A man has been banned from running an employment agency for ten years after he ripped off job hunters who used his Internet-based operation.

Adrian Michael Farmer ran three Internet-based recruitment agencies - Overseas Recruitment Services Bureau, Recruitment Services International and Amtrak International Services) - from offices near Aberystwyth and Camarthen, offering job hunters work overseas and on cruise ships.

As part of the scam, punters had to cough up in advance to receive details of the jobs. Once they did, Mr Farmer stopped all contact and pocketed the cash.

The Department of Trade and Industry's (DTI's) Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate took action against Mr Farmer following complaints from peoplewho had lost money without finding any work. ®