I THINK MINING

    Are Australians nicer people than the rest of us and therefore more vulnerable to mining scams than the rest of us?  

Inspired by Bernie Madoff, I sought out news and blog-views on current mining scams.  Seems as though the biggest mining scammers are Australians.  The scammers go after people looking for a job in the mining industry.  The problem is the scammer offers jobs at non-existent mines. 

    Prospective ‘employees,” aka those being scammed, are interviewed and “selected” for a new job at a mine somewhere in the further parts of nowhere in Australia.  But there are cost associated with getting the job and getting to the site.  The scammed prospective miner coughs up money for a flight to the non-existent mine and the scam artist romps off the Hawaii with the money.  The prospective miner is left stranded at an airport waiting for a flight to nowhere.  Here is the link to the story. 

The Australians know all about this.  Here is an extract from a recent report: 

Australia’s mining industry is riddled with con artists who run phantom online recruitment services, according to one industry insider.   Jody Elliott is a former human resources manager for BHP Billiton and now runs a free information website for applicants seeking work in the mining industry.    Part of her motivation for launching mineblogger.com.au was the staggering number of questionable operators who charged job seekers for inside information and training courses that are worthless.

it seems that Australian truck drivers are particularly vulnerable to mining scams.

Here, from the same posting, are some signs to watch out for to avoid being scammed:

Ms Elliott said the warning signs of employment scams were often obvious, but the lure of wealth and lifestyle could lead people to believe anything.  “I am often concerned and distressed at the number of candidates I meet who have been ripped off by a number of people, by paying money for information and training guides that have no value whatsoever.

“There is one website that sells inside guides on getting a job and they even offer to create resumes for job seekers, but the information offered contains a number of spelling mistakes.  Other services promising high-paying jobs in the industry should be avoided at all costs, especially during times of economic uncertainty, she said.

“Under no circumstances at any point in time is there ever a guaranteed job in the industry … if these jobs existed, you wouldn’t have to pay for a foot in the door.  “Hiring is about finding the best person for the role, not the person who pays for it.”

People looking for work in the mining sector should research the required qualifications and find an accredited training provider. Quick solutions that seemed too good to be true probably are and could leave the job seeker hundreds or thousands of dollars out of pocket, she said.

In the United States it would appear that mining con artists gather in Arizona.  At least if we judge by the number of documents put out on avoiding mining con artists in that state.  But Colorado is not Immune.  Here is a bit from one report: 

Between May 2005 and June 2007, Boros and his company - North American Mining - sold interests in limited partnerships that purportedly operated “low-risk, high-return” gold and silver mines in Durango, Mexico. Boros told investors that investor funds would be used to develop and expand the alleged gold and silver mines. . . . Boros then misappropriated virtually all of these funds, spending at least $358,358 of investor funds to pay his personal credit card debt, to lease and maintain three BMW automobiles, and to pay for his household expenses and his daughter’s college tuition.

    Now some folk even manage to con entire governments. Read the story at this link to decide for yourself if this good old rugby playing, white Rhodesian imperialist has not actually conned the whole Mugabe government.  If indeed he has, then this is but another example of greed and stupidity as the basis for being conned.  The sad part is the innocent people who are not of the same tribe as John Bredenkamp or Robert Mugabe.