Austral Migration, an online migration and recruitment service, has come under fire after two cases of alleged overseas job and migration scams were reported to the Consumer Council of Fiji.
The Council is urging people seeking employment opportunities overseas through social media platforms to exercise extreme caution, as operators can lure consumers with promises of quick and easy migration assistance, guaranteed overseas jobs or fast-tracked opportunities.
The Council says consumers are sometimes asked to pay upfront fees, only for the operators to cease communication once payment has been made.
The two cases recently brought to the Council’s attention involved individuals representing the agency who collected money from consumers while claiming to recruit workers and guarantee overseas employment.
The Council says one consumer paid $189 in initial fees, while another paid $178, after being told an employment offer letter would be provided.
According to complaints received by the Council, communication ceased after the payments were made.
The Council is warning consumers not to mistake a convincing social media presence for proof that a migration or recruitment provider is legitimate.
It says a professional-looking Facebook page, advertisements, testimonials or other online material should not, on their own, be treated as confirmation that a provider or employment opportunity is genuine.
The Council is also urging people to be particularly cautious when asked to make upfront payments or when promised guaranteed visas or overseas employment.
It is reminding consumers to be wary of any arrangement that requires payment simply on the promise of securing a job.
Consumer Council of Fiji Chief Executive Officer Seema Shandil says people seeking employment overseas are often making significant financial decisions based on the hope of securing better opportunities for themselves and their families.
She says before making any payment, consumers must verify the service, the organisation and the person they are dealing with.
Shandil says if people have doubts, they should not make any payment until they have independently verified that the offer is genuine.
The CEO is also encouraging people who have dealt with Austral Migration and have concerns about payments made or services received to contact the Council.
She says people who have made payments through M-PAiSA or MyCash should also promptly report suspicious transactions to their respective service providers.
The Council is urging everyone to stop, check and verify before paying for migration, visa, recruitment or overseas employment services.
People can contact the Consumer Council of Fiji through the National Consumer Helpline on 155 or by emailing complaints@consumersfiji.org.
