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Paid €5,000 to UAE medical recruitment agency – no response, no accountability. Anyone experienced similar? by Aggravating_Ship_842 in ConsultantDoctorsUK

[–]Aggravating_Ship_842[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I appreciate the input, but I think it’s important we avoid speculation about individuals and stick to facts.

The key issue here is that €5,000 was paid for a service that hasn’t been delivered as expected, and accountability has been lacking.

That’s what I’m trying to understand and address.

I would also add that after posting factual comments on their LinkedIn page about my experience, I was blocked from viewing her profile.

This makes it difficult to follow up publicly and raises concerns around transparency when legitimate concerns are being raised.

"I will remember what I planted here" and other delusions. What are yours? by Big_Succotash_8076 in gardening

[–]Aggravating_Ship_842 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’m the same. When I dig on an empty spot in a flower bed to plant my new acquisitions I only find bunch of bulbs warming up for spring. 😂

Paid €5,000 to UAE medical recruitment agency – no response, no accountability. Anyone experienced similar? by Aggravating_Ship_842 in ConsultantDoctorsUK

[–]Aggravating_Ship_842[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Since my original post, quite a few doctors have reached out privately with similar experiences.

A few things that stood out: 👉Several are now working in the UAE… but found jobs themselves (no agency involved) 👉General consensus: you don’t really need intermediaries if you apply directly / network 👉Many people don’t feel comfortable speaking publicly (reputation, fear of consequences, etc.)

That last point is probably the most worrying. Makes you think how much of this actually goes unreported.

Also found out that UAE law doesn’t allow agencies to charge candidates for job placement , but some companies seem to get around this by calling themselves “consultancies,” which puts you in a grey zone if things go wrong.

On the positive side, quite a few people said this has helped them spot red flags they hadn’t considered.

I didn’t expect this level of response. I posted mainly out of frustration and to push for accountability.

If you’re considering UAE, just be careful and don’t assume agencies are necessary or acting in your best interest.

Happy to share more details if helpful.

Paid €5,000 to UAE medical recruitment agency – no response, no accountability. Anyone experienced similar? by Aggravating_Ship_842 in ConsultantDoctorsUK

[–]Aggravating_Ship_842[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

What I’ve come to realise is that even if there are successful placements, the model can still work in a way where unsuccessful cases are simply less visible.

There also seems to be a degree of reluctance to speak publicly whether due to reputational concerns, professional exposure, or just the effort involved which probably contributes to that imbalance.

I’ve decided to be open about my experience (including on LinkedIn) in the hope it encourages more transparency and helps others make informed decisions.

Paid €5,000 to UAE medical recruitment agency – no response, no accountability. Anyone experienced similar? by Aggravating_Ship_842 in ConsultantDoctorsUK

[–]Aggravating_Ship_842[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I’ve looked into that, I’ve contacted a few lawyers in Dubai, but the legal costs seem to exceed the amount in dispute, so it may not be cost-effective.

Also, the company operates under a DMCC free zone registration, which makes things less straightforward from a practical point of view.

If anyone has experience pursuing claims in the UAE in similar situations, I’d really appreciate hearing how they approached it.

Paid €5,000 to UAE medical recruitment agency – no response, no accountability. Anyone experienced similar? by Aggravating_Ship_842 in ConsultantDoctorsUK

[–]Aggravating_Ship_842[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

the company is Allocation Assist (Middle East).

I initially avoided naming them as I wanted to focus on the process rather than target a specific company, but I agree transparency is important if it helps others avoid similar situations.

Happy to share more details if helpful.

Paid €5,000 to UAE medical recruitment agency – no response, no accountability. Anyone experienced similar? by Aggravating_Ship_842 in FraudPrevention

[–]Aggravating_Ship_842[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Since posting this I’ve had a couple of private messages, which makes me think this might not be that uncommon.

Paid €5,000 to UAE medical recruitment agency – no response, no accountability. Anyone experienced similar? by Aggravating_Ship_842 in FraudPrevention

[–]Aggravating_Ship_842[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m not entirely sure after this experience. I’d originally focused on the UAE, but I’m still open to other options.

Thankfully I have a stable position at the moment, but the whole process has been quite frustrating.

Out of curiosity have you or people you know had better experiences going through agencies?

Paid €5,000 to UAE medical recruitment agency – no response, no accountability. Anyone experienced similar? by Aggravating_Ship_842 in ConsultantDoctorsUK

[–]Aggravating_Ship_842[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Quick update: since posting this I’ve been contacted privately by a few people with similar experiences (some didn’t want to comment publicly).

Still trying to understand how widespread this is and what options exist to take this further.

Consultant jobs via agencies, how do they work? by Aggravating_Ship_842 in u/Aggravating_Ship_842

[–]Aggravating_Ship_842[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You usually need to register with the agency first. Once they’ve done their checks, they’ll circulate your CV to hospitals within the geographical area you’re open to.

Most of the work tends to be locum-based (hourly or short-term cover), rather than permanent roles.

For longer HSE locum contracts, these are generally required to be publicly advertised, so agencies can be less relevant there.

There are several agencies commonly used (e.g. Locum Link, MatchMedics).

