Scam Awareness Centre
Scam Awareness Centre
Every year, thousands of job seekers lose money to fraudulent recruitment scams when searching for work in the Middle East. Understanding how these scams operate can help you protect yourself, your money and your personal information. Always verify job offers, research employers and never feel pressured into making payments or sharing sensitive documents without proper checks.
Common scams to watch out for
Fake job offers from companies that are not actually hiring
Requests for recruitment or placement fees before a job is secured
Fake visa or work permit charges requested directly by recruiters
Fraudulent recruitment agencies operating without a valid licence
Employment contracts that differ from the original job offer
Fake company websites, emails and social media accounts impersonating genuine employers
Requests for passport copies or personal information before a job offer has been verified
Accommodation or travel scams asking for deposits before arrival
Promises of guaranteed jobs or "free visas" with no legitimate employer
WhatsApp and Telegram recruitment scams using unofficial accounts and poor-quality communications
Remember: A genuine employer will never guarantee a job in exchange for payment, and in most cases the employer — not the candidate — arranges and pays for the work visa. If an offer sounds too good to be true, take the time to verify it before proceeding.
