FlyItLikeARental is correct you MUST be careful with whom you do business with, and like most things in this business get the money first(or a least a good portion)before you go. So that is nothing new to anyone of us on this board.
I had no passport problems, I kept mine the entire time I was in E.G. and was asked for it two times only.......upon entering and exiting the place.
Anyway what I think for what it is worth is as follows, have all of your business together before you go off to work in another country, know all you can about the counrty and the people you are working for BEFORE you go....know who you are dealing with. I might be the only person on this board with an okay experience in the E.G.