Thread by @ConorGogarty

Recently I went undercover working at a door-to-door sales operation. I'd heard claims of exploitation and cult-like practices, so I got a job there to investigate

Wearing a hidden camera I gathered evidence of lies, pressure-selling and a network of linked offices around the UK

I worked at an office above a former Poundland in Cardiff. Two firms operated there, owned by men aged 22 and 25. I was trained to “trick” people in pitches for charity sign-ups, and advised to spend time with colleagues rather than family members after shifts.

I witnessed a series of lies told on doorsteps to get elderly people to sign up to direct debits to charities. One pensioner had to say no four times before a sales rep stopped persisting. There was also an attempt to sign up a woman who was clearly confused.

The job ad stated a minimum "salary" of £400 a week. Yet I worked three shifts — one 12 hours long — for £35 total.

I was told I wasn't entitled to a minimum wage because I was "self-employed". But an employment lawyer said our evidence pointed more to worker or employee status.

One of the charities, SOS Children's Villages, said it was "appalled" by the footage and would investigate every donation. The Fundraising Regulator told us it is assessing the evidence we have provided.

You can read our full investigation here walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-new…

We've also put together a mini-documentary on our findings. Here are the first couple of minutes. You can watch the rest at the top of this page: https://t.co/jx0r2XKRq9tinyurl.com/2cntdydx

The video can now be watched on Youtube as well. Includes a sales rep calling me a tomato.