Ongoing Scam Using Express Recruitment’s Identity
We are issuing an urgent update regarding a sophisticated and ongoing fraud targeting jobseekers and damaging the reputation of our business Express Recruitment.
For several months, criminals have been impersonating our business by using our company name, registration number, address and branding. They have produced fake websites, job contracts, forged signatures and even fraudulent passports to appear legitimate. Victims are being contacted directly and asked to pay large sums of money in exchange for so called visa sponsorship and guaranteed work in the UK.
We want to be absolutely clear: Express Recruitment does not operate outside the UK, we do not charge candidates under any circumstances and we are actively working with the police and Action Fraud to investigate these crimes.
How the Scam Works
- Victims, often based overseas, are approached with the promise of work in the UK.
- Fraudsters claim to represent Express Recruitment and demand payments of around £1,000 (approx. $1,200 / €1,100) in exchange for job placement and visa sponsorship.
- To date, at least £10,000 has been stolen from confirmed victims and based on the scale of reports, the real total could exceed £50,000 worldwide.
- The scammers are operating under the fake domain express-recruitment.uk.
- Victims are pressured into transferring money quickly, sometimes more than once and are sent forged contracts, emails, and ID documents to “prove” authenticity.
Known Suspects and Contact Details
We have evidence linking several individuals to this fraud. Please treat all contact from these names, emails and phone numbers as fraudulent:
Suspect 1
Name: Dmitry Kovalev
Phone: +44 07415160526
Gender: Male, brown hair, age 22–30
Suspect 2
Name: Seymon Miladov
Date of Birth: 16-06-1996
Phone: +44 07537103180
Gender: Male, brown hair, age 22–30
Suspect 3
Name: Alexey Smirnov
Phone: +44 07537183765
Gender: Male, black hair, age 22–30
Suspect 4
Name: Roman Klimov
Gender: Male, brown hair, age 22–30
Suspect 5
Name: Saavchenko Agapov
These names, numbers and emails are being used by fraudsters. Do not communicate with them or send money.
Key Facts About Recruitment in the UK
Our service is always free to candidates. If anyone asks you for money to secure a role with us, it is a scam.
It is illegal for recruitment agencies in the UK to charge fees to jobseekers. Visa costs for international hires are typically covered by the employer who sponsors them, not by the candidate. For official information, see: UK Government Skilled Worker Visa Costs. https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/how-much-it-costs
Express Recruitment only operates within the UK. We do not have offices, agents, or partners in Moldova, Eastern Europe, or any other country outside the UK. There is no hidden international branch of our business that work for “post soviet countries”.
What To Do If You Are Contacted
If you are approached by anyone claiming to be from Express Recruitment and asking for money:
1.) Do not pay anything. No genuine job or visa opportunity requires upfront fees from a candidate.
2.) Report it immediately to Action Fraud -They are aware of this case and have advised that victims must make their own reports to strengthen the investigation.
3.) Keep evidence. Save emails, contracts, texts, call recordings, and any other communications before reporting.
4.) Contact us directly via our official website: www.express-recruitment.co.uk. We can verify whether communication is genuine.
Our Ongoing Action
We are in direct contact with the police and Action Fraud. Evidence has already been submitted. This case is being treated as identity theft and large scale fraud. The domain express-recruitment.uk, used by the criminals, has been reported for takedown.
Date / Period
Event / Incident
Details / Evidence
Financial Impact
Early 2025
First reports of fraudulent job offers
Victims contacted via email and social media; scammers used Express Recruitment branding, fake contracts and forged director signatures
Unknown initial loss
March 2025
Scam domain express-recruitment.uk registered
N/A
April 2025
Victim 1 pays £1,000
Bank transfer (foreign account); copy of email and contract collected
£1,000
April–May 2025
5 more victims report similar scams
Evidence collected: emails, contracts, WhatsApp communications, call recordings
£5,000+
May 2025
Report filed with Action Fraud
N/A
Report re-filed with Action Fraud
May 2025
Suspect contact details identified
Names: Dmitry Kovalev, Seymon Miladov, Alexey Smirnov, Roman Klimov, Saavchenko Agapov; phone numbers and email gathered
N/A
June 2025
Victims begin arriving at Express Recruitment offices
Distressed individuals; evidence of forged contracts and passports
N/A
June 2025
Report re-filed with Action Fraud
N/A
July 2025
Total known losses confirmed
At least 15 victims, £10,000 confirmed; potential worldwide losses £50,000+
£10,000+
Ongoing
Investigation continues
Express Recruitment working with police and Action Fraud; dozens of forged documents collected
Potential losses unknown
Evidence types collected so far:
- Emails and text messages
- Fake contracts and offer letters
- Photos and call recordings
- Forged passports and ID copies
- Business cards and website screenshots
- Bank Details
Stay Vigilant
We urge jobseekers everywhere to remain cautious. If something feels wrong, it probably is. No legitimate UK recruitment agency will ever charge you for finding work.
To confirm any communication, always check our official website: https://www.express-recruitment.co.uk.
