Be wary of people soliciting funds in return for job opportunities overseas

A group of scammers, which includes men and women, are going around to villages and communities making false promises of secured jobs overseas.

Scammers are getting more and more daring and sophisticated.

Many are resorting to online and mobile phone scams and email phishing to name a few.

But right under our noses, a group of con artists continues to visit villages and communities taking money in return for the promise of jobs overseas. The group, which includes men and women, is doing it by word of mouth. They are fearless despite the fact that one of their senior members was convicted of recruiting workers without authorisation last year.

She was convicted under Section 37 (4) and (5) of the Employment Relations Act 2007.

The group’s overseas employment promise is preposterous.

But sadly, some gullible Fijians are led to believe their proposal and immediately sign up.

Some of them end up taking a loan from their village association and family to pay for their registration fee which ranges from $38 to $55.

Here are a few of the outrageous proposals these con artists are taking around the country:

The move overseas will take place sooner rather than later;

Pay $38 – $55 for registration, fill in a two-page form;

For those who don’t have a passport, the ‘company’ will get it for you;

A Fiji Airways charter flight has been booked to take successful candidates to the US;

Employment opportunities include security, care giving and farm work. The recruits will be employed under a 10-year contract in the US, Hawaii and Dubai; and

Name dropping. At a meeting held at the Kubuna village hall for Kubuna and Lomawai villages, one of the women recruiters said Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama was supportive of the recruitment initiative.

Watch out for these traits and trends.

If you’re unsure, seek assistance from your local authority to verify the authenticity of such groups before committing finance to them.

Given our rural and traditional setting, asking questions is often seen as rude, disrespectful and unFijian. This is something con artists take advantage of when they try to lure people.

They also capitalise on our good nature. For those who are uneducated, they may see this overseas employment promise as a means to escape life in the village.

But it’s time people wake up.

Mr Bainimarama is right – the con artists should be arrested.

According to the Ministry for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations, people who wish to work overseas should go through a registered employment agency under it.

Any company not registered under the ministry but conducting overseas job recruitments is doing it illegally

Be wary of con artists.

Report the matter to Police if you’ve been conned or hear of such false promises.