Trinidad and Tobago Gas and Oil Exploration project

I received e-mail from Clyde Weatherland Chambers,

Please see below:

"Attention sir,

Believing all communications with your employer in relation to your contract registration process with the Trinidad and Tobago Ministry of Labour were relaid to you as supposed, we write to update you further on the present status of this case which requires your kind understanding and urgent cooperation.

With due confirmation of your contract with the Berens Energy Ltd. T&T, your attention is required in the fulfillment of the requisites as listed in our attached client legal agreement letter to effect the contract registration/endorsement formalities with the ministry. This process includes your appointment documentations Notary Legalization and further registration with the Trinidad and Tobago Ministry of Labour - National Employment Service (TTMLNES). Please sign and return the attached legal agreement draft with the rest of the listed documents therein and the registration processing costs.

Be informed that Clyde Weatherhead Chambers can only proceed on this case as your legal representative in Trinidad and Tobago, on your provision of these documents and the processing cost of (Trinidad and Tobago Dollar) TTD$5,504 (Details in the legal agreement) which is equivalent to USD$887.00 at the standard exchange rate of TTD6.2 to USD1.00.

Your application shall be submitted directly to the National Employment Service department in the Ministry, for a swift process based on our official relationship with the office. This process will be completed in not later than five working days from the date of application as we had assured your employer.

IMPORTANT NOTICE - Contracts registrations with the TTMLNES are necessary to validate applications for foreign expatriates/workers work permit or any other labour related certifications. Our firm will be able to represent you as our international client in all legal matters involved in your contract with your employer (Berens Energy Ltd.) and complete the accreditation processes with the respective body in the Ministry of labour based on the above stated fee for our consultation and services.

Kindly notify us when you have the fund ready for the means of payment, while you submit the signed agreement and the rest of the application materials ASAP.

Anticipating your understanding and urgent cooperation with thanks.

Sincerely,

Hamza Clyde Esq.
Clyde Weatherland Chambers
____________________________________________________________________________________________


CC:
Berens Energy Ltd.
Mr. Anil Barath
Human Resources Dept.
[email protected]"

No. 1/5 Centenary Street Telephone: 868-461-1859
Tunapuna Fax: 868-739-7517
Trinidad and Tobago E-mail: [email protected]
RE: LEGAL CONTRACT AGREEMENT.
You agree to retain Clyde Weatherhead Chambers, to be your law firm and represent you in all legal actions involved in your employment with Berens Energy Limited and contract registration/endorsement with the Ministry of Labour in Trinidad and Tobago and you agree to the following terms:
1: Our consultation/services fee is TTD3,154.00, which consists bills for all time spent on your case including conferences, telephone calls, electronic communication, application preparation, document drafting, correspondence and pleadings, negotiations, legal research, travel to and from locations away from our office and for any other services necessary in your representation. TIME IS BILLED IN QUARTERS OF AN HOUR; that is, the minimum amount of time you are billed for any activity on your case is one-quarter (1/4) of an hour.
2: You agree to provide the finance to meet your registration application processing with the Labour Ministry which hereto is referred as - The application processing costs and has been estimated to the amount of TTD2,350.00. This amount fully covers your Documents Notary Public Endorsement and accreditation with the Trinidad and Tobago Ministry of Labour - National Employment Service (TTMLNES). This estimate is based on the time/period of application and is subject to change with time.
3: The following documents required for your registration application must be returned with the copy of this agreement duly signed and the fees mentioned above which sums to the amount of TTD$5,504.00 (Suitable means of payment will be advised upon request):
Documents Required:
- Your Employment letter and contract agreement document with your employer in Trinidad and Tobago duly signed by all parties involved.
- Your Birth Certificate.
- Your national identification document e.g. National ID, Driver's License or Passport.
- Your acquired educational/other career certificates and;
- Your updated CV.
(These documents may be provided through email scanned attachment)
4: Your cooperation is very important. You must inform us immediately of any change of address, telephone number or circumstances. Full disclosure of all facts is essential to enable us to represent you properly. You must promptly provide the total costs and return all papers required as we have the right to withdraw from your case on your failure to meet this term.

