How the scam works
What happens
Scammers advertise attractive jobs, conduct informal interviews over WhatsApp, and then demand a registration, uniform, background-check, transport, or training fee. Legitimate employers do not normally require applicants to pay to obtain a job.
Example scenario
A recruiter offers a warehouse position and asks for R350 for a “mandatory security clearance”.Example wording is illustrative and may differ from real scam messages.
Warning signs
Red flags to look for
01
Guaranteed job without a formal interview
02
Communication only through WhatsApp
03
Payment requested before employment
04
Email address does not match the employer’s domain
Safer response
What to do next
01
Verify the vacancy on the employer’s official careers page
02
Call the employer using a published number
03
Never pay a recruitment fee
04
Search exact phrases from the advert online