• Pranksters post spoof advert for James Bond-style 'Target Elimination Specialist'
  • Applicants should be trained in using sniper rifles, mini-submarines and jet packs
  • Also an advantage to leave countries by non-conventional means
  • Salary for fake MI6 post 50,000-60,000 with mission-based bonuses
  • DWP spokeswoman confirms advert is a fake

By Adam Shergold

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Bosses at the Department for Work and Pensions were today left 'shaken and stirred' after pranksters posted a fake advert for a James Bond-esque 'Target Elimination Specialist' on their Jobcentre website.

The spoof recruitment ad appeared on the DirectGov site and stated that the successful applicant should be trained in using sniper rifles, be able to leave foreign countries by non-conventional means and assume new identities.

It added that candidates for the MI6 post should be willing to 'remove people' on behalf of the Government and would be equipped with special watches, jet packs and mini-submarines.

Enlarge   Spoof! The fake advert for an MI6 'Target Elimination Specialist' appeared on the DirectGov Jobs website on Friday afternoon

Spoof! The fake advert for an MI6 'Target Elimination Specialist' appeared on the DirectGov Jobs website on Friday afternoon

Enlarge   Hacked: The advert went on to state that successful candidates would be trained in the use of sniper rifles, mini-submarines and jet packs

Hacked: The advert went on to state that successful candidates would be trained in the use of sniper rifles, mini-submarines and jet packs

The original: Daniel Craig as James Bond, an expert in all the dark arts mentioned in the spoof recruitment advert

The original: Daniel Craig as James Bond, an expert in all the dark arts mentioned in the spoof recruitment advert

It stated the salary was between 50,000 and 60,000 a year - barely enough to maintain a James Bond-style lifestyle of Martinis, women and sports cars - though there would be performance bonuses 'on completion of missions.'

A spokeswoman for the DWP confirmed that a professional killer was not being sought - even though MI6 have started advertising job vacancies in national magazines - and that the tongue-in-cheek ad had been removed.

The vacancy read: 'From time to time the UK Government has a need to remove people whose continued existence poses a risk to the effective conduct of public order.

'So we require particularly skilled professionals who are prepared to work on a non-attributable basis to deal with these problems.

'The role will involve international travel to a number of countries where individuals need to be removed.'

It continues: 'The ideal candidate will need to have no particular distinguishing features so as to blend in and be able to take on new identities as required.

Target Elimination: The Department of Work and Pensions confirmed the advert was the work of hackers and had now been taken offline

Target Elimination: The Department of Work and Pensions confirmed the advert was the work of hackers and had now been taken offline

'They will need to be resourceful in finding ways to accomplish their missions and, in some cases, to leave foreign countries by non-conventional means.

'The role would suit candidates with prior military experience, particularly in the use of sniper rifles.'

It adds: 'The job holder will receive all necessary equipment, including passports, special watches, jet packs, mini-submarines and a Walther PPK.

'This role is particularly appropriate for those who like their martinis shaken and not stirred.

'To apply for this role, please express your interest somewhere in the vicinity of the large and rather fake-looking rock in Regent's Park.'

It then provided a contact email address as mi6recruitment@hotmail.com.

New workplace: The 'Target Elimination Specialist' would presumably work out of here, the MI6 HQ near Vauxhall Bridge

New workplace: The 'Target Elimination Specialist' would presumably work out of here, the MI6 HQ near Vauxhall Bridge

The DWP confirmed that an assassin wasn't being sought and that the advert was quickly removed.

A spokeswoman said: 'It is disappointing that somebody would want to post a fake advert when people are looking for real jobs. It has now been removed.'

MI6 have started advertising for spies in recent weeks in a number of national newspapers and magazines.

Their advert states cryptically: 'If the qualities that make a good spy were obvious, they wouldn't make a very good spy.'


 

The comments below have not been moderated.

And what about the overpaid overpensioned numpty who posted it? Typical of thick DWP jobsworths!!

Tells more about the calibre of the DWP employees than the prankster, trouble with the big word job description? . DM will shut down a post on this comment page in a heart beat if it runs counter to policy, maybe a temporary transfer agreement to help out? In the public interests of course

Actually, we could do with a domestic team of about a dozen of these. Definitely enough 'undesirables' to keep them gainfully employed for life. This being the UK, 2012, however, they'd no doubt have to provide their own bullets...

One Michael Ayoade, should be on the top of this hit list of undesirables.....

Full time eliminating undesirables in the UK .....plus overtime and weekends

Linked to this from an article about a 23 year old man that has bee abusing 8 year old girls since he was 12. Seems like this should be a real job.

Great ad I say. 'It is disappointing that somebody would want to post a fake advert when people are looking for real jobs' said a Spokeswoman, lol, find a real job, i.e pay on the job centre site, Anyway time for another martini.

Wait for the same job in the UK! Targets are closer, you will be able to work five days a week close to home, and there will be a performance bonus based on how much you save the government!

Soooooooooooooooooo!!!!! sad this is only a spoof!!!!!

Very well written! Absolutely hilarious!

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