Job Discussion Forums

[United TESOL]

It has come to our attention that at least two of our graduates and six other teachers not connected to our college have been approached by an individual calling himself Dr. Alan Hamilton. I believe he is contacting teachers who have posted themselves on different ESL websites. Once he has contacted female teachers and obtained their phone numbers he conducts a telephone interview and a line of questioning that is inappropriate and we believe, sexually motivated. These questions are asked under the assumption that the teachers would be working with disabled children and they would need to understand how these children would feel. The questioning often focuses on the interviewee's throat and her ability to make 'choking' and 'swallowing' sounds. This man then asks the women to send him inappropriate photos of themselves under the pretence of assessing their health.

Dr. Hamilton claims to represent a school called Bopinesl Inc. in various countries such as Kuwait, Greece, Costa Rica, China, the Czech Republic and Korea. He claims to be either in the country he is recruiting for or in England but he has an American accent. His e-mail address is [email protected]. When asked for information about the school or a website on the BOPINESL organization he declines to give any citing security and/or privacy issues. We encourage teachers not to deal with or contact this individual and not to give your telephone number to him. We also encourage people who have been contacted by Dr. Hamilton to report the incident to their local authorities. Should you have any questions or concerns about this I can be contacted at [email protected].

[juliexcz]

Thank you for the warning on Dr. A Hamilton. I wish I read this before being 'interviewed' by him for a position in Shanghai working with disabled children. I was told that the position would pay $3100 USD a month and they would provide housing and airfare.

I was initially skeptical when I received his email, but then he called me at midnight on a Saturday night West Coast time to conduct an on the spot interview. You were completely correct with the strange questions he asks during the interview. I was told that he represented a school in Shanghai for disabled children who have throat and eye problems. However, when I pressed further for the location and the name of the school, he would provide very vague answers and evade my questions. Overall it was a very strange and unsettling experience. I hope others will not have to interact with this man!

[PAULH]

I have posted this thread as a sticky as I think it serves as a good warning to other women out there who may be contacted by this person.

It will otherwise move and disappear down the thread and be lost.


Paulh
MODERATOR

[sdisunshine]

Hi all,
Just to let you know that this guy is still conducting the same weird interviews and has several email addresses. He called me last December offering me a job wherever I wanted (?!), I knew from the very start of the interview it was a scam. He's such a weirdo. I never sent him the pics he was requesting or anything else. However I received another call from him in April and had a few emails from him since. Don't talk to this guy really.

[Guy Courchesne]

MODS, would you mind making sure this thread stays up? This character is not finished as far as I've heard today.

As "Dr. Hamilton' continues his assaults-by-phone, I would like to emphasize United Tesol's advice above on contacting your local authorities, checking with department such as an Internet Crimes Unit, International Wire Fraud, or Interpol, if this happens to you. They will ask you to help them by providing records such as emails and telephone numbers, so don't throw anything away that you might have.

This happened to you? Then Speak up! More reports means a better chance that this nutjob gets put away.

[bethan76]

Came across this thread after receiving a phonecall from a Dr Peterson, who I now believe is the same person as this Dr Hamilton.

He is now using the email address of [email protected]. I was suspicious as the wages seemed too good, but the methods used are exactly the same.

I have emailed United TESOL and would just ask people to be aware if someone does this.

It is quite a disturbing thing to have experienced now I know the truth and I'll definitely be far more cautious in the future.

[Guy Courchesne]

He is still going. Now using the name Dr. Carl Stevens and last claiming to be representing Bathel International in Tusan, South Korea, which is clearly not true. He is using [email protected] as an email address.

[wildfire]

freakish

i can only say be weary of webcam interviews.
Dress extremely conservatively and end it after you feel enough appropriate questions have been asked.

turn off the camera and keep it to a chat and professional.

do u think DOCTORS are asked to cut themselves open to prove they
can preform surgery. NO. so ...dont be a fool either.

[natty1810]

Got a phonecall tonight 11 Aug 9.30pm UK time from a guy saying he was a doctor who was looking for teachers to take up positions in Shangahi teaching physically disabled kids.

Monthly pay was US$2900 which I worked out (thanks to xe.com) as about 19,000RMB. First red flag?

Anyway, went through the standard throat tests, stick your finger down your throat and try and swallow, blah blah blah.

So I googled him and his email and low and behold I got several discussion forums about the 'doctor' on eslteachersboard.com dating back two years and some posts on this site.

Just FYI, he's still out there.

[matthew156]

[brillig]

I just received an email from an Engr. Carls Culmann who wants me to come to Wincester England to teach his family English (his loving wife Carina and his four children Ilsa ,Anselm,Armin,and Filbert). Carl Culmann, I found during my research, was a famous german structural engineer. Anyway, heads up for a Carls Culmann who is offering 3500 GBP a month, which is over $4000 American dollars, to come to Wincester to teach.

[Justin Trullinger]

Will the real Carl Culman please stand up??


Seriously- in any field, in any place, with any job offer. If it sounds too good to be true, keep looking.


Best,
Justin

[perfectweapon]

Last year I got an email, but it was from Italy. The good Dr said that it was a small village school. I did not reply as I had not contacted him in the first place.