scores of reports on the Scamradar website and online message boards devoted to trying to catch him. |
One victim, Lucille, said she worked for Mr Phillips for two months, taking about £2,000 in payments from other applicants. | |
As well as losing out on potential earnings, she was asked to pay for renting office space and for business cards. She said she was not reimbursed. | As well as losing out on potential earnings, she was asked to pay for renting office space and for business cards. She said she was not reimbursed. |
Atiya Ahmed resigned from another job to work for Mr Phillips. | Atiya Ahmed resigned from another job to work for Mr Phillips. |
"I'm very sad and disappointed in myself for falling for something like this, but when you're desperate for a job you have no choice but to believe what someone promised," she said. | "I'm very sad and disappointed in myself for falling for something like this, but when you're desperate for a job you have no choice but to believe what someone promised," she said. |
When confronted by the BBC, Mr Phillips said he had no knowledge of the claims and refused to comment further. | When confronted by the BBC, Mr Phillips said he had no knowledge of the claims and refused to comment further. |
The Met Police said it was not aware of any investigation being carried out into the dealings of Mr Phillips. | The Met Police said it was not aware of any investigation being carried out into the dealings of Mr Phillips. |
Watch the full report on BBC Inside Out London on Friday 21 October at 19:30 on BBC One. | Watch the full report on BBC Inside Out London on Friday 21 October at 19:30 on BBC One. |
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