Related: Dubai authorities probe Dh50 million fraud of landlords and tenants
Dubai Police are investigating a recruitment scam after many vulnerable jobseekers were conned out of money.
Sixty people, who came to the UAE on visit visas, were looking for jobs and paid the scammer money. But when nothing happened after a month, they registered a complaint at the Al Muraqqabat Police Station last week.
“The victims were lured by an online advertisement offering fake job opportunities at a security company,” said Brig Ali Ghanem, director of Al Muraqqabat Police Station.
The advertisement said no qualifications or experience were required and applicants chosen for the job would have to go on training courses.
Applicants were promised Dh2,200 salaries for security guard jobs and Dh4,000 for a supervisory role.
The victims were asked to open files at the hiring agency's office in Deira. “Those who were applying for guard jobs were asked to pay Dh1,800 in fees and Dh3,000 if they were applying for supervisor jobs,” Brig Ghanem said.
After nearly a month, the jobseekers visited the office of the recruitment company but found it was closed.
“Investigations revealed that the company was opened few months before the incident happened and had not completed its licensing procedures,” Brig Ghanem said.
“When police investigators headed to the company as part of the investigations, they discovered the owner had fled the country three days before any report was filed against him.”
Several employees at the company were questioned but they were unaware of the plot.
The senior officer urged jobseekers to ensure that recruiting companies they approach are licensed. “Agencies charging fees for recruitment should alert jobseekers that something is not right,” he said.
Authorities in the UAE have repeatedly advised jobseekers to steer clear of recruiters who ask for cash or payment in personal bank accounts.
Consular officials and lawyers urged people to verify companies online before interviews.
They also urged jobseekers to ask questions, including about the company's trade licence.
In September 2020, Dubai Police arrested fake recruiters who exploited 150 people.
Safest places in the world: in pictures
-
No.10, MUSCAT, OMAN. Bikers drive down a street in the Omani capital Muscat, as part of the 50th National Day celebrations. AFP -
No.9, CLUJ-NAPOCA, ROMANIA. Sunrise over Cluj-Napoca in Romania. Cluj-Napoca has a very low rate of violent crime. Getty Images -
No. 8, MUNICH, GERMANY. One of Europe's wealthiest and safest cities, it benefits from low unemployment and high economic opportunity. Getty -
No. 7, DUBAI, UAE. Dubai is one of the safest large cities in the world. Personal safety is high, with assaults and petty crime extremely low in comparison to other cities. Reem Mohammed / The National -
No. 6, SHARJAH, UAE. The sun sets over Khalid Lake, with Sharjah city visible. The city has become a major cultural draw for tourists, boasting libraries, architecture and popular visitor attractions. Reem Mohammed / The National -
No. 5, ZURICH, SWITZERLAND. The snow-covered Grossmuenster church. The capital of German-speaking Switzerland is a major financial hub - and one of the world's most expensive cities. EPA -
No. 4, MONTREAL, CANADA. People enjoy the New Moon sound-and-light installation at the Quartier des Spectacles. The capital of French-speaking Quebec is consistently one of the world's most livable cities. AFP -
No.3, TAIPEI, TAIWAN. This high-tech city thrives, even as its culture and tradition is protected and celebrated. High personal safety and high employment make the city and the island one of the safest places you could ever visit. EPA -
No.2, DOHA, QATAR. As with many of the Gulf metropolises, petty or violent crime are extremely rare. EPA -
No.1, ABU DHABI, UAE. A chilly January morning on Abu Dhabi's Corniche. Ranked the world's safest city for a fifth year, violent or petty crime is virtually unheard of in the Emirati capital, and it scored highest for high personal safety and high employment. Victor Besa / The National
