The United States of America’s Embassy in Samoa has contradicted claims by a local recruitment company, Beneficial Future for Samoa, which has been promising to arrange employment visas for Samoans seeking lucrative jobs in America. 

The Samoa Observer last week  revealed that a Beneficial Future client, Howard Seumanutafa,  had complained of being asked to pay an upfront visa processing fee of $350 for a job at a Hilton Hotel that the hotel group had told him was likely fraudulent. 

Beneficial Future for Samoa owner, Alo Faamanu Vaai had insisted the company could provide potential candidates with immigration rights for temporary employment opportunities. 

“The Embassy wishes to remind everyone that all Non-Immigrant Visa fees must be paid in person at the Embassy at the time of the visa interview, including visas for temporary employment in the United States,” the American Embassy at Apia said in a statement.

“Anyone that pays fees to a job recruiter does so at their own risk.”

When reached at his place of business on Tuesday Mr. Vaai declined to comment when approached by the Samoa Observer.

The Samoa Global News had previously reported that hundreds of young unemployed job seekers from as far away as Savaii had attended a Beneficial Future seminar in September, lured by the promise of jobs of up to USD$5000 including benefits. 

But the Samoa Observer revealed on Saturday that Hilton Hotels said it did not recognise Beneficial Future as a recruiter.

“The U.S. Embassy in Samoa is not able to confirm whether or not the recruiter is a bona fide agent or other type of representative for any entity assisting with employment in the United States,” the Embassy said in response to the story in the Samoa Observer

But the Embassy has also previously issued a statement distancing itself from the recruitment company:

When reached at his place of business on Tuesday Mr. Vaai declined to comment when approached by the Samoa Observer.

The Samoa Global News had previously reported that hundreds of young unemployed job seekers from as far away as Savaii had attended a Beneficial Future seminar in September, lured by the promise of jobs of up to USD$5000 at employers such as Hilton Hotels and Coca Cola. 

But the Samoa Observer revealed on Saturday that Hilton Hotels said it did not recognise Beneficial Future as a recruiter.

“The U.S. Embassy in Samoa is not able to confirm whether or not the recruiter is a bona fide agent or other type of representative for any entity assisting with employment in the United States,” the Embassy said in response to the story in the Samoa Observer.

But the Embassy has also previously issued a statement distancing itself from the recruitment

Company: “The U.S. Embassy in Apia is not in any shape or form working or coordinating with this organisation.”

A lawyer used to offer a contract to a potential client for Beneficial Future, Howard Seumanutafa, was not registered with the state Bar Association, where the purported job offer with the Hilton Hotel in Fort Worth, Texas. 

In a previous interview Mr. Vaai had refused to reveal the identities of the companies he claims are in charge of the visa handling process but stated that Beneficial Future was in a position to arrange visas and even pay for those unable to do so. 

Mr. Seumanutafa said he had chosen to speak out to warn others, especially those from rural areas to be sceptical of job claims that appear too good to be true.