‘Marriott’ Recruitment Scam Bared
By Bing Jabadan
LABOR Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz warned online jobseekers about a recurring employment scam using the name of a famous hotel company.
“We were informed that in addition to the previous modus operandi of these unscrupulous scammers, which include sending e-mails to unsuspecting job seekers, they are now prowling for victims in social media,” Baldoz said in a statement.
“I advise our jobseekers to be extra cautious, and apply only at recruitment agencies licensed by POEA (Philippine Overseas Employment Administration), and deal with licensed agencies with legal job orders,” she added.
POEA Administrator Hans Leo J. Cacdac said that the scammer posted on Facebook alleging that the management of Marriott Hotel Canada needs new workers.
The job openings allegedly included those for stewards, nurses, technicians, fashion designers, comedians and entertainers, and models. They were also recruiting actors, dancers, medical doctor,
artisans, mechanics, waiter, waitress and other hotel job category.
Cacdac said another scammer, in a new email doing the rounds, was offering jobs with Marriott Hotel in the United Kingdom.
Cacdac said scammers use legitimate company names, such as Marriott, “to make false offers of employment, but the telltale signs of it being a scam can be easily detected.”
He added that while job scammers use e-mail and social media to advertise fake job openings, big companies like Marriott Hotels have a dedicated job vacancy page “and do not use e-mail and Facebook to recruit employees.”
Scammers also request applicants to send their application, resume, and other documents to a fraudulent e-mail address, Cacdac said.
Marriott does not use free e-mail service providers such as yahoo.com, gmail.com, hotmail.com, live.com, he added.
He said the scammers ask victims to transfer money directly to a bank account or through a money remittance company as payment for processing and immigration and visa fees.
Legitimate companies do not require payment of fees in order to be considered for employment, Cacdac said.
(Source: HongKongNews.com.hk)