With unsolicited SMS messages announcing employment opportunities flying around and colourfully designed as well as cheap fliers being trust in people’s faces at every junction or street corner, Medinat Kanabe, who got curious took a trip into the jealously guarded world of recruitment agencies. You’d be amazed at what she found out.
With the growing rate of unemployment in Nigeria and the frustration that comes with it, many unemployed graduates will do anything to get a job, even if it takes paying through their noses to certain people who claim to be in the position to help them get the jobs.
For this reason, many dubious Nigerians who understand the desperation of these unemployed group of people, have created many phony platforms to catch in on the situation and extort money from them, under the pretext of helping them get professional jobs. But instead, they end up giving them unprofessional or menial jobs. In the process, they also make money for themselves.
The two main methods used in getting these graduates are via bulk SMS – to phone numbers sourced from NYSC brochures, or through randomly composed numbers, and via the distribution of flyers listing vacancies, with numbers to call; without detail office address or job details.
Now, because these graduates are desperate, they respond to these SMS messages inviting them for job interviews in places they never applied to, forgetting that the days of express job offers are long over.
On their lucky days, these outfits may get responses from as many as 40 to 50 job-seekers; but rather than carry out a proper interview, as this reporter found out, they simply ask them cheap questions and tell them to go and await a response. To a second category of job seekers, they proceed to lecture on how to become big business people if they register with a fee in the region of N15,000.
Mission One: Expelled for saying ‘hi’
This reporter first attended a supposed job interview after receiving an SMS stating that “You are invited for a chat at Boss Resources, 90, Awolowo Way, Ikeja, Opposite Man House by 9am prompt, for inquires call 07033167996.
Dressed in suit and carrying a file like a typical job seeker, she headed for the address. The office is located by the road along Awolowo Way, Ikeja and very easy to locate. It is an old, one-storey building that houses some other offices.
She got there at exactly 15 minutes past 9am and was made to show the SMS invite as a proof of invitation. Thereafter, the security officer at the entrance told her she was late, but could go in quietly and join the others.
On joining the others, she however discovered that this wasn’t a normal interview process at all. They whoever they were – had started showing a video with many foreigners talking about direct selling and how they have made a lot of money from it.
The video does not show any of the 12 representatives in the interview hall or talk about Boss Resources or what the company does. The representatives also did not tell you how they got your number; they just proceed to play on the psychology of the job seekers.
A lady who gave her name as Fatimah was the first to speak. She told the job seekers that there is no need looking for jobs or working for anybody and that it was better to be an investor because investors make more money, while employees get used and in the end, either gets retrenched, resigns or retires without any thing to fall back on.
She also condemned government jobs, citing disadvantages such as insecurity, time-consumption and the difficult nature of the jobs. She also listed examples of government organisations that have sacked its staff without paying them their dues.
Unfortunately this reporter was not able to complete this session, as she was sent out after about 15 minutes for talking. The 12 company representatives in the hall make sure you do not talk to anyone, stand, receive or make any call during the lecture. They tell anyone not willing to comply with these rules that, “if you want to leave, the door is behind you.”
This reporter also witnessed how a lady seated next to her was harassed for merely saying ‘hello’ as she (the reporter) took her seat beside her. She was not just thumped on the back, she was ordered out of the hall after being thoroughly insulted by the owner of the agency (Boss Resources), Mr. Dele Joy Akinsunmola.
After a while, this reporter was also asked to join the lady, since she was the cause of her misfortune.
On demanding to know how the agency got her number, she was told to call the number on the text message.
Mission Two (Day One)
This reporter didn’t get another such invitation until five months later. This time, it read thus: “After a careful consideration of your application, you have been shortlisted for an interview with BG Nigeria at 16 Akinremi Street, Anifowose, Ikeja, Opposite New Garage on Thursday 7th January by 2pm. Info, Mr. Chris 07037855775.
Determined to witness this session to the end, this reporter made a deliberate effort to comply with the rules. Curiously, one of the lady staff stood in front of the invitees; ostensibly to make sure none of them spoke to each other. As it were, she was available at all times to take all questions and it was soon discovered that it was a strategy to keep the job invitees from asking questions about the organisation. And if you are caught talking to anyone, you hear something like “Hey, what are you asking her? She is here like you and doesn’t know more than you. Ask me if you have any questions.”
