Children’s hospice was victim of internet fraud

Rightstep internet recruitment, registered at Bertie Terrace in Warwick Place, was ordered into liquidation following an investigation by the Insolvency Service.

Its victims included a children’s hospice, from which it demanded payment while claiming to represent a legitimate publication.

Company Investigations supervisor Chris Mayhew said: “The action we have taken against this and several similar recruitment companies sends a clear message that the service is determined to clamp down on unscrupulous companies and to ensure those who run companies in this way do not get away with it.”

Rightstep internet recruitment, previously registered at Southam Road and with a business address in Oxford Street, Leamington, described itself as a recruitment specialist advertising the latest job opportunities at its website.

It made unsolicited contact with organisations that had recently placed advertisements with legitimate publications, and asked for payment from people who believed they were dealing with genuine advertisers.

The company had raised £13,670 by its unscrupulous activities. There is no evidence it had conducted a legitimate business.

The company was among 12 in the UK using similar practices that were closed down between June and September. Others included DTM Recruitment, based in Oxford Street, Leamington, Internet Recruitment and Networking Solutions Direct, both registered at the same address in Napton Road, Stockton.

The sole recorded director of Rightstep internet recruitment is William Morton and its secretary is a Stephen Richards. Mr Morton told the investigation that the company operated from his home address under the control of a Michael Smith, whom he knew as Mark Smith. Mr Morton was only able to provide a mobile phone number for Mr Smith, which did not work.

In ordering the company into liquidation last week, Mr Registrar Baister said the company was used for fraudulent purposes and had traded by making false and misleading statements and using objectionable practices.

He added: “There has been real loss caused by the company attempting to defraud on the back of publishers’ work on which the company has sought to ride. This fraudulent practice of itself merits winding up in the public interest.”

Mr Baister added that no records had been delivered up, and it had been made difficult to establish who was controlling the company.