Job Discussion Forums

[amaretto01]

OK, so I've been in contact with this 'representative' for a school in Barcelona (I believe it's a private school) and it's sounds so awesome I just need some help finding out if it's a scam or not...

They are offering me a one-year contract, at 1800 euros/month, paid rent, internet at home, and they'll reimburse the cost of the flight over there. I even get 3 weeks paid vacation at the end of each semester. Though since I've only been in contact with the rep via email for a month, I got accepted by the 'directors' based on my qualifications (I have a BA and a CELTA).

Here is the info on the school:

XTEC (Xarxa Telem�tica Educativa de Catalunya)
Telephone: +447045712072
Via Augusta, 212-206
08021 Barcelona
http://www.xtec.es/ceip-pompeufabra-manlleu/escola.htm
Director--Montse Casas F�breg

The 'representative' I'm talking to is:
Arnaldo Cruz
Corresponding Officer United Kingdom

I don't know why he's in the UK and the school is in Barcelona, but I haven't yet signed the contract (I'm supposed to do it electronically and send it back via email).

Please help and let me know what you think!!!

[spiral78]

And you're from?

It sounds like the classic scam marketed to North Americans (for whom getting a legal visa is very near impossible).

Your quals are fine, but basic - there are tonnes of similarly qualified UK teachers in Spain (or ready to go there) for whom a visa is automatic.

The perks are far above the norm for the region.

I think they are going to ask you for money very, very soon.

[SirKirby]

I'd be extremely suspicious. Why are they employing you? What other qualifications do you have...? Are you an IT expert? Do you speak Spanish and/or Catalan? Do you in fact have any qualification to teach in primary education (they told you that's what it was, right?).

It's extremely unlikely that someone with "only" CELTA and a BA would be made such an offer (and where did you orginally see it?).

Has "Mr Cruz" told you that the school is NOT in Barcelona but in Manlleu, a small town about 85km N of Barcelona?

Actual name of the Director of the school: Montse Casas F�bregas.

Contact details:
Tel 93 851 37 02
e-mail: [email protected]

Xtec is not, I don't think. an organization that employs people to work in public schools.

Their actual website:
http://www.xtec.cat/

Email address:
[email protected]

[amaretto01]

OK, So I failed to mention I do speak Spanish (not Catalan or Castillian, just standard Central/South American).

I have previously taught primary school, ages 4-14 in South Korea.

And I got an MA in International Relations (not in Education, I know, but could be something else they took into consideration, besides the CELTA certification).

They haven't asked for money yet, except to say I have to pay the majority of my plane ticket to Barcelona, and they would reimburse me when I get there (I heard of this in Taiwanese jobs too though).

But yes, thanks for the input. Only the last email from Mr. Cruz mentioned that small town, but it's good to get clarification on what he was referencing.

I'm also a bit suspicious, but I'm trying to find out all I can before actually signing the contract and boarding that plane....

[Insubordination]

Unless you have a passport from an EU country, it's bullshit. Even if you do, it's still bullshit. Nobody would pay you that sight unseen when they can get a few hundred suitable candidates already in-country and a lot cheaper. I hope you can find a job that suits you but I doubt that's legit.

[SirKirby]

If you have some Spanish, phone or email the contacts I provided above, that will clarify it soon enough and put your mind at rest.

[Mrguay84]

Not that I'm an expert (yet), but is sounds like BS.

Almost all of the jobs I've seen during months of looking around don't reimburse flights and pay for accommodation. In fact it seems that even managing to get a 12 month contract seems quite difficult.

Anyway, hopefully yours is the jewel in the crown. Buena suerte!

[Pauleddy]

It's not unusual now for the scam to 'show' a real school, website and all. Of course, you will pay money but will never see your money or the school ever again.

Somebody recently offered non-jobs at the Swedish School in Fuengirola, and you could even see the smiling kids on the website.

As above--if you speak Spanish, call the school today. Or, call the local education dept. for the area. If it is a scam, you should denounce it and get it blocked.

Eddy

[KDB_USA]

My husband and I have been offered positions under the same circumstances. We have been in contact with "Arnaldo Cruz" as well as his "immigration expert," etc... They have now asked us to wire part of the fee for our flights. We have been very skeptical of this as well and would like to know if you have continued in this process and/or what you have found out. From reading the feedback you received on the topic as well as from our gut feelings alone, we are thinking more and more this is a scam. Please let us know what you have learned!

[amaretto01]

KDB-

I was not clear, exactly, how the flights would work, except I was planning to ask if I could book my own-- at one point the immigration expert, a "Alvaro Federico" said something about approving the itinerary, but I haven't gotten farther than that yet.

I Did find out however, about the small town the school is in: Manlleu. It is about an 1.5-hour drive from Barcelona and consists of just 20,000 ppl. Since it is so out of the way, I'm guessing that not many teachers would have wanted to be out in the countryside, so they have to offer more incentives?

Anyhow, that's where I'm at right now. PM me if you want to exchange more info via email or whatnot!

[mozzar]

Seriously, don't send money to them! Saying that it's out of the way and that's the reason the offer is so good is a little hopeful. There are always teachers who will do it, from the UK, for less money.

[strictly_nicky]

I've said it before several times now: If this isn't a scam, I will eat my hat.

I have yet to eat a hat.

In this case it's quite clear that this is a public school, and if you haven't passed "las oposiciones" (exams obligatory to get a civil service job), and you don't have Level C in Catal�n, it's basically impossible to get a job there. I mean, I could wrong, but I doubt that.

Best of luck

[SirKirby]

Never, ever, EVER send money. As soon as they start asking for it, back out -- and ask yourself how on earth you didn't spot the scam weeks earlier.

All the warning signs are there!

[amaretto01]

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.

On another note, I am fairly sure this is Not a public school, but a private one, as another person here pointed out. From what I can tell, there hasn't been any mention of it being fully-funded by the Spanish government.

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...

[SirKirby]

It's a CEIP -- a Centre d�Educaci� Infantil i Prim�ria, ie a public (state) school.

Your CELTA tutors are mistaken, I'm afraid.

See also this:
http://www.tesall.com/esl-tesol-jobs/index.cgi?md=read;id=73506

Why would a legit Xtec official be using a Resourceful.com email address if s/he is not a scammer?

See this page, of scam phone numbers, quoting the number the orginal post provided:
http://www.419scam.org/419-phone-uk.htm

See this page, on which the same phone number is reported as being that of a scammer:
http://www.esl-jobs-forum.com/viewtopic.php?t=4646&view=previous&sid=4dbeba62bfc1c72995e5d8d1a6c29770

100%, this IS a scam, believe me!