Recruitment agency took US$2000 (said there was employer but then...)

Hello everyone,

I am writing with a very heavy heart that goes out to my cousin who is currently living in the Philippines. He applied as a caregiver with a recruitment agency here in Canada. He initially paid $500 to have his profile published.

After waiting for over a year, he got an email from the company director asking him to pay $2000US because they have found an employer for him. In that email, she attached the supposedly contract even the name of the employer, the responsibilities, wages, etc. She was even upset because my cousin didn't respond immediately (he didn't have the chance to check his email for a few days when she sent the message). In that email, the contract is to start Oct 1st, 2007 so he needs to be in Canada by then. I am sure it is common knowledge how difficult life is in the Philippines. My cousin loaned the money and sent it via Western Union to this lady (he addressed the initial $500 over a year ago to the same lady and got a receipt for it). After a couple of days, he was told that the employer started to change her mind and asked my cousin if he has any relatives here in Canada. He said he has a cousin (me) and now they WANT ME TO SPONSOR HIM so he can come here. I cannot sponsor him because I am currently a full-time mom for my 2 kids so we do not need a caregiver/nanny. Besides, when he initially asked for their services, it was made clear that he wanted them to look for his employer and that no family sponsorship was being discussed.

Now this company is not responding to his emails. He's been asking for the receipt for the $2000 he paid via Western Union and nothing was sent. My aunt (his mom) called their office several times but they said to do communication via email. Nobody is answering her emails as well. Now my poor relatives are paying the monthly intereste of this HUGE MONEY. Just to let you know, the AVERAGE YEARLY INCOME in the Philippines is NOT EVEN CLOSE TO $2000.

I don't know how to help them. They just want the money returned so they can be free from the huge debt. PLEASE HELP! I hope you can respond to this posting. Thank you!

Regards,
Jasbay

That sounds like a scam and money would not normally be sent by Western Union--get the police involved.

World Law's lawyers could also probably help resolve this if need be. You may email them on the home page.