If you’ve been involved in a serious job search for any length of time, you’ve probably come across what I call “Scam Hunters”. These are companies that masquerade as recruiting firms and, once they contact you (and suck you in), try to sell you on a program where they claim they will “represent” you in your job search. The typical fee is $5,000 or so, but if they can get more $ out of you they will. If you do a search on these companies for complaints, you will find that most have numerous complaints and claims against them (this is certainly true for the four that have contacted me).
So my point today is this, a true recruiter (headhunter, executive search firm, etc.) will not charge you for their services. They are paid (either by retainer or contingency) by the hiring company. Many people decide to pay for services during their job search (resume writing, interview coaching, resume blasting, etc.) and this is money well spent if you need the help. But don’t be sucked in by these slick salespeople who will sell you something you don’t need and will probably never deliver. Do some research on these companies and you will see what I mean.
Now on to the real stuff.
- Leathwaite International – Leathwaite is an executive search firm that covers a broad range of professions (corporate services, finance, HR, Internal Audit, etc.), sectors (Asset Management, Investment Banking, etc.) and countries. Their website is a little strange, but click on Contact Us to get their address and telephone number.
- Abacus Group – The Abacus Group is a professional recruiting firm. Their main page has several tabs across the top (About Us, Candidates, Current Positions, etc.). You can take a look at their current positions, search by temporary/permanent and submit a resume. Their seach results page allows sorting by each column. The candidates page provides detail on the services provided, a link to their current positions and a list of the industries they cover.
- BAMM Inc. – BAMM is a professional staffing company that focuses on the Information Technology, Engineering, Financial, and Medical Fields. Clicking on the “Careers” tab takes you to a page where you can search for current openings. You can apply directly (if you find a match) or register for their site.
- Crist/Kolder Associates – Crist/Kolder focuses on “c-level” positions. From their main page you can follow the links to their team, their approach and the industries they cover. Clicking on “Contact Us” provides several methods for getting in touch with them (mail, email and phone).
I’ve mentioned this before but will bring it up again. Don’t be put off by a recruiting firm’s location. Many firms recruit for cities where they do not have a presence. If you are not sure, take a look at their current positions (where located) or contact them.
Good luck in yout search.
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I think the $5000 fee would be a huge red flag. Thanks for the warning.
Wow! That is a single of the top blogs I’ve ever are available across on this subject. Merely Amazing
I have the same problem. I was contacted by Statoil PLC in London. The e-mail Was recruitment@statoil-plc.com and he made a long interview with me trhu e-mails but never asked me to talk to him by phone. The name of Statoil representative was Joseph C. Cole (Phone: +44 (0)7045787733
+44 (0)7045797042.
. After the first process, he sent me the contract. I signed and forwarded to him. After that he forwarded me to Mr Steve MacCarthy who had the e-mail elsonconsult@gmail.com. After talking to him, he forwarded me to the laywer called Walter Ferguson who had the email walterferguson@walter-lawyer.com. And so on, they forwared me to Gatwick Assurance where I should pay 960pounds to get a Traveller assurance. All these guys are a fake. DO not Trust!! Be aware.
Cheers
I have same story as Marcus does except Harry C. Watson acted as HR recruiter at recruitment@subssea7.com, and Gary O. Fisher as Project Director at projectdirector@subssea7.com. Harry only sent me an assessment form to be filled out. No interview over the phone. Don’t even think of face to face interview. Harry said he got my resume from Elson consulting. This elson consulting name is already banned from oilandgasrecruiting.com. It posted several scam openings on this website, according to its web master, David Kimberley.
Walter Ferguson also has the same email. And I was required to purchase international traveller insurance from Gatwick Assurance. I was instructed to pay 50% first for family insurance. It is 890 pounds. They will send the confirmation, policy number and package. Then I am required to send the rest. They didn’t accept credit card payment because their system was down and is still down, according to Howard Clark from Gatwick. So they accept telegraphic transfer (at least 7 days) or western union money transfer (about 3 hours). They suggessted me to use western union. What a crook!
I too was scammed by Joseph C.Coles. He wanted me to send a “money gram” to a Thomas Matthew esq. in the amount of 855 pounds. This was for a work permit that the had applied for on my behalf with the UK Border Patrol.
After I found the scam out Mr. Coles replied to me saying that if I knew of all his problems then I would just, automatically, wire him $1,000….out of the goodness of my heart!
