FRAUDULENT "BAHAMAS" RECRUITER CONS MALAGASY

UNCLAS ANTANANARIVO 000895

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/E AND G/TIP
PARIS FOR D'ELIA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM ELAB ETRD PREL MA BF
SUBJECT: FRAUDULENT "BAHAMAS" RECRUITER CONS MALAGASY



1. (U) SUMMARY: A scam promising jobs in the Bahamas took in
reportedly thousands of Malagasy job seekers before the Government
of Madagascar (GOM) exposed the fraud. Gateway Global Consultants,
posing as recruiters for West Palm Textiles and Apparel, took USD 50
fees for a promise of possible employment in the Bahamas. After
first ignoring the problem, the GOM confirmed via its Washington
Embassy that no such company was registered in the Bahamas - too
late for many would-be Malagasy emigrants. END SUMMARY.


2. (U) For several weeks a recruiting agency called Gateway Global
Consultants has accepted USD 50 from thousands of Malagasy
applicants to purportedly work in the Bahamas for West Palm Textiles
and Garments. Given limited economic opportunity in Madagascar and
the lack of sophistication of many Malagasy workers, this seemingly
"too good to be true" offer of employment drew long lines of job
seekers. When widespread response to this questionable offer became
front-page news, Minister of Labor Tsiandopy's initial response was
to call the recruitment a "private initiative" and deny any
responsibility.


3. (U) Only after many applicants applied, but none were accepted or
invited to travel to the Bahamas, did Minister Tsiandopy belatedly
react with an investigation. Ministry requests for information from
West Palm were reportedly ignored. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs
issued a statement indicating the Malagasy Embassy in Washington had
conducted due diligence with the Embassy of the Bahamas, learning
from their counterparts that no such company as "West Palm Textiles
and Garments" was registered in the Bahamas. Secretary of State for
Public Security Rasolofomanana announced September 4 that six
suspects are prevented from leaving Madagascar pending
investigation; one of the names, Steve Turmel, was released. The
GOM has also frozen all bank accounts associated with West Palm.


4. (SBU) COMMENT: The now-infamous "Bahamas recruiting scam" shows
that despite modest economic growth and President Ravalomanana's
aspirations for rapid development, there are many Malagasy who would
pay a months' salary for just a chance to emigrate to an unknown
country for an uncertain job. Minister Tsiandopy's paralysis while
Malagasy people were bilked is disappointing but, unfortunately, not
surprising. END COMMENT.

MARQUARDT