Jobseekers conned by fake agents, then bullied

Fake recruitment agents continue to take potential jobseekers in the UAE for a ride by offering lucrative but bogus jobs, and taking money in various forms like service charges, visa processing fees and consultancy services.

Now, Emirates 24/7 has learnt that the agents are using bouncers to silence victims who try to challenge the racket after having lost money, time, and their peace of mind.

Sources told this website that the fake recruitment racket that apparently flourished in the Sharjah corniche for several months has now spread to neighbouring Ajman, and jobseekers conned by the fake agents are being bullied by bouncers to keep matters under wrap.

According to one such jobseeker that this journalist met, fraudulent agents get unsuspecting jobseekers to sign declarations stating that the money they collect for the sundry charges is non-refundable.

“These gangs are mostly targeting potential jobseekers on visit visas,” says the jobseeker who was scared away from a recruitment office in Ajman when she tried to claim back the money that she gave as a deposit.

She claims that there are similar offices functioning in Dubai and Sharjah. Based on earlier police complaints, some of the offices were shut down, but now either they have reopened, or new offices have sprung up.

Says the husband of the applicant: “My wife had been looking for a job and found a classified advertisement in a leading English newspaper in the last week of September, and after applying for the job, we went to the recruitment office located near the Honda showroom, opposite Verona Resort, Ajman. Three ladies were interviewing many applicants there.”

“My wife was interviewed for the position of a receptionist in a Dubai Airport Free Zone company and was told that she got selected for the job with a salary of Dh4,000 plus free transport and housing allowance of Dh2,000.

“She was asked to pay Dh200 as a deposit, which we did. After two days, they called again and asked for another Dh200 to take the candidate to her future office.” Suspecting foul play, the couple searched the Internet and found some blogs that were full of complaints against such fraud.

According to shop owners in the area, the recruitment company started operations recently and several candidates – most Asians – turn up there for interviews and pay between Dh200 and Dh500 for such services. Many people return with complaints, they say. “When people ask for refund, the office staff take them to a room where bouncers are waiting for them. Fearing physical harm, the victims either remain quite or simply go away.”

According to some other jobseekers, the agents use several mobile numbers to contact candidates. Two candidates said they came from Fujiarah and Ras Al Khaimah to apply for the job and lost money and time.

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