Fraudsters target job hunters in Swansea

JOB hunters in Swansea have been targeted by fraudsters.

A police investigation has been launched after a teenager looking for work in the city was scammed out of £60.

Josh Press of Mayhill was laid off in January following a seasonal stint with online retail giant Amazon.

The 19-year-old spotted what appeared to be a genuine advert for a hospital porter position at the Grove Residential Home near Ystradgynlais.

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The former Dylan Thomas School pupil applied for the job and received an email congratulating him on successfully securing the position at the Bupa-run care home.

Mr Press received an email claiming to be from Bupa’s head of recruitment which told him to attend two induction and training days and also asked for £60 to be sent to cover costs of a Criminal Records Bureau check.

He sent this payment but, on arrival for the first of his two training days, he was greeted by blank faces at the care home in Ystradgynlais.

The teenager was told the job did not exist and that up to 10 other people had also arrived at the care home on the same day also looking to start their induction day.

He said: “I was shocked and embarrassed.

“It could happen to somebody who has been unemployed for a year with four children and a mortgage.”

Mr Press reported the incident to police in Swansea and was referred to Action Fraud, the UK’s national fraud and internet crime reporting centre, which is now investigating the matter.

Conor Whitelaw, regional manager of Bupa Care Services, said: “I am sorry to hear that Mr Press has been the victim of a scam that fraudulently used Bupa’s name.

“All Bupa vacancies are openly available to everyone on our careers website and can be securely applied for online.

“We will contact Mr Press to see if there are any jobs available at Bupa that he might like to apply for.”

Action Fraud can be contacted on 0300 123 2040 from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm on Saturdays and Sundays or accessed online via the website http://www.actionfraud.police.uk