I saw this posting on eslemployment.com about a month and a half ago. It was for a language school in Barcelona called “English for Biz.” The benefits they were offering are the following:

1700 Euro Salary
2500 Euro severance pay at the end of a one year contract
2 weeks paid vacation
“Visa assistance”
Free well-furnished apartment
Airfare paid by employer
Paid utilities (electric, water, etc)

I contacted the school with my CV, cover letter and such. I was elated to get a prompt reply from a man that went by the name of Miguel Ferran stating that I was being considered for the position. He sent me an application which I filled out. The next day he scheduled me for a Skype Chat interview which struck me as a bit odd but I went with it. The interview lasted about an hour. All his questions were very general and written in poor English. I tried to write to him in Spanish to prove that I could speak it but he only responded to me in broken English – another red flag. Still, I went with it. Not 12 hours later said Miguel contacted me via Skype Chat telling me he would let me know the next day of the school’s decision – something I found strangely hasty and unprofessional considering the offer. Sure enough, the next morning I got an email stating that I’d been chosen for the position. The school sent me a one page contract that looked completely photoshopped. Then they referred me to an “Immigration Attorney” to whom I was to send my filled out visa forms with all my personal information and 180 Euros. I told them before I’d send anything I’d need pictures of the school and of my apartment, the school’s Tax ID numbers and contact info of ESL teachers who had worked there before. They responded with a picture of a building that could have been taken anywhere, photos of an apartment that looked straight off the pages of an IKEA catalogue, no Tax ID numbers as “they had already been sent to their faithful attorney” and a seemingly bogus email for a one “Alex George;” an American teacher who supposedly worked for English for Biz before. Despite being totally suspicious I still emailed Alex. For three weeks I heard nothing. This made me even more suspicious so I contacted the American Consulate in Barcelona and informed them of my situation. They told me all work permits/residency visas must be applied for in my last country of residence. I told this to Miguel and informed him that I would be applying for my visa/work permit via the Spanish Consulate closest to my city of residence. He hit the fan and wrote me the following: “If you can not trust us your employer then we see no need why employing you.” In my mind, this cinched that he was a fraud. I told him I was no longer interested in the position and that I’d be moving on with my job search. Miraculously, the next day I received the following email from Alex:

Oh am sorry I barely check this box. all the same I was happy working with them and if I have another chance to work there I will be happy to do so.

Regards
Mr Alex.

This was in response to the following email which I had sent “Alex” weeks before:

Hello,

My name is ******* and I’m an American English teacher moving to Barcelona for work at the end of the summer. I was informed by English for Biz (from whom I’ve received an offer) that you were once one of their teachers. I was wondering if you could provide me with some information about your experience there. What was your overall impression of the school? Did they provide you with everything they promised? How were the students? What were your coworkers like? Did you enjoy living in Barcelona? In hindsight, would you do it again?

On top of your responses to the above questions, any additional information you would like to include about English for Biz and your experience working for them would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your time,

Sincerely,

**********

Alex’s response seemed to have been written by the same hand that wrote all the emails from Miguel. I wondered if he, Miguel, and the “Immigration Attorney” weren’t one and the same person(s).

I’m still not sure if “English for Biz” is a legit school. It has a website and such but nobody there ever answers the phone (I tried calling many times). If it is a legit school then Miguel Ferran, or whoever is posing as Miguel Ferran is tarnishing his and his school’s good name. I’m sure if there’s a conman posing as a rep for “English for Biz” he and his buddies will just move on to the next school but I’ll give you all the info they used anyways.

English for biz
Rmbl. Pompeu Fabra, 55
Mollet del Valles, Barcelona
Mr Ferran Miguel
Phone: 00 (34) 931 845 638
E-mail:contact@englishforbiz.com & englishforbiz@post.com.
Skype: englishforbiz

Immigration Legal Services

ATTY/Herminio Firminus
E-mail: spanishvisas@consultant.com
+34-951242140
Skype: spanishvisasa

PS. Something to always keep in mind when searching for an ESL teaching job abroad … No legitimate school will EVER ask you to send them money for “visa requirements.” Visas are almost always obtained through your country of residence. Moreover, you are the employee and they are the employer. They should be paying YOU for your services, not the other way around.