He also stated that we were all created by one father…. and that one day he would go “legit”. I don’t know what “father” he refers to but it is not the one I want to know.
I too was had by an Paul O’Neil with Ocean Rig Group UK who sent me an employment agreement without so much as a phone interview, then forwarded me to a Frank Downing, supposedly an attorney to process a work permit, funny but the first email it was signed by someone else and then to the Gatwick Assurance for the travel insurance, same as you all. The only thing is that i am passing all of this to the FBI.
January 7, 2011
Almost scammed but not quite….First contacted by who was suppposedly the head of HR with Cairn Energy in Scotland. Asked to fill out an application a survey and provide all documentation in my CV. Was provided an offer letter and then told an immigration lawyer would be contacting me. Frank Downing did not represent himself as a lawyer but an immigration consultant. I was asked to fill out 5 forms (I did not because I had caught – thank God by this time). I was asked to purchase one years worth of travellers insurance. As a matter of fact I am going to provide the contents of his email below:
“Dear Leslie Leazer,
I am Frank Downing. The Immigration consultant recommended by Cairn Energy PLC UK. I have attached the GATSA forms. It is for work permit applications issued from the British Home Office. The form should be filled and sent back via email to me.(all the information required in the form should be provided accurately) with these documents.1, Photo page of your international passport 2, You are to write a letter of acceptance of job offer addressed to the Director, Home Office Immigration and Nationality Directorate P.O Box 309 , Liverpool , L27XS. You are to state the company name (Cairn Energy PLC UK) the position offered, the letter should be signed and sent to me. 3, you should take a one year coverage INTERNATIONAL TRAVELLERS INSURANCE POLICY, this a mandatory requirement by the British Home Office and also a pre-requisite to renew your resident/worker’s permit every year. Based on the new Home Office guideline, the accredited insurance company is HEATHROW ASSURANCE in the United Kingdom. You are to contact them for the insurance policy via their website at http://www.heathrowassurance.com or email info@heathrowassurance.com you will be issued a certificate after you have gotten their policy. You are to send me a copy of the certificate with other requested documents to file your work permit application. You can reach me through my telephone number, +447045700933 Fax +448704954878″
In closing not too sure what the scam really is – is it identity theft – or the purchase of travellers insurance – Does not matter….I have provided no money but quite a bit of personal info…no banking info – just personal info. I am in Houston, Texas in the United States and tried contact the FBI, the FTC, and the Immigration office – Nobody seemed interested because there were no other complaints! Please be aware and provide nothing to these people. When I was initially contacted by who I believed to be the head of HR at Cairn Energy – there was a warning on their website that people were being offered jobs by others outside of Cairn. I looked up the named of the HR individual on LinkedIn and found him to be legit. However, it did not occur to me at the time that someone was impersonating him. Major due diligence needs to be exercised during these desperate times. Please do so and be aware – even if the person seems legit – call them! I should have done so!
The Cairn energy scam is alive and well. Identical to Leslie Leazer’s situation to the letter. I have reported to FBI, IC3 and other scam. Like Leslie, I have provided personal info, but no banking, ssn, etc. I am in Houston area also. I phoned the guy after expecting a call; and knew immediately that he was a fake. I called the true “Cairn Energy” and was notified that there is indeed a scam. Just received the Frank Downing stuff, but holding it for review by policy, FBI, and any international fraud protection entity I can find. Think the scam has been snuffed, but with a few more steps who knows.
I too was ALMOST caught into this scam with Cairn Energy. I’m in Houston as well. I did file all the reports with the proper authorities. Unfortunately they have a copy of my passport. Bummed had to cancelled it to prevent them from using my number to open accounts internationally. The funny thing is the link I got from Heathrow Assurance had a worm virus. Whenever I did a search on Cairn I saw Murdo MacKay’s picture. He/somebody even called me because I wanted to talk to members of the team there and in Houston. Never happened so they never got my money…whew! After I removed the worm virus, Murdo MacKay’s picture is not on the site, I can verify Cairn email addresses and I can see that Cairn Energy DOES NOT exist in Houston. The hr rep said I could transfer back to Houston after two years. Was only able to ask three questions because I thought we had a bad connection. This group is highly skilled. Not the traditional flags I’ve been warned about.
Could you please help me by verifying whether AMJ Subsea, located i Aberdeen, UK is a legitimate offshore drilling company ?