Ongoing Scam Using Express Recruitment’s Identity
We are issuing an urgent update regarding a sophisticated and ongoing fraud targeting jobseekers and damaging the reputation of our business Express Recruitment.
For several months, criminals have been impersonating our business by using our company name, registration number, address and branding. They have produced fake websites, job contracts, forged signatures and even fraudulent passports to appear legitimate. Victims are being contacted directly and asked to pay large sums of money in exchange for so called visa sponsorship and guaranteed work in the UK.
We want to be absolutely clear: Express Recruitment does not operate outside the UK, we do not charge candidates under any circumstances and we are actively working with the police and Action Fraud to investigate these crimes.
How the Scam Works
- Victims, often based overseas, are approached with the promise of work in the UK.
- Fraudsters claim to represent Express Recruitment and demand payments of around £1,000 (approx. $1,200 / €1,100) in exchange for job placement and visa sponsorship.
- To date, at least £10,000 has been stolen from confirmed victims and based on the scale of reports, the real total could exceed £50,000 worldwide.
- The scammers are operating under the fake domain express-recruitment.uk.
- Victims are pressured into transferring money quickly, sometimes more than once and are sent forged contracts, emails, and ID documents to “prove” authenticity.
Known Suspects and Contact Details
We have evidence linking several individuals to this fraud. Please treat all contact from these names, emails and phone numbers as fraudulent:
Suspect 1
Name: Dmitry Kovalev
Phone: +44 07415160526
Gender: Male, brown hair, age 22–30
Suspect 2
Name: Seymon Miladov
Date of Birth: 16-06-1996
Phone: +44 07537103180
Gender: Male, brown hair, age 22–30
Suspect 3
Name: Alexey Smirnov
Phone: +44 07537183765
Gender: Male, black hair, age 22–30
Suspect 4
Name: Roman Klimov
Gender: Male, brown hair, age 22–30
Suspect 5
Name: Saavchenko Agapov
These names, numbers and emails are being used by fraudsters. Do not communicate with them or send money.
Key Facts About Recruitment in the UK
Our service is always free to candidates. If anyone asks you for money to secure a role with us, it is a scam.
It is illegal for recruitment agencies in the UK to charge fees to jobseekers. Visa costs for international hires are typically covered by the employer who sponsors them, not by the candidate. For official information, see: UK Government Skilled Worker Visa Costs. https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/how-much-it-costs
Express Recruitment only operates within the UK. We do not have offices, agents, or partners in Moldova, Eastern Europe, or any other country outside the UK. There is no hidden international branch of our business that work for “post soviet countries”.
What To Do If You Are Contacted
If you are approached by anyone claiming to be from Express Recruitment and asking for money:
1.) Do not pay anything. No genuine job or visa opportunity requires upfront fees from a candidate.
2.) Report it immediately to Action Fraud -They are aware of this case and have advised that victims must make their own reports to strengthen the investigation.
3.) Keep evidence. Save emails, contracts, texts, call recordings, and any other communications before reporting.
4.) Contact us directly via our official website: www.express-recruitment.co.uk. We can verify whether communication is genuine.
Our Ongoing Action
We are in direct contact with the police and Action Fraud. Evidence has already been submitted. This case is being treated as identity theft and large scale fraud. The domain express-recruitment.uk, used by the criminals, has been reported for takedown.
| Date / Period | Event / Incident | Details / Evidence | Financial Impact |
| Early 2025 | First reports of fraudulent job offers | Victims contacted via email and social media; scammers used Express Recruitment branding, fake contracts and forged director signatures | Unknown initial loss |
| March 2025 | Scam domain express-recruitment.uk registered | N/A | |
| April 2025 | Victim 1 pays £1,000 | Bank transfer (foreign account); copy of email and contract collected | £1,000 |
| April–May 2025 | 5 more victims report similar scams | Evidence collected: emails, contracts, WhatsApp communications, call recordings | £5,000+ |
| May 2025 | Report filed with Action Fraud | N/A | Report re-filed with Action Fraud |
| May 2025 | Suspect contact details identified | Names: Dmitry Kovalev, Seymon Miladov, Alexey Smirnov, Roman Klimov, Saavchenko Agapov; phone numbers and email gathered | N/A |
| June 2025 | Victims begin arriving at Express Recruitment offices | Distressed individuals; evidence of forged contracts and passports | N/A |
| June 2025 | Report re-filed with Action Fraud | N/A | |
| July 2025 | Total known losses confirmed | At least 15 victims, £10,000 confirmed; potential worldwide losses £50,000+ | £10,000+ |
| Ongoing | Investigation continues | Express Recruitment working with police and Action Fraud; dozens of forged documents collected | Potential losses unknown |
Evidence types collected so far:
- Emails and text messages
- Fake contracts and offer letters
- Photos and call recordings
- Forged passports and ID copies
- Business cards and website screenshots
- Bank Details
Stay Vigilant
We urge jobseekers everywhere to remain cautious. If something feels wrong, it probably is. No legitimate UK recruitment agency will ever charge you for finding work.
To confirm any communication, always check our official website: https://www.express-recruitment.co.uk.