Job Discussion Forums

KDB_USA · Joined: 13 Jun 2010 Posts: 3

We have been under the impression that this could be a scam from the start so we have been very cautious in our communication with "Arnaldo" and "Alvero." They have now requested that we wire them $2600 Euros to pay for three-quarters of our flight costs. This confirms it is a SCAM. Amaretto - Be careful! Even if you pay for your own flight to Spain, I think you'll find yourself there without a job.

If there anyone who speaks Spanish/Catalan and can stop these guys from getting money from unsuspecting victims?

Also, what else can we do to make others aware of this scam?

dw972001 · Joined: 26 May 2010 Posts: 11

are any of you guys going to send the money to book the flight?

I'm really concerned now. It doesn't seem right!

dw972001 · Joined: 26 May 2010 Posts: 11

I'm really concerned

I'm also in South Korea and Arnaldo is asking that I book the flight by the 18th of this month.

Are any of you actually doing it? They are saying to do it through Western Union

I think I'll be backing out soon

What are your thoughts?

KDB_USA · Joined: 13 Jun 2010 Posts: 3

My husband and I have been expressing our concerns over the legitimacy of this to Arnaldo and Alvero over email. We requested that they provide us *any* proof of their connection with XTEC and/or their legitimacy as "consultants" and "immigration experts." No documentation, websites, etc. could be provided and both parties became quite rude in their correspondence with us when pressured to provide this information. We told them that we were going to book our own flights to Spain (so that we could avoid sending them money) and requested that they proceed to work on our visas. They responded rudely, yet again, and indicated that they could not assist us any further and that the school was no longer interested in us.

We are now convinced this is a scam and would not recommend that anyone send them money.

dw972001 · Joined: 26 May 2010 Posts: 11

I'm really angry now! That was good thinking though. I emailed them a similar email. I'm waiting to hear the response. I'm sooo glad I found this string

Thank God!

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

No I have NOT sent ANY money.

The only thing money-wise is that I am planning to book my own flight (I need to mention to them I have some credit with United Airlines), but I do Not plan on wiring any money, and they have not asked for any.

I'll update on here when I get more info, but so far even my CELTA instructors seem to think it's legit... so I'm hoping they are right...

amoretto, where are you? Hopefully you have not sent any money either!!! Your CELTA instructors were definitely wrong.

Honestly, I am an American working in the EU on a REAL exceptional visa, and I know what it takes to get one. The school has to argue to the national government that you have quals that they could not find in any EU candidate who applied for the job over X period of time.

(I actually have specialist post-grad related quals - and local contacts and language skills and reputation - and a great deal of luck. Truly, it's VERY rare!!)

dw972001 · Joined: 26 May 2010 Posts: 11

but these last responses have really concerned me, do they concern you at all?

Both Arnaldo and Alvaro have requested I wire money to the agency

dw972001 · Joined: 26 May 2010 Posts: 11

sorry, never mind i was really confused

dw972001 · Joined: 26 May 2010 Posts: 11

Can someone call the school themselves to clarify and make sure this is or isn't a scam??

mozzar · Joined: 16 May 2009 Posts: 339 Location: France

I understand your desire fot it to be true but the truth is that it isn't. A real business never asks you to send them money to pay for something - they ask you to get a receipt and then invoice them for the money afterwards.

If you're desperate about teaching in Spain I know of only one option (legal) after having met some Americans. Doing an MA in Bilingual and Multilingual Education from a university here places you in a school while you study for your MA, pays your MA for you, and gives you a monthly allowance of �600 - a little paltry but doable. You'll also have an MA afterwards in a pretty interesting and useful area - especially if you wish to stay in the language field. I'm thinking about taking it in a year or so myself. Just need to find out if it's open to Brits as well.

Isla Guapa · Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2010 6:43 pm Post subject:

I'm confused

. Why would a Spanish university pay for an American to get an MA and give them a monthly stipend too?

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Just to be 100 percent clear: THIS IS A SCAM
(not the MA, but the other thing).

They cannot get you a work permit. Honestly, really.

mozzar · Joined: 16 May 2009 Posts: 339 Location: France

dw972001 · Joined: 26 May 2010 Posts: 11

What's the link to this Masters program? I'm interested!

mozzar · Joined: 16 May 2009 Posts: 339 Location: France

Link.

I'm not sure if this is the exact course but it was the first one I found. It sounds very similar to the one the Americans told me about. Unfortunately it seems the deadline for 2010 has gone.