More than 1,500 misleading job postings have been removed from LinkedIn and Monster after a CBC News investigation found they were funnelling applicants to a U.S.-based multi-level marketing company. The ads, which promised remote work and salaries up to $75,000 US with no experience required, directed people to virtual information sessions for Evolution Travel, where they were asked to pay hundreds of dollars upfront and a monthly subscription fee. The job listings did not mention Evolution Travel or any sign-up costs. LinkedIn took down close to 900 related ads, and Monster removed 600, stating the postings violated their policies against misleading content and multi-level marketing opportunities.
"This is disgusting," said Jay Jones, a Chicago-based job listing investigator who reviewed the findings. "They catch you with the lure of the fake job. The money is great, [successful applicants] get to stay at home. You have to pay to get work, that's not how work works." The postings appeared under names like Wanderwell Collective, Professional Travel Hub and Sunkissed Getaways. Applicants were quickly sent automated emails inviting them to join information sessions run by individuals connected to Evolution Travel.
During the sessions, hosts described Evolution Travel and its partner Archer Travel Services as an international "home-based travel business" that trains members to book travel and earn commissions. The sessions focused exclusively on travel booking and did not disclose that Evolution Travel operates as a network marketing company, where members can earn money by recruiting others. A compensation plan on Evolution Travel’s website shows commissions and bonuses paid to recruiters, with membership tiers up to "8 Star Platinum" for recruiting 100,000 people. Session hosts also did not mention a hidden $50 annual fee in the independent contractor agreement. "[Fees are] not presented in the initial interaction," said William Kovacic, a former chairman and commissioner of the U.S. Federal Trade Commission. "It's shrouded in a way that's very important and would mislead users." Kovacic said the job posts were misleading and could invite enforcement action from the FTC or other agencies.
A representative from Evolution Travel who identified themselves only as chief operating officer told CBC the company has consistently told its independent agents not to post job ads on any platforms. Evolution Travel founder David McCovy did not respond to requests for comment. One independent agent linked to several of the travel businesses, Diedre Norton, denied being affiliated with Evolution Travel before hanging up on CBC News, despite online videos where McCovy praised her as a top performer and she said she had a network of 300 recruits. Vass Bednar, managing director of the Canadian Shield Institute, said such postings risk "eroding confidence, confidence in the self and confidence that there is, frankly, meaningful work out there for people that is worth pursuing." Evolution Travel does not operate in Canada, but CBC journalists still saw the job postings in their feeds and in emails from LinkedIn. The ads contained red flags, including companies with minimal online presence and nearly identical job descriptions across close to 1,500 postings. When a CBC journalist posing as an applicant asked an information session host about earning commissions from recruits, the host said it was not covered in the session and that the person who invited them would address it. Multi-level marketing companies are not illegal in Canada or the U.S., but they can face fines for deceptive practices. LinkedIn said the removed ads were "misleading and violated" company policy and that the companies behind them can no longer post jobs on the platform.