The government says the job vacancies in Canada are being floated by a human trafficking ring believed to be working with local fraudsters who are luring Zimbabweans to apply for non-existent jobs in North America and other parts of the world.
The suspected human traffickers are disguising themselves as owners of the world’s largest hotel chain, Marriot International, whose global assets in the hospitality industry are valued at over US$25 billion.
Three people implicated in the scam following investigations by Zimbabwean authorities have been identified as William Smith, George Harkins, and Rooney Cardwell.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade spokesperson Ms. Constance Chemwai said the ministry initiated investigations following reports in the local media suggesting that Marriot International Hotels and Resorts in Canada were recruiting medical personnel.
The investigation concluded that Marriot International Hotels and Resorts in Canada was not involved in such an exercise or any recruitment drive of sorts.
In a statement published by The Herald, she warned the Zimbabwean public saying:
The ministry wishes to advise members of the public that Marriot International Hotels and Resorts have never been involved in the recruitment of medical staff. The ministry further advises that some individuals suspected to be human traffickers are disguising themselves as owners of Marriot Hotels and Resorts and floating job advertisements under the name of Marriot Hotels. Members of the public are warned that these criminal syndicates are demanding US$400 as documentation and visa processing fees.
She also urged members of the public to verify with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade and our embassies abroad, to confirm the authenticity of any such suspicious job offers.
Individuals who responded to the advertisements usually received job offers without any interviews being conducted, two hours after making payment. This was being done through social media platforms, including WhatsApp.
