This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/london/7615993.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
2012 'scam' dupes foreign workers 2012 'scam' dupes foreign workers
(about 4 hours later)
Hundreds of eastern European workers have been duped in a scam promising non-existent jobs at the London 2012 Olympic site, BBC London has found.Hundreds of eastern European workers have been duped in a scam promising non-existent jobs at the London 2012 Olympic site, BBC London has found.
An investigation revealed that 550 Slovakians handed over cash deposits of £600 to convicted fraudster Nigel Lewis, who is based in east London.An investigation revealed that 550 Slovakians handed over cash deposits of £600 to convicted fraudster Nigel Lewis, who is based in east London.
The workers were promised accommodation on a cruise ship in Docklands and jobs on the site of the Olympic Village.The workers were promised accommodation on a cruise ship in Docklands and jobs on the site of the Olympic Village.
Mr Lewis has insisted that he made no profit from his UK Cruise Line venture.Mr Lewis has insisted that he made no profit from his UK Cruise Line venture.
In a programme due to be aired on Monday, it is claimed Mr Lewis advertised for catering staff and tradesmen to work in east London.In a programme due to be aired on Monday, it is claimed Mr Lewis advertised for catering staff and tradesmen to work in east London.
Police inquiryPolice inquiry
After deposits were transferred to Mr Lewis's firm UK Cruise Line Ltd in 2006, it is claimed he vanished.After deposits were transferred to Mr Lewis's firm UK Cruise Line Ltd in 2006, it is claimed he vanished.
When tracked down by BBC London to a hotel in Dartford, Kent, on 1 September, he said: "I've worked on this project almost 12 months solid and I've got nothing for it, just heartache." When tracked down by BBC London to a hotel in Dartmouth, Devon, on 1 September, he said: "I've worked on this project almost 12 months solid and I've got nothing for it, just heartache."
He also said he had intended to buy three cruise ships and secure jobs at the Olympic site but that "it just went out of control".He also said he had intended to buy three cruise ships and secure jobs at the Olympic site but that "it just went out of control".
The programme claims that Mr Lewis was sentenced to 120 hours community service in 2003 for a similar job scam in Weymouth.The programme claims that Mr Lewis was sentenced to 120 hours community service in 2003 for a similar job scam in Weymouth.
Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell has vowed to work with police, who have been handed evidence collated by the programme-makers. He was really a perfectionist and he told me in detail how people will be accommodated on the cruise ships Irene Cepelova, Slovak recruitment agentOlympics Minister Tessa Jowell has vowed to work with police, who have been handed evidence collated by the programme-makers. He was really a perfectionist and he told me in detail how people will be accommodated on the cruise ships Irene Cepelova, Slovak recruitment agent
She said: "I am, of course, extremely concerned by these reports and thank the BBC for highlighting this case.She said: "I am, of course, extremely concerned by these reports and thank the BBC for highlighting this case.
"The government will work closely with the law enforcement agencies in their efforts both to investigate and take action in response to any crime that has occurred.""The government will work closely with the law enforcement agencies in their efforts both to investigate and take action in response to any crime that has occurred."
The investigation revealed some workers took out loans in the hope of securing work in the UK.The investigation revealed some workers took out loans in the hope of securing work in the UK.
Their applications were allegedly dealt with by an unwitting Slovak recruitment agent Irene Cepelova.Their applications were allegedly dealt with by an unwitting Slovak recruitment agent Irene Cepelova.
She told the BBC: "He (Lewis) was very enthusiastic about the whole idea of the Olympic Games.She told the BBC: "He (Lewis) was very enthusiastic about the whole idea of the Olympic Games.
"He was really a perfectionist and he told me in detail how people will be accommodated on the cruise ships.""He was really a perfectionist and he told me in detail how people will be accommodated on the cruise ships."
It is claimed Mr Lewis stopped communications with the agent in 2007 and any Slovaks who travelled to London found the UK CruiseLine offices deserted.It is claimed Mr Lewis stopped communications with the agent in 2007 and any Slovaks who travelled to London found the UK CruiseLine offices deserted.
The three cruise ships that were supposed to be moored at the King George V dock near Stratford had also gone, the BBC programme reveals.The three cruise ships that were supposed to be moored at the King George V dock near Stratford had also gone, the BBC programme reveals.