Dear Friends,
I have a strange situation that just arose, and would like to ask for information from you guys.

I am on my OPT which is about to expire in about 3 weeks. I have been contacted by an Indian from a staffing company from New Jersey called DataGroup Inc. They have asked me to move to NJ as soon as possible. And after my arrival there, they told me that they would train me for about 2-3 weeks on various IT related topics. They said they would provide me with lodging and fooding. I would have to share a room with 5 guys which I do not have a problem with as long as it is temporary.
Then after the training, they would put me in different interviews for different placements. I asked them how long it usually takes after the training for one to find a job, for which they replied, anywhere from 10 days to4-6 weeks.
They said they would sponsor my H1B as soon as I arrive in NJ.

For the mean-time I have been admitted in a grad school which starts on 3rd week of August. But grad school is not in my interest if I can get a job.

I am worried that a situation might occur where if I move to NJ as asked by the staffing people, and then not enroll in grad school, and then once in NJ, I find out that everything was a hoax. Then I would be left with no job, no school, no place to stay, and possibly out of status ( my ultimate fear right now).

So please let me know if there is anyone who has been or knows anyone who has gotten a job through similar experience.

I have to decide soon and would like to know from people who have heard about similar things to get a job before I make one.

Thank You very much in advance for your help.

Hurray
It seems the company you're talking about is a Placement firm. It(training a no experience candidate and marketing) used to be hot during bloom days but I am no expert on this in recent days. The firms do have right to sponsor you H1 and if they aren't asking any money for it they might be genuine.

But anything can go wrong and you don't want to take chances. My advise is that you should start your grad school. Most of them have Deferred payment program where you don't have to pay the whole tuition fees upfront, besides they even have refund options. When it is time to join the company, go there and experience it for a week or two. Since there will be people from that company with whom you will be sharing the room, you can ask their honest opinion too. If you are then placed on a job, then you can stop your graduate classes since you now have H1. Its not too much of a loss now that you have found a steady source of income.

When you can ride two horses in a chariot, don't choose a single one just coz it is faster.

Thanks a lot DWI. The company looks genuine.
It would be best if the company could look for a job for me and apply for H1B without me having to go through the training since my bachelor's degree is also IT.
But once I leave my apartment in the state I am in right now and move to NJ, then it will kind of be a mess once I come back to go to school in the state I am in right now. I will be going across (back and forth)the country with my luggage.
Anyway, the company does look genuine, and they have promised me to apply for my H1B. So do you think there's should be any problem?

Hurray
We'd be passing our suggestions based on the info you have provided. It should be you
who'd be making the best decision. If they aren't asking for any money upfront, it doesn't look like a scam. Maybe any sajhaites with similar problem would come forward to contradict the statement.

I still would suggest that don't give up everything yet. If I were you, I wouldn't terminate my lease with my current apartment and enroll in the college. On 3rd week of August I'd go to the work, like I am taking 2 weeks vacation from my college. Your roomates would then give you a better idea and you'd know for yourself too. Again, if it was a scam you have a place to go back. If not, you'll make enough money to offest the cost.

One final suggestion, why don't you call the, your would be roomates, coworkers before hand. That might help you make your decision. Trouble of finding their number would be less than trouble of actually going there and all.

Hope it works out fine.

Thanks for your information DWI.

About the money upfront. They told me that I would need to deposit $500 as a security deposit while signing my contract for a year. They said the money is refundable after a year. Since many of their associates before left them without being with them for a year as stated in the contract, they wanted to be sure that I would be with them for at least a year which I have no problem with as long as I have a job and a decent earning.

DWI and other sajhaites what do you think about this?

Hurray:
My ex-roomy had gone through the similar(may be the same) firm.I can explain you in detail if you want.
DP

DP. If you could provide me with info, that would be really really helpful. I am having to make a quick decision while trusting someone(the firm) not knowing if I am going to get screwed at the end.
Thanks.

The firm's name is DataGroupInc

www.datagroupinc.net

Hurray:
I can tell you everything in detail.May be give you my friend's contact info so that you can talk to him directly.Give me a call at 316-393-3743.
DP.

Thanks everyone for your help.