Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Derrek]

A situation has come to my attention, and I feel I should share only a part of it so other teachers can look out for a similar thing. I am modifying the situation, so do not take what I write here as "fact". I merely want your opinions about how the teacher could be helped, if this were to become a popular scam.

Imagine this:

At the beginning of your contract, your hagwon, unknown to you, purchases an ESL certificate course with a possibly shady third-party individual. The individual gives the owner a "receipt."

The shady part of it is this: There was no intention of ever providing you with ESL courses. The whole thing is really a clever scam by the hagwon owner to deter you from running, or to steal pay from you and/or use as reason to fire you. The "reciept" is used as proof to immigration that you owe money: maybe over a million won (typical EFL Certificate course costs).

So, after firing you (before six months, so you can't get help from the labor board), the owner complains to immigration, and they take your passport so you can't leave -- also demanding you pay the owner back for the course, which you never took.

Sound far-fetched? It's not. I know of one individual in such a circumstance, however there is no proof that the ESL course was a shady plan by the hagwon director. Again, I am modifying the scenario, because I could see this scam working, if someone did it, and the teacher would have no recourse.

What are your thoughts on this?

[Grotto]

definate troll derreck
no one can sieze your passport!
a quick call to your embassy would have fast acting repurcussions that would make your head spin.

[Derrek]

I'll clarify: Immigration seized the passport. That's what I was told. Still trying to figure out why immigration had his/her passport to hold onto it in the first place. Wrote an e-mail to find out.

By the way, when I was busted by immigration 2 years ago, they took my passport.

[Grotto]

if anyone anywhere takes your passport from you without your consent you should immediately contact your embassy and file a complaint. That is one thing they will raise hell about.

Even turning your passport over for two weeks while they process your visa is not kosher!

[cellphone]

[Homer]

Cellphone,

Grotto is simply providing accurate information and calling out Derrek for possible trolling.

The situation in the OP was not clearly explained and it is true that if they take your passport you can call your Embassy and that this will usually solve the issue quickly.

Question:

[PolyChronic Time Girl]

In Derrek's defense, this is Korea and backwards crap happens all the time at hagwons. It would be easy to come up with a fake certificate...just need the name of the teacher and some peachy stationary and whamooo!.... he/she is now ESL certified and owes 1 million won. The director probably doesn't need to even put your name on the certificate...all he has to do is tell immigration it's yours and guess who immigration is going to believe?
Hagwon owners scam teachers many times....recruiter fees, unfair deductions, report that the teacher stole something (when it's not true) to immigration...this is a clever idea to pin a teacher at a hagwon as hagwons are getting more desperate to eagle-claw their "investments."
But Grotto is right...no one should be able to hold on to your passport. Especially the American Embassy will get all bent out of shape and come after you...I told my hagwon boss this when he wanted to "hang-on" to my passport. If some Korean refuses to give you back your passport, just call your embassy.....guarentee they'll be p*ssing their pants.
*** Sorry to sound so negative...my hagwon just went bust and I'm owed tons of money, so I'm feeling a little saucy right now. I'll have tons of more "cheeful" posts about Korean directors to come

[Kimchieluver]

Can't they seize your passport if you are convicted of a crime? I think so.

[Grotto]

being convicted of a crime is a wee bit different from being scammed.

As I havent been arrested or imprisoned in a foreign country I dont know whether or not they confiscate your passport...I would imagine they would throw it in the envelope with the rest of your stuff.

[Derrek]

I'm not trolling ... you guys are way off base.

I'll send Grotto a PM about it now.

[fidel]

I'm modifying my answer, so do not take my post as "opinion" I'm merely writing some drivel to full in an empty minute of my life.

[Ya-ta Boy]

[buymybook]

[fidel]

As with the NZ embassy, passports aren't as sacrosanct as you might believe. I doubt very much that any embassy in any country would do much unless you were a VIP or something.

[Grotto]

I know of two occasions where the Canadian embassy got involved over the seizure of a passport. In both instances the passports were returned promptly and with apologies.