Polaris Dive and Beach Resort

[ronin]

Just in case anyone comes across a job advertisement seeking a caretaker position at Polaris dive Resort located on Cabilao Island ....its a false ad. Came across it online yesterday and after contacting the owners Franz and Maria at the resort, found out its false. It seemed too good to be true anyway.

ronin

[tubigboy]

Why would someone put out a false advertisement for employment?

[garbonzo]

Bit odd...they have had some 'problemas' with an adjacent resort in the past. Haven't been there for quite a while. But there were some petty issues with the owner next door. Polaris is quite a good operation. Great place to stay and dive. One of the best around. I'll take the job if they put me up in the German's house next door....beautiful mini-palace...LOL..

[ronin]

Originally Posted by tubigboy

Why would someone put out a false advertisement for employment?

someone was advertising the job on various foreign job boards (Not Franz and Maria), accepting resumes and then asking for money or "finders fee" to process the resume. big scam. needless to say, the job doesn't exist and the resort has posted a message on their website advertising the fact that its a scam. very proactive and professional effort put forth by the resort.

[tubigboy]

someone in the Philippine government (police) should pose as a person looking for the job and get the scam artists. Just a thought

[Madeleine]

I'm from South Africa. My husband & I applied for the job of Caretaker Couple that was advertised by Franz Baumann on Bestjobs South Africa. After alot of email correspondence and telephone conversations between us and Franz we thought that we have landed the perfect job! After the required US$300 for the workpermits was paid over to Franz's agent Allen Gonzaga we learned the hard way that it was all a scam!!! I would really like to track this guy down and stop him from doing the same to other people. We could've lost alot more and it makes me sick to think people go this far to get rich out of other people who are struggling and just looking for a better way out!!!

[ronin]

Madeleine

I'm sorry to hear you got scammed. I would recommend you contact Franz from the link on his website, NOT the one from the job announcement which is bogus. I would be surprised if you were talking to the REAL Franz Baumann. This scam has been going on for awhile and he's posted the following info on his website. Maybe he could offer you some advice on pursueing the individual who's been perpetrating this scam for at least the last 5 months. When i read the job announcement, i immediately went to his website and found this.

[Madeleine]

From all the correspondence I would never have thought in a million years that this guy was a scam! I've even talked to him over the phone. All the trouble that he go through to provide you with all the required info on the job, the resort etc.... he even send a picture of him and his wife "maria". I'm so angry right now. I wasnt untill I came across these warnings. My husband works in Angola, so not home right now. Would have loved to share all this new info with him. Will email him tomorrow.

[Madeleine]

So, I just want to clear up a few things... There is a Franz Baumann owning a Polaris Dive Resort in Cabilao Island? And this guy advertising positions is pretending to be Franz Baumann? The job that we applied for was on the Sunset Garden Beach & Dive Resort in Bohol. So as I understand it, he, the fake Franz Baumann advertise the same job under different resort names? Because we were told that this is a new resort opening on the 1st of April and that he also has a resort that is running since 1998. And as I 've seen on the above site that you gave me there is a owner Franz baumann running the resort since 1998 with his wife. Sorry but I'm just a bit confused at the moment. I want to go big on this one to catch this guy. Not getting away this time. Know some people in "high" places that will help me. And seeing that I am a legal assistant and working in the law industry I can nail this guy. Not getting away this time!!!!

[ronin]

madeleine, what i can confirm for u is that i encountered the same job advertisement posted on a job board here in the USA. I read it and it sounded too good to be true. So, I sent an email to the person claiming to represent Polaris Dive Resort. I was curious about what Polaris resort was cus it sounded so nice so i goggled their website, and went there to look at the pictures. I found the link for the jobs where i read the information about it being a scam (which i posted above). I sent an email to the resort about the job on 1 March 2008....

"Frank, thanks so much for posting the info about the job scam here on your website. I saw this position posted on a reputable job seeker page. before i applied I google searched Polaris Resort and read your message. thanks for being proactive and putting that info up. you saved me alot of hassle and potentially being ripped off.

Honestly, I thought it was too good to be true anyway lol...

take care"

Franz replied to me the same day:

"Hello Gene,

Thanks for your email.

We are glad to hear that there are people like you who are clever enough to make a research first before
making a move. It's a pity for the other victims, they only email us to this address when it's too late.

Hope you will tell you're friends.

Take care and best regards,

Maria and Franz"

Here is a copy of the job announcement that is STILL posted at The Job Box, LLC :: Job Seeker Search Jobs

i also sent the manager of this site informing them it was a bogus ad but no action was taken to remove it. Here is the ad below.

I'm sorry you got scammed. Honestly, I can't tell u anything personally about Franz or maria. maybe some others here can. I do know this whole situation is unfortunate and i'm sorry u lost ur money. If you can do anything to find out who is collecting this money....good on u. stick it too them.