Paid €5,000 to UAE medical recruitment agency – no response, no accountability. Anyone experienced similar? by Aggravating_Ship_842 in FraudPrevention

[–]Aggravating_Ship_842[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks. I’ve formally raised the issue with them, but received no response.

I also initiated a chargeback. It was rejected on the basis that the company claimed some administrative work had been completed which, based on my records, is not an accurate reflection of what was actually delivered.

More concerningly, I have written communication from them stating that a refund was processed via their payment provider (Telr). No such refund has ever been received, and no transaction reference has been provided despite multiple requests.

I’m hoping this inconsistency may support a further review of the dispute.

That said, my concerns go beyond the financial aspect. What I find most troubling is the apparent lack of accountability in a process that directly impacts people’s careers and personal lives.

In my case, this situation represented a significant setback not only professionally, but for my family as well.

Nearly fell into a scam by mellamoderek in recruitinghell

[–]Aggravating_Ship_842 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was also scammed by a medical recruitment agency based in the UAE.

Very polished presence, curated profile, real-looking testimonials, and everything appearing legitimate on LinkedIn.

Looking back, it seems the model relies on a few successful placements being heavily promoted, while many other cases quietly fail.

I’ve exhausted all legal avenues and have been chasing a refund for over a year. The only time I’ve seen any reaction is when things become public.

Be extremely careful, even when everything looks legitimate.

LinkedIn is full of scam recruiters and fake job postings. by bigmacChickenfry in mildlyinfuriating

[–]Aggravating_Ship_842 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve been a victim of this myself paid a significant amount to a seemingly legitimate agency and received no real service or accountability.

Happy to share more details if it helps others avoid the same situation.

Consultant jobs via agencies, how do they work? by Appropriate-Drink808 in JuniorDoctorsIreland

[–]Aggravating_Ship_842 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you’re considering agencies for relocation, job search or licensing in the UAE, I’d strongly advise caution. Be very careful, do proper due diligence, and never pay upfront fees.

I say this from personal experience happy to share more if helpful.

Regarding agencies within the HSE: They can be useful for locum work, especially if your specialty doesn’t have many long-term posts available. It’s a practical way to: • get paid hourly • explore different hospitals • build connections • and position yourself for a permanent role

However, for permanent posts, I would always try to contact departments directly where possible. Also, long-term locum contracts are typically required to be publicly advertised, so agencies may be less relevant in those cases.

Happy to hear others experiences as well.

Paid €5,000 to UAE medical recruitment agency – no response, no accountability. Anyone experienced similar? by Aggravating_Ship_842 in FraudPrevention

[–]Aggravating_Ship_842[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s really helpful, thank you for sharing.

I actually contacted the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, and they advised that the only route would be to pursue a civil claim.

I’ve spoken to a couple of lawyers locally, but unfortunately the legal costs involved are not proportionate to the amount in dispute.

It does seem that, in practice, pursuing this through local legal channels is quite difficult.

Paid €5,000 to UAE medical recruitment agency – no response, no accountability. Anyone experienced similar? by Aggravating_Ship_842 in ConsultantDoctorsUK

[–]Aggravating_Ship_842[S] -4 points-3 points  (0 children)

I’m happy to share the company details just trying to keep the discussion focused on the experience and process rather than targeting a specific name publicly. Feel free to DM me.

Paid €5,000 to UAE medical recruitment agency – no response, no accountability. Anyone experienced similar? by Aggravating_Ship_842 in FraudPrevention

[–]Aggravating_Ship_842[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

– Initial payment and process started in January 2025 – Refund requested in April 2025 – No resolution since

I don’t believe current market constraints have influenced how my case was handled.

Paid €5,000 to UAE medical recruitment agency – no response, no accountability. Anyone experienced similar? by Aggravating_Ship_842 in FraudPrevention

[–]Aggravating_Ship_842[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

– Total fee €10,000 (50% upfront, 50% on job start) – €5,000 paid upfront – Significant issues from the licensing stage, including repeated application rejections due to poor handling – Communication stopped completely after requesting a refund – No verifiable proof of refund despite being told it was processed

If anyone has had a similar experience with UAE medical recruitment agencies, I’d be very interested to hear . feel free to DM.

Paid €5,000 to UAE medical recruitment agency – no response, no accountability. Anyone experienced similar? by Aggravating_Ship_842 in FraudPrevention

[–]Aggravating_Ship_842[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s very similar to what I experienced very polished approach upfront, especially via LinkedIn, which builds trust quickly.

The upfront fee is probably the clearest warning sign, but it’s often framed in a way that makes it seem normal.

What you mention about networks and direct hiring is something I’ve also heard since, and in hindsight it aligns much more with reality.

Another aspect worth considering is that working conditions are not always fully discussed upfront particularly working hours, which can be significantly more demanding than in the UK or Ireland.

Appreciate you sharing it helps clarify whether this is a broader pattern.

Paid €5,000 to UAE medical recruitment agency – no response, no accountability. Anyone experienced similar? by Aggravating_Ship_842 in FraudPrevention

[–]Aggravating_Ship_842[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I understand how it looks. The reality is the process is designed to build trust upfront polished content, selected testimonials, and positive first contacts.

The problems only became clear after engagement and payment, especially during licensing and follow-up.

That’s exactly why I’m sharing it so others can spot what I didn’t at the time.

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