Instances of fake job rackets offering lucrative jobs to trap Indian professionals have been happening for quite some time.
Types of Fake Job Offers
These fake job offers mainly include two types. One in which there is either no job and you are made to pay one fee after another like job application fee, visa processing fee, airfare charges, etc. endlessly for nothing… or the other type of offers wherein you are actually placed at a company in a country where you are made to work under inhumane conditions and promised remuneration is never given.
Though there are no specific countries when it come to later type of offers, scammers running fake job rackets in which you are actually placed, mostly provide jobs in either in Middle-Eastern Asian Countries or European Countries. Latest additions to list are South-Eastern Asian Countries like Thailand and Myanmar against which Ministry of External Affairs of the Govt. of India has warned about and issued advisory relating to.
Most targeted professionals with fake job scams though have been youths in IT, ITeS and Technology sectors, but not limited to them.
Following are some of the basic checks you can employ at your end to identity a fake job offer. However, please note that though these basic checks work most of the times, these alone do not guarantee that you will spot a fake offer as scammers with time are becoming seasoned to cheat job aspirants.
Basic Research to Spot Fake Job Offers in Foreign Countries
- Too good to be true. Greed is the best trap for these scammers. Salary and overall compensation offered in their offers are mostly such that you are caught in greed.
- Short deadline to apply. These job offers mostly rush you in applying and paying some nominal fee immediately so that you get invested. And then the cycle to bigger payments start.
- Vague or broad based job description. These job offers would mostly have requirement that most people would easily meet and ridiculously simple when seen in relation to salary at offer.
- Fake contact information. Except for email address (and most of the times non-company email addresses ending with @gmail, @yahoo, etc.), rest of the details are generally fake in these job offers. Obviously these scammers do not expect job aspirants to send someone over to the address displayed by them of call on international phone number.
- Inconclusive search results. It is pretty easy these day to set up a professionally looking website, but difficult when it comes to the rest. A successful business offering huge salary to expats will have more like employee reviews, business directory listings, etc.
Extended Investigation to Verify Genuineness of Foreign Job Offers
Though time consuming and difficult, investigate foreign job offers for genuineness thoroughly either yourself or by hiring an investigative agency specializing in matters like companies investigation with global presence.
- Check for advisories issued by MEA in past. Ministry of External Affairs in India issues advisories from time to time with regards to types of job related scams, countries where fake job offers originate from, specific companies that are blacklisted, specific individuals (promotors, directors, etc.) who are blacklisted, etc.
- Feedback from embassy of the country. Get in touch with the embassy of the country where this employer is check for their feedback in all possible aspects.
- Thorough research of the employer and it’s management. Do exhaustive research of the employer and it’s key management personnel for all aspects including any dubious activities and criminal involvement.
- Feedback from existing and past employees of the company. Research for feedback and if possible speak with some of existing and past employees of the company for feedback.
- Statutory and compliance details of the company. Ensure that company is legit and registered in the country for the field of work it has declared and fully compliant with local laws.
- Business fundamentals and financial condition of the company. Research financials of the company for at least past three years to ensure they are in sound financial condition and they have ability to pay and support your growth.
- Detail of court cases and legal proceedings. Find out details of all legal proceedings against a company before accepting job offers ranging into civil and criminal. Do check if promotors or directors of the company are not under bankruptcy.
- Physical presence of the establishment and locality detail. Find out where the office is and the standard of living you can expect. Research for detail of office facility where you will attend.
- Average salary offered by companies in the same segment by companies in same country. Another important point is to check for salaries competitors are offering for the same role to see how legit is your offer and negotiate if required.
Safeguards to take after accepting job offer
If all checks out and you decide to take up job offer, do ensure that the consultant or the company directly are following all processes related to employment and visa processing. Do not allow for any shortcuts and ensure that guidelines relating to employment in foreign country by the Ministry of External Affairs of the Govt. of India (MEA) and local guidelines for foreign professionals issued by the specific country are followed in letter and spirit.