They also provided a book, where we wrote our names and the phone numbers that invited us. I was number 12. By 2pm, we were told to go upstairs to a room, where our interviews would be taken.
There, a lady who gave her name as Shola welcomed us and gave us a paper with five questions, to be answered in 10 minutes.
The questions were basically about job and opportunity. On the top of the paper was written, Boss Group Nigeria, followed by an instruction to answer all questions. When I saw Boss Group, I remembered Boss Resources and began to ask myself if both companies weren’t the same. I however relaxed, seeing that the addresses were different.
One of the questions read thus: ‘In your own words, differentiate between job and opportunity,’ another read: Job and opportunity, which would you prefer? Others read ‘Where do you see yourself in five years, Describe yourself in one sentence and a last question that I cannot quite recollect now.
Thereafter, we were made to watch a video by Robert Kiyosaki on financial future after which a lady walked, who introduced herself as Fatimah, came up. I recognised her immediately as the lady at Boss Resources. This convinced me that I was with the same people and strengthened my determination to stay till the end. Fortunately, she did not recognise me.
She gave a rehash of everything she said five months earlier and added that at Boss Group, they do not give jobs but opportunities. “We build people to make money,” she said.
As employed persons, she said one depends on salaries and spend all his time working for his boss. As a self-employed, she said you don’t fare any better, as your shop could be locked or you could be made to pay for land use, pay taxes, and yet cannot have access to loans. Also, she said, you only sell during the season when your goods are needed.
Like an incurable pessimist, she also proceeded to reel out all her perceived downsides of the civil service, the medical profession, law and accountancy; adding that it is not about CV, but what you can do for yourself which is what they are about.
In conclusion, she said “We will give you the opportunity because we are big business owners. You don’t need a job with another man’s company because you will work very hard and look older than your age.”
Then she called on the head of the organisation, a certain Mr. Dele Joy Akinsunmola to address the job seekers. At that point, I began to hide my face, because I was seated in front and using a false name. Besides, I was sure he would recognise me because I left his office the last time furious.
He started by telling the job seekers that he understood their confusion as to what they were doing there, but assured us that we would not regret it. But this was already over an hour after our arrival. People were tired and thirsty; some had left after realising that the session was not a job interview session, while some had been sent out for answering phone-calls, talking or because they slept off at some point.
After about 10 minutes, my worst fear came to pass. Mr. Dele recognised me and asked “Hello young lady, have I met you before. Do you know me?” But I said no, denying ever meeting him.
Not convinced, he looked at me again and asked if I was sure I had never met him. And again I denied; and he continued with the session.
He regaled us with stories of how he has travelled the world and would be traveling again this month. Interestingly, he announced that he abandoned his residency in America just to talk to the job seekers.
“What is this nonsense I am talking about? It is just opportunity. It is crazy money. I spend money the way I like. I make over N300,000 a month, apart from other incomes I get from the business. We will teach you how to make money here. I will show you everything tomorrow; but we will only show those who are chosen after this session. You will get an SMS inviting you tomorrow if you are selected. Tomorrow you will know what we are into, you will know how to make money and you will become one of us if you are selected.” He finished.
The session came to an end after 2 hours, 45 minutes, yet not one of the audience could tell for what the company was into or what job to expect.
As if to shore up our doubts, Mr. Dele said, “I know when you get home you will meet PDP (People Deceiving People), who will tell you that we are deceiving you, that we are liars but they don’t have anything to offer you.
On getting home, I received an SMS stating that I had passed the first phase and was invited for a second. It read: “After careful evaluation of your psychological test, you have been shortlisted for the final phase of the chat with Boss Group Nigeria tomorrow by 11am.”
Day Two
Again, I set out and arrived 5 minutes ahead of time. Inside, the people were already seated and watching a video by Dr Mensa Otabil titled The Power of Vision.
