Au Pair Scam: Latest Example

by cv harquail on December 13, 2016

Hi Folks–

Ever wonder what “Au Pair Scams” look like?  We remind Au Pair candidates to never, ever send anyone money to secure their place as an Au Pair, after only exchanging emails.   While many international recruiters/ au pair agencies will place ads and send emails to find potential au pair candidates, NO REPUTABLE AGENCY will ask you for money before you talk with an interviewer or meet with a representative in person.   

I would like to inquire with you if there is an agency called ‘”respected au pair agencies”….James Coleman (+447045600933) in the
United States.

I have been communicating with a guy by the name of Dr Dennis who is claiming to be looking for a nanny. I was advised to register with the “respected au pair agency” and have made a part payment of 250$ for further processing. They promised that once the work permit and visa are out then I can forward the balance of 250$. What makes me suspicious is now that they are demanding the balance but I have already paid the 250$ to a certain Corey White but they now want me to pay to a different name and the instruction is coming from the “host” not the agency…The host has now changed numbers and claims his number has been hacked. Please advise if such an agency in existence. The “Host” had posted on Facebook that he is looking for a nanny and that’s is where our communication started. and he advised I register with the mentioned au pair agency as he is registered with them.
thank you.

{ 3 comments }

Frankfurt AP Boy December 13, 2016 at 7:32 pm

I think you should delete the phone number here. I am quite surprised that you left it in.

American Host Mom in Europe December 14, 2016 at 5:03 am

While this one is an obvious scam, akin to the Nigerian royal family dying and YOU being their sole heir once you send $10 000 to cover the cost of transferring their things to you…not all scams are nearly this obvious.

I use Great Au Pair to find my au pairs, and have uncovered several scam profiles on there (which I’ve reported to the GAP Service Center). The most obvious ones are when I read a profile that sounds absolutely perfect…and then realise the picture is one I’ve seen on other profiles. But not obvious at all unless you are very familiar with the candidate pool.

Then there are scenarios where it is hard to tell if there is a scam coming, or just a lot of lying. I was exchanging emails with a seemingly good candidate once, some years ago, when my husband thought to search for her online. We found her…and discovered that she was about 5 years older than she’d mentioned, and had an ex-husband, and a current husband – none of which had come up in our multiple emails or her profile. Needless to say, we stopped the communication then.

Always, always be cautious.

HRHM December 15, 2016 at 3:48 pm

If you look at the US State Department website, they list the actual agencies that are registered sponsors for J-1 Au Pair programs. There are 16 and the list rarely changes. Needless to say, the one listed above isn’t an American agency. Sorry you lost your money.

https://j1visa.state.gov/participants/how-to-apply/sponsor-search/?program=Au%20Pair

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