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International Coalition for British Reparations: People of the World, it's Time to get Paid.

Eastern Europeans Duped By Olympic Scam

09.15.2008

Looking for a job at the 2012 London Olympics? East Londoner Nigel Lewis will give you a fake one. BBC News reported that convicted fraudster, Nigel Lewis cheated hundreds of Slovaks out of £600 by promising caterers and tradesmen jobs at the 2012 London Olympics. Starting a venture called UK Cruise Line, Mr. Lewis planned to house the workers on cruise ships throughout their stint at the Olympics. Some were so enthusiastic about the work that they took out loans. Mr. Lewis, who was slapped on the wrist with 120 minutes of community service in 2003 for a similar scam, was tracked down by the BBC and had this to say: "I've worked on this project almost 12 months solid and I've got nothing for it, just heartache."

His plan was a meticulous one, according to Irene Cepelova, the Slovak recruiting agent who dealt the applications. "He was really a perfectionist and he told me in detail how people will be accommodated on the cruise ships," she said. Mr. Lewis' contact with the agent ceased in 2007 and any Slovak who visited the UK Cruise Line offices found them deserted. The three cruise ships that were supposed to house them had also vanished. Olympic authorities are working with police to investigate the matter.

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