Police hot on the heels of job scam masterminds

POLICE have called for public assistance in tracing around 28 people who parted with their money after they were offered non-existent jobs in Norway, Alaska, Iceland and Greenland.

Deputy Commissioner Hophni Hamufungu said the group deposited funds into an account provided by an agent who promised them jobs with fish packaging companies. “These witnesses did not get employed or their money back,” he said in a statement yesterday.The Namibian reported recently that an agency, Unique Jobs, had recruited some Namibians to advertise the scheme and to help transfer N$1 100 each to its SA account.However, Norwegian Ambassador in Pretoria Jon Bech said they had discovered a similar scam in South Africa and had reported the case to the police.He said there were no such jobs in Norway and claimed people were being duped.Klaus Andresen, Norwegian Honorary Consul General in Namibia, said he became concerned when people started streaming into his office with applications for visas.”It is a scam.They must stop immediately; otherwise we will push for their prosecution.People come to us and get very disappointed when they discover that it is a scam,” Andresen warned.The agencies promise people high-paying jobs in fish factories, on ships and in other factories.However, after depositing the money, Namibians usually discover that such jobs do not exist and that even the companies are fake.Warrant Officer James Matengu confirmed recently that the Police were on the heels of another group of foreigners with a Namibian bank account that fraudulently operated in Windhoek.”They claim that the company is based in South Africa and the United States.These people have taken a lot of money from Namibians,” Matengu said.Police were close to arresting the syndicate members recently after being tipped off by some of the victims, but the group vacated the building from where they operated and evaded the forces of law and order.The witnesses are requested to contact Detective Inspector Namukwambi at 061-2094343 or Detective Sergeant Jonas at 061-2094345 or on 0812596425.”These witnesses did not get employed or their money back,” he said in a statement yesterday.The Namibian reported recently that an agency, Unique Jobs, had recruited some Namibians to advertise the scheme and to help transfer N$1 100 each to its SA account.However, Norwegian Ambassador in Pretoria Jon Bech said they had discovered a similar scam in South Africa and had reported the case to the police.He said there were no such jobs in Norway and claimed people were being duped.Klaus Andresen, Norwegian Honorary Consul General in Namibia, said he became concerned when people started streaming into his office with applications for visas.”It is a scam.They must stop immediately; otherwise we will push for their prosecution.People come to us and get very disappointed when they discover that it is a scam,” Andresen warned.The agencies promise people high-paying jobs in fish factories, on ships and in other factories.However, after depositing the money, Namibians usually discover that such jobs do not exist and that even the companies are fake.Warrant Officer James Matengu confirmed recently that the Police were on the heels of another group of foreigners with a Namibian bank account that fraudulently operated in Windhoek.”They claim that the company is based in South Africa and the United States.These people have taken a lot of money from Namibians,” Matengu said.Police were close to arresting the syndicate members recently after being tipped off by some of the victims, but the group vacated the building from where they operated and evaded the forces of law and order.The witnesses are requested to contact Detective Inspector Namukwambi at 061-2094343 or Detective Sergeant Jonas at 061-2094345 or on 0812596425.