New Job Scam currently trending – Job Scam Alert Part II

“There are two ways to be fooled. One is to believe what isn't true; the other is to refuse to believe what is true.” ― Soren Kierkegaard.

Internet fraud is rampant, and scammers hunt and find an innovative way to dupe job seekers. The recent one being training in the UK/USA for a job in the UAE through an existing but fake website. Review these tips, so you can identify if the job offer is real or fake.

Clues:

1) A quick process with or without interview: The job offer process is rather quick, possibly with no face to face interview in the UAE or your home country. It would be best if you were screened through a proper interview process with qualifications suitable for the job. Then only a job offer could be considered.

If they let you know that your qualification and experience does not require the "interview and appointment" process, then it is a RED flag for sure. If the interview will take place online using an instant messaging service (with set up instructions) or telephone interview then beware as this is not the way an interview is conducted here.

2) The carrot: Training in the UK/USA/Australia...etc. while working in the UAE. Who would refuse to take a bite of this carrot?

3) The job offer is too good to be true. High salaries and unbelievable benefits.

4) Job description and qualifications: Designation/position is higher than the qualification. Certain professions or titles demand you to hold specific skills. Do you have the qualification required for the role offered? OR the qualification is so simple that every second person is suitable. Red flag if you were not asked for the years of education or experience or if the job description was not discussed.

5) An active website but very generic content just like their job description.

6) The telephone number: When you call the number no one will answer as the number is fake, just like the website.

7) If the email/offer letter contains spelling, capitalization, punctuation, or grammatical mistakes.

8) If the email/ offer letter does not include the company’s address and phone number or it does include a phone number or email but almost similar to the real company's phone number or email or is fake/created to scam job seekers.

FOLLOW THE 3 C’S – (look for) CLUES, CONTACT and CHECK THE COMPANY.

Target Candidate: Their target is you, especially if you are from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Burma...etc., and who is not a graduate/educated or is an unskilled and semi-skilled worker.

More tips: BEWARE if they ask you for ANY FEE whatsoever either to the fake employer or the travel company or the exchange or even to the government. The government departments/employers do not take cash or accept bank account transfer to a third party. Do not disclose your pin, any confidential information, or OTP to any third party. Do not share your passport copy or ID unless you are very sure about the company and the offer. Also, do not hand over your original attested degree to the fake employer.

Written by:

Nikhat Sardar Khan | Kochhar & Co Inc. Legal Consultants (Dubai Branch)