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!

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.

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!

Cheers