November 8, 2022
The CEO of a regional recruitment service is strongly denouncing scam artists using “half-truths” about labour challenges in the United Kingdom to target hopeful jobseekers.
This follows the Grenada National Cyber Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT Gnd) warning the public about a scam message circulating on social media promising UK visas and employment opportunities. CSIRT Gnd said the message contains a link which, if clicked on, takes unsuspecting victims to a phishing website where scam artists can steal their information and identity.
“It is shameful that someone would try to take advantage of Grenadians who only want to better their lives and pursue the best opportunities available to them,” said Caribbean Employment Services Inc. CEO Joseph Boll.
Caribbean Employment Services Inc. is a market-leading digital talent acquisition service that aims to connect the top talent from the Caribbean with hiring managers, HR professionals and decision-makers in companies both within the Caribbean as well as abroad. Further, it aims to provide the region’s jobseekers and those who are already employed with news and resources related to Caribbean labour.
Boll continued, “It is true that the UK has been experiencing severe labour shortages that have led many employers to look to the Caribbean, where they know they will find talented, hardworking candidates. This scam seems to be an attempt to use half-truths of the situation and fool earnest individuals out of their money.”
During the summer months and heading into fall, Caribbean Employment Services Inc. reported on a marked increase in recruitment within the Caribbean from foreign employers in the USA, UK and Canada. In particular, UK employers were intensely recruiting Caribbean workers, with many of them offering attractive relocation packages that included airfare, accommodations, transportation and more.
The intense recruitment appeared to be the result of labour shortages in the UK in the fallout from Brexit and something of a “Great Resignation” in the wake of COVID-19. That trend has died down somewhat by this time, although several legitimate UK employers are still actively recruiting within the Caribbean. However, Boll urged Grenadians to heed the warnings of CSIRT Gnd and only engage with legitimate companies and recruitment services like Caribbean Employment Services Inc.
“We only work with legitimate, vetted companies in the Caribbean and abroad,” said the CEO. “Our clients are verified hiring managers, recruiters and HR professionals. We would only ever encourage jobseekers to submit their resumes and applications through legitimate channels like a secure website, and only to a company they can trust.”