A job abroad can change a family's future, which is why scammers target people hoping for one. Knowing the warning signs can protect your money and your identity.
Common red flags
- The offer arrives without any interview or application from you
- Salary is unusually high for the role and experience
- You are asked to pay fees to a personal bank account or by mobile wallet
- Communication happens only through messaging apps, with no office address
- The contact pressures you to pay quickly 'before the quota closes'
- The email address is from a free provider but claims to represent a large company
How to verify an agency
Ask for the agency's licence number and check it with the relevant government authority in the country where it operates. Confirm the physical office address, phone numbers and website. Search the name online together with words like 'complaint' or 'scam'.
Verify the employer too
Ask for the employer's company name and licence details, and look for a matching website and contact details. Genuine employers can confirm that a recruiter is authorised to represent them.
Know the rules about fees
Rules on what recruiters may charge candidates differ by country and are often strictly regulated. In the UAE, charging jobseekers recruitment fees is restricted by law. Check the rules that apply to you with the relevant labour authority before you pay any amount.
Protect your documents
Share passport copies and certificates only with verified agencies, and never hand over original documents without a clear written reason and a receipt.
What to do if you suspect a scam
Stop communication, keep all messages and payment records, and report the matter to your local police or the relevant labour or recruitment authority.
