Dr Nichols from Londond scam???

Subject:
NEED AN AUPAIR IN MY HOME
From:
nichols044 <[email protected]>
Date:
Thu, 18 Mar 2010 00:14:43 +0100 (CET)

Hello ..Compliments of the Season..My name is Dr Nichols. i saw your profile and i will want you to work for my family. i am a construction engineer i spend most of my time at work.because i work for a large company.i am a single father.We have two children, 2yr old son and 4 years plus old daugther. They are very funny and happy to please. They like to do arts and crafts, and and my son especially loves movies in particular. Felis saw your profile and said she will love you to be her nanny.We live in London,UK to be precised.This will allow you to experience it and go to school if you wanted. Once you get a valid drivers license and experience driving, you will have use of the car and a cell phone (you will be responsible for your personal calls),My son and daughter will be in school Mon-Fri from 8:00 until 12. you are to take care of the children Monday to Friday from 7 am when they wake up, until we leave for school, around 8:15 am, then again from 2:30 until 7 pm or so and from 7 am until 6 pm on Saturday with a two hour break during the day or a half day on Sunday occasionally. .

I require a night out each week and schedule your hours so that Youwont have to work more than 40 hours a week, unless we compensate you.Your duties for the children would be to get them up in the mornings, get the children ready for school, prepare snacks, play with them, help with their meals, as well as bedtime rituals such as bath.i want someone who will be a part of the family. We have a housekeeper, so you are not expected to do housework, but you will be expected to keep the kitchen area clean, help with the kid's laundry, keep the playroom tidy and clean your own room and bathroom. i will want a nanny that will take good care of my kids.i will pay you 350GBP per
week .you will have a room to your self and an Internet to your
self.and you will also be giving pocket money to your self and to take the children
out.

so if you will like to work for my family.contact the family
traveling agency. [email protected] so they will tell you the
procedure you need to go thought to enable you to come to the United Kingdom.
Thanks
Dr. Nichols


Another scam confirmation needed. There were no phone contacts in this mail. But as wel as in my another post there is an email address referring to supposed fake travel agency.

I'm heading off to work so I don't have time for a detailed explanation, but it is definitely a scam.

Hello, I recieved exactly the same email and yes it is a scam. He further sent me an email saying he work for Vero contruction company in London but when I googled this website it was obviously quickly and poorly made, and not of standards you would expect from a elite company. Furthermore what was suspicious was that in the first email sent to be he wrote under the name Allen Nichols and spoke in broken english but the second email was from a John Nichols in perfect English. I advise you to drop all contact straight away! I hope it helps - here is the email he sent me :

Hello ....My name is Dr Nichols. i saw your profile and i will want you to work for my family. i am a construction engineer i spend most of my time at work.because i work for a large company.i am a single father.We have two children, 3yr old son and 5 years plus old daugther. They are very funny and happy to please. They like to do arts and crafts, and and my son especially loves movies in particular. Felis saw your profile and said she will love you to be her nanny.We live in London,UK to be precised.This will allow you to experience it and go to school if you wanted. Once you get a valid drivers license and experience driving, you will have use of the car and a cell phone (you will be responsible for your personal calls),My son and daughter will be in school Mon-Fri from 8:00 until 12. you are to take care of the children Monday to Friday from 7 am when they wake up, until we leave for school, around 8:15 am, then again from 2:30 until 7 pm or so and from 7 am until 6 pm on Saturday with a two hour break during the day or a half day on Sunday occasionally. .

I require a night out each week and schedule your hours so that Youwont have to work more than 40 hours a week, unless we compensate you.Your duties for the children would be to get them up in the mornings, get the children ready for school, prepare snacks, play with them, help with their meals, as well as bedtime rituals such as bath.i want someone who will be a part of the family. We have a housekeeper, so you are not expected to do housework, but you will be expected to keep the kitchen area clean, help with the kid's laundry, keep the playroom tidy and clean your own room and bathroom. i will want a nanny that will take good care of my kids.i will pay you 350GBP per
week .you will have a room to your self and an Internet to your
self.and you will also be giving pocket money to your self and to take the children
out.

so if you will like to work for my family.contact the family
traveling agency. [email protected] so they will tell you the
procedure you need to go thought to enable you to come to the United Kingdom.
Thanks
Dr. Nichols

Dr Nichols
Vero Construction company,London
447024070997,447024028588,447024031624

The phone numbers in the second email are the biggest clue that this is a scam. Phone numbers which begin +44 70 are not normal London phone numbers, but redirect numbers which redirect your calls anywhere in the world - including to a scammer's mobile phone in his own country.

