WARNING: UK TEACHING SCAM

It started out last week. It's still quite fresh.

I am a job hunter. I hunt for jobs because as the world economy had been on a slump, jobs aren't easy to find. I hunt jobs not just for me, but for my husband as well. Since he's not very confident when it comes to English sites, i don't mind. i hunt. I post our resumes left and right. Although i gotta admit, my resume has a little bit more fire than husband's as it was my own

The first message i received was mid-April. An invitation to work in UK... sweet offer, with sweet salary plus benefits. But i thought it must be a wrong send. I checked the names on the message header and i saw that they are great English teachers! Licensed, with Masters... no there must be a mistake.

Then i received two more.. and this time, since i am a job hunter, without a clue where i have left my resume online, i consulted my husband. I was skeptical. But as my husband usually doesn't tell me anything positive (as i clearly instructed him to do), soothed my doubts away and encouraged me to try. There's always no harm in trying... but i smelled something fishy about it. They all wanted the same: teach my wife and kids.

I like kids... and so, one afternoon while my kids were napping, i responded to these e-mails. Be warned, it's a scam. DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT.

Looking For An ESL Teacher
...
Miguel diaz
...
View Thursday, April 23, 2009 8:57:04 AM
To:dr.igmiguel@gmail.com

Dear Teacher,
i am Dr Miguel Diaz from Colombia,presently residing here in the UK with
my wife amandine and two kids by name , Sebastian and Diana ,
i am in need of an english teacher to come and teach my wife and kids for
a period of one year,
Compensation and Benefits Package.:A very attractive monthly salary which
is GBP4,500 Paid monthly, Quality single or family hhousing on arrival down
here,medical insurance,travel allowance,
Thank you for your anticipated response phone: +447024043001...
Dr Miguel

Oh, this is just one... Only this one actually progressed.

Dear Teacher Deianne
hope you are doing very good at the moment,
i sure sent the e-mail to you ok,there is nothing mistaken about it,
is nice getting your interest over the job,i have gone through your
resume which you sent to me and it is very excellent though brief,
how long have you been at south Korea?
your level of experience is very great and i think i can confine in that alone,
when can you be able to make it down here?
are you presently working?
do you have a valid international passport?
will you be coming alone or with your kids?
your resume did not even state if you are a male or female,
will be waiting to hear from you asap,feel free to call me at your free time
presently discussing you with my wife and kids,
cheers
Dr Miguel

I'm an idiot! He's flattering and he can't do English... as bad (or worse!) than Koreans. Let's cut to the chase. Two days later, he sent me a CONTRACT. A very vague contract, so i had to consult my friend in Australia. She had been travelling around the globe because of jobs. I was excited, I'm telling you. I thought, why is Korea so unkind? And this man is willing to hire me even though i only mentioned i am not a native speaker... He said i could take my family and he'd pay for absolutely everything... airfare, utilities, the works. He even sent pics!!


I say... okay.. i see kids. But my husband, skeptical as i am, he's more. He requested a picture of their house, and the house that was for me.


The big house (he said) his house, and the one on the right would be mine. His reason why there aren't any interior pics (from "my" house) is because it's being decorated and it's locked.

QUESTION: IF HE WAS THE ONE RENT THE PLACE THEN WHY CAN'T HE ACCESS IT?

Cute London house. I heard houses in London look like this.... very similar.

Okay... starting to get drowsy here. I'll be back, with more news.