Justice for Victims: How York-Based Investigators Help Secure Jail for Criminal Who Ran Jobseeker and DBS Scam

Imagine you’re looking for a new job. It can be a bit stressful, right? Trawling through websites, polishing your CV, and sending off applications. But then you get the call – you’ve got an interview! And even better, you get the job. It’s a massive relief. Now, picture finding out the whole thing was a lie, a cruel trick designed to steal your money. That’s exactly what happened to dozens of people across the country, who fell victim to a heartless jobseeker scam. But thanks to the hard work of investigators based in York, the criminal behind it is now in jail.

The job that never was

Between November 2014 and February 2016, a man named Ashton Kevin Fredrick Saunders ran a completely bogus recruitment service. He set up a fake company, NJP Recruitment Ltd, and started posting adverts for jobs that simply didn't exist. People who were unemployed and desperately looking for work would see these adverts and apply, full of hope. They’d send in their CVs and fill out detailed application forms, just like you would for any legitimate role. Some victims even went through telephone interviews, believing they were just one step away from starting a great new job.

The final, cruel twist came when they were told they’d been successful. Before they could start their new work, they were told they needed a DBS check, which is a criminal record check that some jobs require. The victims were directed to fake websites, run by associates of the scammer, and told to pay for the check. They were charged between £70 and £100, a lot more than a legitimate DBS check, which can cost as little as £21.50. This was the core of the scam. The money was taken, but for most, there was no check and certainly no job. It was a complete lie, designed by a cheat to prey on anyone looking for a job.

The devastating impact on victims

This wasn't just about losing money; this scam shattered people's hopes. The operation deliberately took advantage of people who were often out of work and in a vulnerable position. These victims weren't just robbed of their cash; they were robbed of a future they thought they had secured. The emotional fallout was immense. One man, who had been unemployed for months, was over the moon to have finally found work. He was then strung along with excuses and delays, only to discover the role was a complete fabrication. His hopes were built up and then crushed.

Another woman’s story is just heartbreaking. After being offered one of the fake jobs, she moved all the way from Shropshire to Leeds. Believing her new life was about to begin, she paid six months' rent in advance for a flat. Then, silence. The job never materialised, leaving her stranded in a new city with no income. This cruel scam left its victims in a terrible financial and emotional state, all because of one criminal and his greedy scheme.

The long arm of the law

Catching the person responsible wasn't easy. The investigation was handled by the National Trading Standards eCrime Team, which is hosted by City of York Council and North Yorkshire Council. These skilled investigators had a complicated case on their hands. They had to untangle a web of deception that involved analysing multiple bank accounts to follow the money. The criminal, Ashton Kevin Fredrick Saunders, was careful. He was laundering the money from the scam, moving nearly £18,000 of his victims' cash through his accounts to hide where it came from.

The investigation even went international. The eCrime Team discovered that funds were being transferred overseas to bank accounts in Thailand. To make things even more difficult, after being charged with the offence, Saunders failed to show up for court on 1 February 2017 and fled the country, heading to Thailand. But the investigators didn't give up. A warrant was issued for his arrest, and in August 2025, he was finally detained after being deported. The complex work of the eCrime Team proved that even sophisticated laundering schemes can be unravelled.

A 'cheat, liar and fraudster' faces justice

On 20 February 2026, at York Crown Court, Ashton Kevin Fredrick Saunders finally faced the consequences of his actions. He was sentenced to 14 months in jail for his role in the money laundering operation. The judge, HHJ Morris, didn't mince his words. He told Saunders directly: “You are a cheat, liar and fraudster, which will stick with you for the rest of your life.” When describing the fake recruitment service, the judge called it a “wicked scam targeting vulnerable people desperate for work”. The sentence was a victory for the dozens of victims and a testament to the persistence of the investigators who brought this criminal to justice.

Words from the experts

The case has drawn attention from senior figures who work to protect consumers. Lord Michael Bichard, the Chair of National Trading Standards, spoke about the real-world impact of this type of crime. He said: “This was a cruel and calculated scam that preyed on unsuspecting job seekers. Many of the victims were simply trying to find honest work so they could support themselves and their families, yet they were met with lies, false promises and financial loss. The emotional impact on these individuals who had their hopes raised and then shattered cannot be overstated.”

Closer to home, Cllr Jenny Kent from City of York Council also commented on the case, praising the local team. She said: “Looking for a new job is a stressful time for many – especially those who are unemployed. To build up hopes, take money and then crush people’s expectations is cruel and unlawful. Thanks to our investigative team’s tenacity, this case shows that we will not let ecriminals exploit people at a vulnerable time.” If you think you might have been targeted by a similar jobseeker scam, you can get help by calling the Citizens Advice consumer service helpline on 0808 223 1133.