About 26 minutes into watching the video, a lady, Mrs. Dewunmi Dada came in and turned it off. She congratulated us for making it to the second phase. She told us that she studied Physics from Olabisi Onabanjo University and implored us to bear with her as she went through everything we went through the previous day for the benefit of the people coming for the first time. However, I noticed that the new comers were not made to answer any questions, like we did.
Before requesting that the video by Robert Kiyosaki be played, she announced that if, in the course of the video anyone discovered that they were not interested, they could quietly leave, because it was not by force.
After watching the video, she asked those who were there the day before questions about a cash flow quadrant that we had seen the previous day. She wanted the older set to lecture the new comers, and proceeded to randomly call from amongst us. The lot fell on me, but being too tired, I apologised and requested that I was allowed to pass. She picked offence, said I was rude and ordered me to leave.
I pleaded, cried and told her that I couldn’t leave because I needed the job. She then pardoned me and told me that I was under probation.
She took us through everything we went through the previous day for another 2 and half hours.
When she was sure that the old and new comers were on the same page, she said the time had come for us to know what the company is into.
“We are into health maintenance, business development, human resources, leverage, fitness and wellness. So, no matter what you do, you can work with us. You don’t need a certificate to work here; you just need to know how to make people listen and agree to participate.
“What you need is to go to where people are gathered. It could be a mosque, a church, bus stop; and tell them about their health. Then book a day when you will go back to carry out their blood pressure, blood sugar, and do a full blood scan for them for N1, 500. After this, all the money made will be yours,” she said.
She said they work with the Centre for Disease Control, World Health Organisations, HPA, Health Professional Council, SAB.
Testimony time
It was time for testimony, and Mr. Dele was the first to give his testimony. After showing the bonuses he earned from the company, which he called Leadership Development Bonuses and which he said increased from about N130,000 a month to about N600,000 a month, aside the money he gets from presentations. He added that he was also given incentives, which from time to time runs into N500,000.
He recalled that “I earned N45,000 with my Masters degree for years working in a tin tomato company and couldn’t do anything tangible, until I resigned to join this business.
By this time, the audience had been caught in rapt attention, with some shouting “Jesus!” while others prayed to make as much money.
“You are not given targets,” he assured, “but you work three times a week and you are entitled to travel with a partner. We also help your personal development: you attend trainings, you are entitled to a company name registration and you have a leverage.”
Mr. Adela Alicia, who claimed to have worked with MTN as a project manager for 12 years, earning N220,000, but resigned to join Boss Group and now makes more than N220,000 almost every week, also shared his ‘testimony.’
“I make over N600,000 in presentations because I use the contacts I made in MTN,” he said.
What however baffled this reporter was the cheap, old dirty clothing he was wearing. His skin didn’t look well-cared for, and neither was his hair well-combed.
The next speaker was Chris Toba, who said he is a lawyer called to bar in 2012 after graduating from Imo State University. “These days, lawyers are living a life of penury. I got frustrated and left to join BG and I have not regretted it since then,” he said.
Another man, Nurudeen, told us how he graduated with a third class and knew there was no hope for a job. He spoke of how his mum tried to dissuade him from joining the BG business but refused because he saw the opportunity.
“She didn’t believe until I took her to South Africa during my travel which was sponsored by the company. We were lodged in one of the most expensive 5-star hotels in SA- Southamptom Hotel. Right now, my mum is begging join the business,” he confessed.
The final part
By this time, we had spent almost five hours. Mr. Dele then announced that we had come to the final part of the selection criteria and explained that he had deliberately stretched the session to tire out the audience, so that those who were not destined to be a part of the business would leave.
He also cursed those who left relentlessly, calling them names and saying they will die poor.
He then announced that before we can be part of the company, we must be registered.
“This is the final selection process. People usually leave when we come to this part but they forget that they are doing themselves. I will tell you why you need to be registered.
“You need to be registered to have the right back-up and support. You must be a registered partner; the company that will pay the Leadership Development Bonus must know you, and you need a company that will defend you in case of eventualities.
He announced that the fee was N11,500 and explained that at that rate, it is almost free. Breaking it down, he said: “Identity card is N500, the electronic identity card that you can use to enter the company when you visit is N1,000, and materials cost N6, 000, while N4, 000 is for real registration.”
