Job Discussion Forums

Gerhard E. Jene · Joined: 16 May 2003 Posts: 43 Location: London

Hi all

I have been given an opportunity to work in Switzerland. It is with a school called Zurich International English School. Here is the catch, they mention in an email to me about a refundable deposit of 600 euro.
They have said that it will help to prove my sincerity about this job. Further in the email they say that this money is in essence still mine and I will get it back. I just wish to get an opinion about this. Thanks all. The job pays 1600 euros a month.

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

SCAM!!

This wording regarding 'proof of sincerity' has appeared before on the forum. You might run a check of this...

joshsweigart · Joined: 27 Feb 2005 Posts: 66

Definitely a scam!

Google only produces a link to some kind of message board. Zurich International School appears to be legit though.

Gerhard E. Jene · Joined: 16 May 2003 Posts: 43 Location: London

Hi everyone

I called the school called 'Zurich International School' on the mornig of Feb. 23, 2007. They have told me that the school "ZURICH INTERNATIONAL ENGLISH SCHOOL" does not exist. Luckily I never sent any money that was requested. I just hope that none of the other 6 sent money.

Skepticologist · Joined: 22 Feb 2007 Posts: 1

I applied to the same school and got the same extremely suspicious reply (complete with poor English and innappropriate exclamation points!).
Anyone have any suggestions for stopping these people, or at least warning others it's a scam?

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Guy behind this scasm is just another 419-er. (Nigerian Advanced Fee Fraud.)

Gerhard E. Jene · Joined: 16 May 2003 Posts: 43 Location: London

To Skepticologist

As for warning others about a scam, this is the best way of doing it.

To everyone else

Looking back at it now. There are some things that just did not seem totally up to snuff. If a school is at a location for 4 yrs., you would think they would have a fax number and a telephone number. Then they should have had a website up and running since the school started in 2002. As they claim it did but the website would not be up until later this year.
After supposedly 4 yrs. in Switzerland, why have an office in Athens. That also does not make sense. The other is that by using a program called google earth, the address given for this fictitious school is outside of Zurich. Not far from a legitimate school known as Zurich International School. Which does have a website and provides the necessary phone numbers to contact them. Which I did. Luckily myself and 4 others out of approx. 7 selected did not send any money of any kind. for I have received either private messages or messages thro this forum and another one about this alleged school known as ZIES. Another thing that can be done is to have Western Union notified that they are being used this way and see if they can assist. I think that a legit business like them would not want to be involved in such activities. Especially if there is some kind of sufficient evidence is provided by a concerned person or through the police.

JRCash · Joined: 07 Nov 2006 Posts: 91

It is extremely unlikely a future employer of any kind would ask you for money up front to assure them of your sincerity, putting it simply, it is far too easy for them to get somebody else should you let them down. There is also no legal reason why they should ask for this money. Avoid this kind of thing!