The emails contain many spellings, terms, and phrases which are not typical of someone who lives in the UK.

The genuine Global Travel Agency in London has a telephone number which begins +44 20, an email address ending @tvl4u.com, and specialises in booking flights from the UK. It does not help incoming employees with travel procedures. There is no known Global Travels (with an 's') Agency.

I have been baiting this person/group for a news report. (I'm a journalism student and I really want to run a feature on scams in my college paper since so many people are going abroad to work!)

Anyway, here is everything I have gathered;

The 'Allen' has actually contacted me with different e-mail addresses and even different first names. I have received e-mails on the same subject from Dave Allen from [email protected] and Allen Nichols from [email protected].

I first received the offer of work from [email protected], which I turned down rather politely because I was only looking for work in France. (That was true on my part, I am looking for au pair work in France) but I also thought that the phone numbers and poor English were slightly suspicious. I also found it odd that he had sent information on visas to someone with EU citizenship. We don't need visas to work in England. At first I did not really care, so I just put it all down to ignorance and poor grammatical skills.

However, apparently this 'Allen' did not even read my reply about not wanting to work in England and kept sending me messages. My interest was piqued so I decided to bait him a little and do some research. Most recently, 'Allen' has sent me a copy of the contract he wants me to sign. The amusing part about this is that just the day before, I had sent a message saying he can stop wasting his time, I know it is a scam and I am done working on it.

I won't post the whole contract here because it is not very exciting (unless anyone wants me to). I will say this; it is the least legal looking document I have ever seen! I have studied some law and I know when these things are suspicious. The wording is even more awkward than most legal documents and it is in Ariel font. The actual basic English in it is not as bad as the e-mails but there are mistakes present that nothing official would have. (Typos, misplaced apostrophes and the like.)

I'm not sure if I will bait this person anymore since I think I have enough proof to say it is a scam. Although, if 'Allen' keeps contacting me, regardless of my saying I know what's going on, then I will keep you updated on anything interesting.

Oh, also, I did forget one thing!

The contract mentions insurance and says

The host family shall ensure that the au pair is registered in the England National insurance Scheme

I am not English so I have no idea if the wording is right there, but it does not quite sound like it is? I know that England has national insurance but I think it is called something else? Any ideas?

Welcome to Scamwarners, NonServiam87.

Thanks for your post - it will help someone who might be unsure enough & come looking for proof here.

Yes - please post the Contract here: viewforum.php?f=28. It is always good to have reference to the types of contracts, forms etc that scammers use.

There is a 'National Insurance' scheme in the UK, but whether an aupair needs to be registered is unlikely, as they are not really classed as full-time employees (I may be wrong here, but I'm sure one of our UK members will correct this if needs be!)

Hi! I just submitted my personal experience with dear "Dr. Nichols. I received the exact same e-mail from him, a contract too. He had me there for a while, until I found out I was expected to pay GBP 650 for the flight ticket and work visa and was advised by an au pair website that this is a big no, especially since "Dr. Nichols" was not interested in receiving references from me and was ignoring most of my questions.

Hi Sheribet

Welcome to Scamwarners

I am glad that you realised it was a scam before losing any money, well done.

Could you please post anything that you received that is different to what is posted here, by doing so you may prevent somebody else from being scammed.

If you have any questions please dont hesitate to ask

Hi Ralph!

First of all, I just received another e-mail from the UK, but according to what someone in this forum wrote, the phone number given that starts with 702 is not a real UK number. The person who wrote it calls himself Lonnie, his e-mail: [email protected]. English is good, but wrote me more about the wonderful conditions I will have than about the "child".And, when I tried to view his profile in the Great Aupai website, it had already been deactivated. Doesn't look good......

