How to spot a fake job offer before it costs you

When you are applying widely, you expect messages from people you don't know. Scammers rely on that. Fake offers usually aim to take money, collect personal documents, or get you to move money for someone else.

• You are asked to pay — for training, equipment, a visa, a uniform or a “processing fee”. Real employers don't charge you to start.
• An offer arrives without a real interview, or after a short chat on a messaging app.
• The pay is far above normal for very simple work, such as “liking” videos or rating products.
• The recruiter uses a free email address or only a phone number, and the company has no website or a very new one.
• You are asked for bank login details, your IC or passport copy, or a selfie before any contract exists.
• There is heavy pressure to decide today.

Search the company name with words like “scam” or “review”. Look for a real website, a registered business, a LinkedIn page with genuine employees, and a careers page that lists the same role. If a recruiter says they are from a well-known company, contact that company through its official website rather than the details in the message.

Your resume needs your name, email, phone and city — not your IC number, date of birth or full home address. Only share identity documents after you have a written offer from a company you have verified, usually through its HR portal.

Stop replying, don't send money or documents, and keep screenshots. Report the post to the job site where you found it, and report fraud to the police. If you have already shared bank details, call your bank immediately.