The New York State office of Attorney General Eric Schneiderman filed a lawsuit against New York City-based Delta Services Inc., its predecessor Ultimate Security Force Inc. aka U.S.F.; and their owner Jeffreys Paulino, for allegedly using fake job listings and false promises of employment to trick unemployed consumers into paying for security guard and other training courses.

The lawsuit seeks restitution for the consumers allegedly defrauded in the schemes, as well as injunctive relief prohibiting the companies from continuing such operations.

According to the attorney general, an undercover investigation found the company and its predecessor allegedly posted false job listings online and in newspapers offering high-paying security guard jobs. The lawsuit alleges that these advertisements were a ruse to sell high-priced security guard training and other courses.

The lawsuit also alleges the companies told consumers they had to complete a series of Safety and Health Administration training courses or security guard training courses before they could start working at the promised position, at a cost ranging from $199 to $499. However, OSHA training is not required to obtain such jobs and only one of the three courses in the security guard series is required to begin working as a security guard.

After consumers paid for and completed the training courses, the companies allegedly provided referrals rather than actual employment to graduates of the courses and the companies they were referred to had no knowledge of Delta or Ultimate Security, were not expecting the consumer for an interview, and were not actually hiring for any positions, according to the lawsuit.

“Unlicensed employment agencies cynically take advantage of vulnerable, unemployed New Yorkers searching to make a living,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “This office will not tolerate fraudulent, deceptive and illegal conduct of any kind, let alone against New York residents struggling to find work. We will seek the maximum penalties as well as restitution for defrauded consumers. I caution consumers to ask whether they are speaking with an employer or an employment agency when they respond to employment ads.”