Back to our friend "Dr. Nichols", here is his last e-mail to me:

My name is Dr Nichols. i am a construction engineer i spend most of my time at work.because i work for a large company and the name of the company is Vero Construction Company in London.i was formerly residing in Manchester but when i got the job..i had to moved to london for convinency .i am a single fathe cos there Mother died a year ago and since then its been hell..We have two children, 3yr old son and 5 years plus old daughter. They are very funny and happy to please. They like to do arts and crafts, and and my son especially loves movies in particular..We live in London,UK to be precised.Most times,when i go to work,when they come back from school,i have a helping hand from their Aunt(my Wife's sister)..she help do some things like taking them out at weekends and do some other things to keep them company and sometimes,they them to her place..
I used to have an aupair and she is from Kenya..she had to go because she had to go and continue her school..she spent 4months with us..her name is Tayo and her mail address is [email protected]
You can call a colleague of mine in the office at any of the numbers.. +447031984772,+447031982733,+447031938769
his name is Rob

Dr Nichols
Vero Construction company,London
447024070997,447024028588,447024031624


Here is the contract he sent me:


Standard employment contract for au pair

The application must be filled in clearly and in full. Please use capital letters only

Between (hereinafter referred to as the host family: Dr .A.J.Nichols

And (hereinafter referred to the au pair) :

Name of agency (if an agency in used) :


1- Duration of the employment period

The contract enters into force from the date on which the au pair’s work permit is issued by the police. The employment relationship is expected to last until/for. (Fill in the date or period of time. Note that a work permit as an au pair cannot be granted for more than two years in total):




2- Termination/Resignation

• the contract may be terminated by either party with at least one month’s notice. The period of notice is reckoned from the date on which the other party received notice. Notice of termination must be in writing. The host family cannot dismiss the au pair except on reasonable grounds. If the au pair so requests, the host family shall state the grounds for termination in writing. The au pair is not required to provide grounds for termination.

• Either party may terminate the contract with immediate effect if the other party is in serious breach of the contractual obligations, or is otherwise in material breach of this contract.

3- Pocket money/pay
The au pair is entitled to monthly pocket money/pay from the host family, in addition to free board and lodging.
Amount per week in GBP :450 POUNDS
Method of payment : WEEKLY

4- English language course

The host family shall pay for an English language course for the au pair : YES

5- Responsibilities

The au pair shall carry out light domestic work, mind and look after children, look after pet etc. The au pair’s working hours shall not normally exceed 5 hours per day, and a maximum of 40 hours per week. The au pair’s specific duties in the employment relationship must be specified below:

I would expect you to work 5 hours per day Mon-Friday, Take the kids to school and bring them back to the house. Take good care of them and look after the pet. There will be a car for you should in case you want to take the children out, that is if you can drive.



6- Time off

The au pair is entitled to at least 48 hours off ( free period) a week. The free period shall never be less than 24 hours uninterrupted time off. Every other week the free period shall include Sunday. Furthermore, every other public holiday shall be a day off and the au pair shall have at least one fixed afternoon off per week.
The au pair shall also be given an opportunity to attend English language tuition and participate in leisure activities.



7- Holidays

The au pair is entitled to 25 working days holiday per calendar year.

8- Illness

If the au pair becomes ill, the host family shall continue to provide board and lodging free of charge until another arrangement has been found for the au pair.

9- Status within the family

The au pair shall be treated as a member of the family and shall be given an opportunity to participate actively in family life.

10- The host family

The host family confirms that the family consist of :

Adults

Father’s Name: DR. A.J NICHOLS

The host father’s occupation is: CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS

If the host family consists of a single and a child or children, the host parent’ s percentage responsibility for daily cares and control of the child or children must be documented. Separate documentation of the percentage responsibility must be endorsed.

Children:

Name: DONI NICHOLS and FELIS NICHOLS

Which language(s) does the family speak on daily basis? English

Host Family’ address: 7 Moreton Street, Westminster, London, SW1 2PN

10- Dwelling

The host family confirms that its dwelling is a house/flat consisting of the following total number of rooms: 4 ROOMS

11- Rooms

The au pair will have he’s/her own room in the dwelling: YES

12- Additional information

The host family confirms the following additional information’s (For example, if the host family is to pay for the au pair travel to and /or from, this should be stated here):

I WILL BE PAYING FOR THE LANGUAGE COURSE.

IF THERE IS NEED FOR ME TO SHOULDER PART OF THE TRAVELING FEE THEN,I AM READY TO DO SO.

13- Disputes

If any disputes arise, they shall be dealt with in accordance with United Kingdom Law.

14- National insurance
The host family shall ensure that the au pair is registered in the England National insurance Scheme

15- The au pair are aware that

• A host family may only employ one au pair at a time or couple au pair
• The au pair may not commence work as an au pair until his or her permit has been granted
• The au pair ,ay not be related to any one in the host family ( sibling, cousin, brother-/sister-in-law
Or uncle/aunt).
•

An au pair permit can be granted or a total of two years.