He announced that anyone who registered first automatically becomes unit head. He also said they would begin their training immediately, do their induction the next day and start to train other people immediately.
He then asked all of us to stand up and announced that anyone who wants to be a unit head should come out with his or her N11,500 and collect a form. Six people stood up and went to him. He then gave them the form and they were taken out of the room.
In what looked like a desperate move, he also asked that “If you don’t have the N11,500 but have between N11,500 and N1, 000, come forward and collect the form. You must however promise to come and complete the money later, so that you can start immediately.”
Many people went to him and paid between N11,500 to N1, 000, as he magnanimously permitted.
Like a man desperate to make the most of a situation, he also granted that “If you have between N1,000 to N100, come and take the form with a promise that you will come and pay the rest later.”
At this point, I went forward to collect the form, promising to pay the balance later. He then encouraged us to borrow the money to pay, if need be, adding that many of them who are members did the same.
He didn’t forget to add that a Point of Sale machine (POS) was available. “The money will go directly into the company’s account and the receipt will be attached to your form,” he added.
Checkmated
After filling the form, I pleaded that they let me take mine home to persuade my husband to give me the money, but they refused. I was therefore left with no alternative but to take quick shots of the form. By this, they prevented me or any other person from taking out the form as a probable evidence, thereby underlining the fact that indeed, the whole process was a scam.
I later went into another room to make my part payment of N500.There I asked the lady if there was a bigger company other than Boss Group that gives the Leadership Development Bonus. She answered in the affirmative. But when I asked what the company was into, she said I would know during my induction, after I have paid the money. Literally, she appeared well-trained and prepared for such nosey questions.
We thus left the company for the second day running without any information about the bigger company or what they are into.
The next morning, I received an SMS stating that my training continues the next day by 11am.
The denial
When the Nation tried to speak to the Boss Group through one of their phone numbers, 09099164586 denied that they are a recruitment agency and said it was probably a mix up. Following more prodding, he begged to attend to a client and that the reporter called back in two minutes. The phone never rang again, as the male voice on the other end apparently had put it off.
Another conversation with another of their numbers, 08091102759 went thus:
The Nation: Hello, am I on to the Boss Group
Voice: Yes?
The Nation: Good, I’m talking about the recruitment agency; I’m trying to follow up on the job recruitment exercise we went through at your office…
Voice: Which recruitment agency? Excuse me…hello
The Nation: Yeah, I’m trying to follow up on the training we had at your office…
Voice: No this is not the recruitment office o (and then the phone went off and dead.)
This confirmed that they indeed had something to hide. Respondents on both end admitted being from Boss Group, but quickly started denying the moment this reporter started asking questions about job recruitment and reply to the job recruitment exercise.
Our experience in the hands of job scammers
Titilope Ogunbiyi is a victim. She said she saw people distributing very attractive handbills and requested for one. “I went there after some days. We were interviewed. They asked us to tell them about ourselves and how much we would like to be paid. They then said we should wait for their madam (boss). On arriving, she told us stories of how we can go to Dubai, as many times as we want.
Asked to describe the place, Ogunbiyi said “The place is like a warehouse, Well Primax Consult, located at 9, Oremeji Street, Iyana Isolo, Lagos. The woman we met said we can make a lot of money from it, that we can also buy our own machine. She brought out wads of naira, saying she made over N100,000 in a week. After talking for over one hour, they told us to register with N8,000 to get the GNLD ID card. I gave them N2,000 and promised to return with the remaining N6,000. But on getting home, I thought about it and decided not go back.
She recalled that they will not tell you anything at first. They will interview you, ask how much you’d like to be paid and then proceed to lecture you.”
Another interesting case was that of John (surname withheld) who said: “I paid a recruitment agency N15, 000 for a job after an interview. About two weeks after, I was sent a phone message to be at an address at Ojuelegba to resume work as a bank teller in Access bank; but when I got there I found that it was a shop. The shop was wooden and their business was sale of carpets.
“I was shocked and demanded to know if there was no mix-up in the address. I found that there was none and was utterly disappointed. But I couldn’t do anything.”