Sorry, I don’t have any easy way to check this for you. You should do a few checks on the Internet. A quick check for fraud or complaints in your search will let you know very quickly. Try to make the search balanced (and ensure the sites you are reading are respected sites).
Well the same thing is still happening. I saw a posting on indeed.com website for Cameron Limited. The link took me to a website job portal operated by CATSONE.com. Names involved besides Cameron Limited are:
David Hunter
James Mcfadden
Frank Downing
I have not been asked for money yet, but after reading this it is the likely the next step.
It looks legit.
Scam Still alive now using the name Northern Petroleum…. using same modus operandus…… This is Insurance scam costing you ~ 1000 pounds… be ware… Alert All.
I was scamed and it is the worst feeling in the world really because when I looked everything up it all seemed on the up and up beware of Stinar Pedersen +44-704-570-0895 and Frank Downing edwardcannon@unitedkingdomhomeoffice.com this is the imagrations email address.
Check this out guys:
cameron limited (through indeed), then http://www.heathrow-assurance.com!
he is back!! lol
I have been going through the same process with the Paul O’niel – Ocean Rig Group scam, and got the same offer with the forwarding to Frank Dowing. This is a very legit looking offer, but it is all to good to be true.
I received the following email as well. BEWARE PEOPLE IN HOUSTON. THIS IS A HOAX…I’ve done some research, and haven’t spent any money, but it’s been pretty recent. He used a company called Trap Oil, UK, The company is logit with a stock portfolio, so it will come across as a legit offer letter and firm. Damn I thought it was real, but read below, if you get this, STAY AWAY!!!!
I am Frank Downing. The Immigration consultant recommended by Trap Oil Group PLC UK. I have attached the GATSA forms. It is for work permit applications issued from the British Home Office. The form should be filled and sent back via email to me.(all the information required in the form should be provided accurately) with these documents.1, Photo page of your international passport 2, You are to write a letter of acceptance of job offer addressed to the Director, Home Office Immigration and Nationality Directorate P.O Box 309 , Liverpool , L27XS. You are to state the company name (Trap Oil Group PLC UK) the position offered, the letter should be signed and sent to me. 3, you should take a one year coverage INTERNATIONAL TRAVELLERS INSURANCE POLICY, this a mandatory requirement by the British Home Office and also a pre-requisite to renew your resident/worker’s permit every year. Based on the new Home Office guideline, the accredited insurance company is HEATHROW ASSURANCE in the United Kingdom. You are to contact them for the insurance policy via their website at http://www.heathrow-assurance.com or email info@heathrow-assurance.com you will be issued a certificate after you have gotten their policy. You are to send me a copy of the certificate with other requested documents to file your work permit application. You can reach me through my telephone number, +447045700933 Fax +448704954878
Thanks,
Frank Downing.
THANK YOU ALL SO VERY MUCH FOR YOUR SPEAKING OUT ON THESE SCAMS!! My mother was just contacted by Ocean Rig, and when she got her employment offer, I distinctly noticed some inconsistencies, like they would write “$14,000 pounds” when clearly, the dollar sign is NOT the pound sign. The signature at the bottom of the document was clearly not Paul O’Niel, and, most importantly, the Houston location on the website is not leased to them. I was going to drive past the address, since I live in Houston, but once I did a google search, I realized they don’t have an office there. Also their phone number for the Houston office doesn’t have a company greeting, but simply goes to voicemail saying “the voice mail box is full.” I knew something was fishy. She could never contact anyone via phone to assist her in her job transition, which was so weird. I felt so strongly it was a scam, so thank you all for verifying this for me. Thankfully, we didn’t get our hopes up. God bless!
New scam…. Graham Heard imposter… Graham Heard HR Advisor. Graham Heard is actually a director with Northern Petroleum. I applied to Statoil then was contacted by Northern. Was made an offer 7061 BP/month so it seemed a little high but reasonable considering that I would need to relocate to the UK for 5 months. They refered me to Frank Downing(Immigration lawyer)his email was a live.co.uk so it got me to thinking. I am an accomplished internet recruiter so I decided to do some searching. Northern has a warning about this fraudulent offers for Graham Heard on the website. If you go to the immigration Home Office site you will find information that will get you thinkingthat you are being duped. I found this forum and have not tried to contact Frank. My concern since this is a ring, is has anyone had their Identy stolen by these guys? So beware of Statoil and Northern Petroleum offers in Houston!