• Other contracts than this standard contract is not permitted. The host family and au pair may not enter into additional contracts which are in breach of the principles of this contract

16 Signatures

The contract must be signed by both parties

Signature of the au pair and date _________________________________________



Signature of the host family and date ________________________________________May/June 2010

Some of the information on this form will be stored in a computer register. A person who has provided information which may be registered has a right of access to the information, ct the Personal Data Act of 14 April 2000 no. 31, section 18. As a rule, right of access means that you are entitled to be told what information has been registered about you

LOOK OUT, EVERYBODY!!!

Heloo Everybody! DR ALLEN NICHOLS IS A SCAM!!!

The bastard did exactly the same with me!! He even sent me photos of his children! I was on my way to pay the money today when I saw this. I thank God that I saw this! I hope no one else falls for this scam. I received 12 emails from him. He gave me a travel agency in london which actually has a website! Even the Company he works for is listed.

Good luck to all of you out there! May this be the first and last time something like this happens to us.

Hi Lulujmartins, welcome to scamwarners

I am glad that we have been able to help you to avoid being scammed, great news.

If you could post any information that is not posted above it will help others who end up communicating with this scammer.

If you need help to post anything or if you have any questions please ask

Replying to an earlier post, it is correct that the National Insurance scheme would not apply to a foreign national working temporarily in the UK, and it's payable by the employer anyway, and not in advance. An au pair would not receive sick pay or a pension which are the primary benefits.

People thinking of working abroad, especially as an au pair, would be well advised to do some research beforehand. I know it's going to be difficult to get an au pair job in the UK if you are not an EU citizen, and anyone making you a job offer against a Western Union payment of fees is a scammer. I don't even have to read the e-mail. You will have to apply for a visa in your home country at the UK consulate or visa application office and make payment to them. You have to make that application in person, so anyone offering to do it for you over the internet is a scammer. Any mention of Western Union makes it a scam. The government don't use Western Union, and nor do any companies, because it is impossible for anyone but a private individual to use Western Union.

The websites that allow people to offer and seek jobs as an au pair should make the requirements and difficulties a lot clearer, with clear warnings about the scammers who use their sites.

Welcome!

First of all, I'm very glad that you saw this before you lost any money!

Unfortunately, there are many scammers like this one targeting au pairs, so this is not going to be the last fake offer you receive, especially since you nearly paid. You may even see the same photos again, only attached to a different name, as the scammers use stolen photos (copied from various websites or even from other scam victims). The people in the photos he sent you (adults and children) are completely unconnected to the scam.

You mentioned that the travel agency has a website. Our site killers would love to have a look to see whether there is a site that can be killed. Could you please post any emails that reference the website or come from the "travel agent?" Just remove your name and any info first..

Travelwithus International agency to me

Attention:Lulu Martins,
The Management wishes to thank you for contacting us regarding the arrangement of your Traveling Documents to the United Kingdom .. We promise to Offer you the best which you will be Glad you did. We promise never to disappoint you as we have never disappointed him either. We would request that you provide us with the following so that the Documentation will start immediately. We would get your Visa within a week as soon as we receive the information from you.

- Surname

- Middle name


- Other name

- Sex

- Date of birth

- Nationality

- State or Province of Origin

- Postal Address

- Contact Address

- A scanned copy of your Passport photograph

- A scanned copy of your International Passport if any.

- Name, address, phone number and email address of 2 or more references.

- 650GBP Agency/Processing Fee(work permit,visa,INCLUDING FLIGHT TICKET TO UK etc)

- Statement of bank account from your host family's bank (This is to be sure that your host family is very well capable of taking good care of you during the days of stay in his/her house as an aupair)

Type of visa charge Validity Term of issue Consular fee
Single entry 6 months 3 Working days ? 500.00
Single entry 12 months 5 Worki ng days ? 650.00
Single entry 24 months 7 Working days ? 1200.00


All Documents will be processed and arranged here in our Office after which will be forwarded to the British Embassy along with your Flight Ticket. Also, some Copies of this Document(s) will be sent to you. We will like you to get back to us with a scanned copy of your recent Passport Photo.

We will begin in earnest once we receive all necessary Details.
You can reach us at our Customer Care Service Line +447024015662



In anticipation of your response.

Yours Faithfully
,


Travelwithus International


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