5: You agree that we have made no guarantee regarding the outcome or further developments of any part of your case. We have or will give you our opinion as to your chances of success based on my knowledge and experience, but there are no guarantees as to how your case will turn out.
6: At our discretion, we have the right to withdraw from your case if you have misrepresented or failed to disclose material facts to us, if you fail to follow our advice, if you fail to pay our fees in a timely manner or for any other reason. Likewise, you may discharge us at any time for any reason. You will be required to pay for the time expended to turn over the file(s) and other information to you or substitute counsel and for the time and costs if we must proceed to court to obtain permission to withdraw. In any of these events, you will execute such necessary documents as will permit us to withdraw.
7: The court may order your employer to pay or refund part or all of your attorney's fees and case proceeding costs. Such awards are totally unpredictable. You will remain totally responsible for payment of all fees and costs. Any amount received from a third party as the result of a court order will be credited to your account or refunded to you if original cost had already been fully met.
8: No settlement will be made in your case without your approval.
9: You are, by signing below, agreeing that you have read this contract carefully and understood terms set therein.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
Hamza Clyde, Esq.
Clyde Weatherhead Chambers
_______________________________________ (Date) _______________________
Client's signature
Name: _______________________________________________________________
(Full name as stated on your Identification document)

[Michelle]

Welcome to Scamwarners - Kai

This is scam and the giveaway is the e-mail address ([email protected])

A legislator.com address is a free and disposable account provided by mail.com. No reputable company or organisation would ever use one.

Looking at the CC:

CC:
Berens Energy Ltd.
Mr. Anil Barath
Human Resources Dept.
[email protected]"

Looks like you have a fake website there.

Recruiting international employees, with a 1 month old domain that is only registered for a year?

Domain Name.......... berensel.com
Creation Date........ 2012-12-05 Registration Date.... 2012-12-05
Expiry Date.......... 2013-12-05 Tracking Number...... 1764136609_DOMAIN_COM-VRSN
Organisation Name.... Shaila Jones
Organisation Address. PO Box 61359
Organisation Address.
Organisation Address.
Organisation Address. Sunnyvale
Organisation Address. 94088
Organisation Address. CA
Organisation Address. US

Admin Name........... Admin PrivateRegContact
Admin Address........ PO Box 61359
Admin Address........ registered post accepted only
Admin Address........
Admin Address. Sunnyvale
Admin Address........ 94088
Admin Address........ CA
Admin Address........ US
Admin Email.......... [email protected]
Admin Phone.......... +1.5105952002
Admin Fax............

The scam is still active, here is an example of a recent email by the scammers:

Dear XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX,

We acknowledge receipt of your attached endorsed contract agreement draft which officially confirms your acceptance of this appointment, fully effecting the terms of the agreement and the employment processes in seeing to your timely arrival to Trinidad and Tobago for your appointment. Copies of these documents as printed have been forwarded to the management for documentation and setting up of your data file as our confirmed candidate for your designated office in this project.

In accordance with the Trinidad and Tobago Industrial Relations Act (IRA), 1972 for governmental recognition of foreign expatriates' job contracts, you are required to contact the below addressed legal office for assistance in registering your contract with our company with the Trinidad and Tobago Labour Ministry. This registration is necessary for the affirmation of your appointment contract with Berens Energy Ltd. by the ministry and involvement of governmental official presence for legal reasons, also it effects the release of your appointment emoluments including your first month salary. This initiation legally protects the contractual rights of the foreign expatriate in this project, thereby ensuring a successful work relationship through the term of his/her contract with us.

Clyde Weatherhead Chambers;
No.5 Centenary Street
P.O.Box 5030
Tunapuna
Trinidad and Tobago
Email: [email protected]

Based on the agreement that the Berens Energy Ltd. management bears full responsibilities of the international employee's Trinidad and Tobago Immigration clearance; we request you to fill the attached Trinidad and Tobago Entry Visa application form in block letters and return immediately via email scanned attachment with your passport-size photograph that is not older than two months and Your valid International passport data page and other relevant pages. Please include the same documents for each of your family members accompanying you on this trip if any.

Do contact Clyde Weatherhead Chambers immediately and keep us updated for further advise. Please note we await your provision of the original copy of the contract registration Certificate and the above mention scanned documents to proceed on your Immigration clearance with the local immigration authorities here in Trinidad and Tobago. You may request the Clyde Weatherhead Chambers to send the certificate directly to our office on completing the registration processes, detailing them with our postal address enclosed in your appointment letter, to speed-up the process.

We thank you for your time as we look forward to receiving your updates.

Warm regards,

Mr. Anil Barath
Human Resources Dept.

Berens Energy Ltd T&T

There appears to be a Berens Energy Ltd in Calgary Canada, but they don't seem to operate in Trinidad & Tobago.