MONTREAL- A Montreal woman who found a job through the Emploi Quebec website said she's been stiffed –- she found on a job offered online, but was never paid for her work.

Annette Hollmann has filed a complaint with Employment Quebec and the provincial Labour Standards commission, and contacted On Your Side, claiming she wasn't paid after she replied to a listing on the Emploi Quebec website.

"I was given a job description: investigate this person and send me back a report by email and then we will send you a cheque in the mail for $50," said Hollman, adding that she never met the employers in person. "Everything was by email."

Hollmann says she did the work and filed a report, but didn't receive a cheque.

"I sent the report, and in two weeks time, I emailed back saying, 'Hey, where's my cheque?'"

Companies must follow labour standards: Emploi Quebec

Emploi Quebec acts as a liaison between employers and potential employees, said spokesperson Rychard Gagnon, adding that labour standards must be respected.

"Companies that post job listings have to follow all labour standards," said Gagnon.

If a job is posted but doesn't respect minimum wage, or the business number registered doesn't match the number in Quebec's business registry, the job offer is blocked unless the company makes the necessary changes.

The agency won't comment on Hollmann's case. Gagnon said that last year 335,000 jobs were posted -- and that 38 people filed complaints for a variety of reasons.

Labour commission investigating

Hollmann also filed a complaint with the Commission des normes du travail du Québec, provincial labour standards commission, which is investigating the case and has the power to obtain legally binding judgments.

Dalia Gesualdi-Fecteu, a lawyer with the standards agency, said she would not comment on Hollmann's case, but said companies face a long-term judgment.

"A judgment in Quebec, either against the company or the employer or against the director, is good for a ten-year period," said Gesualdi-Fecteu.

Employer has vanished

Hollmann said she has been left frustrated, because the person who posted the job listing has disappeared.

"I was annoyed. It's only $50, but I hate being cheated," said Hollmann.

CTV News was unable to track down the company listed in the business registry, and government agencies say they haven't found the employers either.