Scam warning
Here's a well-used teacher scam that's doing the rounds.
posted on 2nd December 2009
I just wanted to warn everybody that there is a new teaching scam going around, in fact this is the FOURTH variation I have seen of the e-mail reproduced below. The scam always follows the same pattern - a wife who can't speak English, a job offer and a very attractive UK salary. I have no doubt that further down the line anyone interested in this 'position' will have to fork out cash to process paperwork or some similar bullshit.
As a footnote, although the e-mail states that the resume was taken from the ajarn database, I very much doubt it. The ajarn resume database is pay-per-view and scammers are rarely/never willing to pay for contact names and e-mails. Why should they when there are plenty of databases where access to teacher resumes is free?
Anyway, here's the e-mail.
Dear Teacher,
My name is _________________. I am from Germany working currently with (usually an impressive corporate address is inserted here)
I need a professional ESL teacher like you to come and teach my beloved Wife English.
I and my wife wedded last April 2009 and she joined me here in Scotland last May 2009 to start living with me.
She is inability to understand English language to communicate with the people here in the UK that is why I urgently need your attention here to start teaching her English to enable her start communicating with the people here in the UK..
I saw your CV at http://www.teflasia.com and like it that is why I have contacted you.
Requirements for the position includes:
1. Any Certificate obtained as an Applicant with English teaching experience (Bachelors Degree and above).
2. Your recent photo.
3. Your phone number with your country code for proper conversation.
4. Once again your updated CV.
Salary: Monthly salary of GBP3,850.00 will be paid to you on the 20th day of every month and relocation package fee of GBP1,500.00 at the beginning of the contract, including monthly health insurance fee of GBP360.00 and vacation fee of GBP1,700.00 for any upcoming vacation.
As a qualified applicant, I want you to do contact me at once with requirements mentioned above for evaluation through my personal email address at (e-mail address is inserted here) so that we can proceed with the contract.
Tags: teacher problems teacher recruitment finding a job teacher scams
Comments
* here’s a sample contract from the scammers:(.
Dr. Mingli Chang
Chief Medical Director, Continental Coporation
# 11 Halesfield, Telford,Shropshire, England.
TF7 4QT. +44 (0) 7023090666.
Date: November 13 2009.
Dear _______________,
JOB OFFER
With reference to your application for employment in pursuant to the service contract, we
Hereby notify you that your qualification was found suitable for the requirements of
Dr. Mingli Chang Family after evaluation of details as contained in your CV.
Hereinafter, you shall be required to serve as Professional English as a Second Language Teacher for the family of Dr.Mingli Chang.
Fulfillments and requirements of Dr. Mingli Chang Family for a contract period of 1 year. There are possibilities of extension however that is after a performance review of your previous performance with the Dr. Mingli Chang Family.
Should you accept this job offer, you’ll be eligible to receive the following beginning on
December 7 2009, which is your hire date.
Salary: Monthly gross starting salary of £2,800 GBP (Two Thousand Eight Hundred Great Britain Pounds) paid by your choice of check or direct deposit into a local or foreign account you would designate.
—- GBP £300 for Health Insurance
—- Free accommodations, private room, and sitting room and sit out. Internet ready computer and vehicle for mobility.
—- 2 weeks paid vacation twice a year.
—- Travel expenses have to be shouldered by the employeee and the employer has to shoulder any other cost that arises.
ALLOWANCES/ ENTITLEMENTS
—-Hazard/Inconveniences : £40.00 (Monthly)
—-Car Maintenance: £89.00 (Monthly)
—-House & Furnishings: £80.00 (Yearly)
—-Entertainment & Recreation: £75.00 (Monthly)
—-Travel & Events: £50.00 (Monthly)
PAID LEAVE PERIOD
Employee is entitled to 1 month paid leave which can be taken once at a time or 2 weeks apart one different period.
Employee will receive £150.00 Take home for each leave Period.
WORKING HOURS/ DAYS OFF/ PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
Working hours - 6 hours (including meal time)
Working time - 10:00 Hours – 16:00 Hours
Working days - Monday – Friday.
UK WORK PERMIT/ENTRY VISA
Please Proceed to Contact Agent Diana Simons of the UK Border Agency. Home Office ,UK Border Agency, PO Box 3468,Sheffield,S3 8WA,United Kingdom,
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have hereunto set their hands and seals as
of the day and year first written.
Signed in the Presence of:
Agent Diana Simons
Sincerely,
______________________
Dr. Mingli Chang
EMPLOYER EMPLOYEE
I arrived here last May to have a vacation. But as i see it, I found this place nice to live with cheap cost of living. I am a graduate of two courses and thru my friends’ suggestions, I surf the net for a teaching job. I posted my resume at jobsdb.com. After 2 weeks, I got the same email from this German guy. Since i was new, had no knowledge of these scams, I replied to him and eventually he replied back. I went to the extent of seeing a lawyer to know the necessary papers i will need for the travel. Sometimes it pays to be doubtful. When i sent photo copies of my requirements to the travel agency of his lawyer, they advised me to send 236 pounds for the processing fee, as it is the ruling, that it should be shouldered by the applicant. But I was smart enough to write back to this German guy to pay for me first then just deduct from my first salary. From then on, i got no more feed back from him. So guys be careful.
I just graduated from my TEFL Course and I got a similar offer. A greek expat living in the UK wanted me to teach his wife and his two kids english. He offered a huge salary and acccoomodation. He didnt answer my question where he had my email from so I forgot about it. Now there’s a confirmation that it was obviously a scam
Comment on this Article
Most recently answered question:
I used a letter of employment to get a visa and now I don’t want the job. Can I use the visa?
Terms of Use I Advertising I Contact Us
I’ve had many similar approaches, usually made by some Nigerian Jokers. More often than not, I’ve discovered, they obtain one’s details from places like Job/Job,etc. I don’t think I’ve ever been made aware that the Ajarn site has been ‘raided’. As I see it, If an employer requires a ‘processing fee’ they can’t afford you!
By Chris.P, Khon Kaen on 2010-01-30