UK JOBS AND LOTTERY FRAUDS (January 2009)
If the offer sounds too good to be true…beware. It could be a scam.
A number of people have reported to us that they are being cheated with job offers and lotteries that do not exist. Stop and think before you part with your money, your passport, your personal details or your current job.
Many scams may appear to come from the UK, but the criminals behind the scam are actually based in other countries.
It is likely to be a scam if:
· You receive an offer of a job about which you have no prior knowledge
· You receive an offer by email
· You are asked for your bank account details by email or phone
· You are offered cash in exchange for bank account details
· You are told you have won a lottery, but you have not bought a ticket.
If you receive a scam email:
· Do not pay any money
· Do not have any further contact with the originators of the email - these people are professional criminals and their aim is to exploit you and take your money and/or your personal details.
If you have been cheated because of a job or lottery scam:
· Report it to the local police authorities.
This is an international crime - investigations must be taken forward by the local police, CID and Interpol. The British Embassy has no jurisdiction to investigate or take out criminal prosecutions.
How to find out if a UK company is genuine:
Some job scams can be very clever. Check the company's details very carefully.
Genuine UK company websites may be provided, but the contact email addresses may be false. A genuine company name may be given, but the address will be wrong. For example: genuine website - http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/. False contact details - ukvisas@hotmail.co.uk
· Genuine UK companies are officially registered and can be checked by logging on to http://www.companieshouse.gov.uk/
· Phone the company in the UK if you are approached about a UK job
· Genuine UK companies do not give a mobile number for contact details. Request a landline number
· UK company addresses can be checked by logging on to: http://www.upmystreet.com.uk/
· Most genuine UK companies do not use a hotmail or yahoo type email account.
Job offers from the UK Government:
· The UK Government, including UK Trade and Investment, does not send unsolicited emails with job offers - either direct or through agents. Government vacancies are advertised on official websites in the UK: http://www.careers-civilservice.gov.uk/ .
· Some job scams falsely use the names and job titles of genuine Embassy staff. A genuine email from an official member of staff will always be sent from our official email address - @fco.gov.uk. It will never be sent from a hotmail or yahoo type email account.
Research UK jobs and terms and conditions of employment:
Think about:
· The credibility of the job offer you have received.
Are the salary and benefits offered realistic? For example, for jobs in the hospitality sector, a monthly salary of £4,000 plus benefits of free car, free health insurance, free accommodation, free flights for you and your family, plus generous leave entitlements etc are simply not credible.
· The recruitment procedure.
Genuine UK companies normally have a rigorous recruitment procedure, including a face-to-face interview. They would not usually offer a job by email;
· How you were contacted by the UK company.
For example, if you met an employee in an internet chat room who then made you a job offer, this is very likely to be a scam.
Visa fees:
· Current visa fees are published on our Visa Application Centre website (please insert)
· Visa application forms are free of charge. Information and guidance on application procedures are published on (insert VAC website), http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/ and http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/
· British Embassy staff do not ask you for payment of fees directly. Visa fees are paid at VFS visa application centres where all applications are made. There are no "additional visa fees"
· The UK Government does not provide or charge for "additional services" such as travel insurance, health screening checks, police checks, security checks etc.
Lottery scams:
· All genuine UK lotteries are registered and have websites
· If you did not buy a ticket, you cannot win a lottery
· UK lotteries do not email winners or refer to amounts won
· Further advice on lottery-related frauds is available from the Gambling Commission: log on to http://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/.
source.:http://ukinuae.fco.gov.uk/en/visas/
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