PROJECT: EMPLOYMENT SCAMS

isabels39
Apr 28
7 min read

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As of the fourth quarter of 2024, South Africa's official unemployment rate stood at 31.9%, a slight decrease from 32.1% in the previous quarter. This marks the second consecutive quarterly decline and the lowest rate since the third quarter of 2023.

The number of employed individuals increased by 132,000, bringing the total to 17.1 million.

Job gains were noted in several sectors, including finance (adding 232,000 jobs), manufacturing (41,000),

private households (18,000), and transportation (17,000). Despite these improvements, the unemployment rate,

which includes discouraged job seekers and those not actively seeking employment, remained high at 41.9%.

Unemployed youth also remain a concern, with approximately 10.3 million individuals aged 15 to 24 not in employment, education, or training during the same period.

While the downward trend in unemployment is encouraging, the persistently high rates underscore the need for sustained economic reforms and job creation initiatives to address structural challenges in the labour market.

High unemployment in South Africa deepens poverty and desperation and fuels an increase in crime.

It creates a breeding ground for scams, particularly employment scams that exploit vulnerable individuals.

When people struggle to survive, they are more likely to fall for false promises of employment or quick money-making schemes. This makes the unemployed easy targets for fraudsters, further destabilising communities under economic pressure.

HOW TO IDENTIFY AN EMPLOYMENT SCAMMER:

REQUESTS FOR UPFRONT PAYMENTS:
- Scammers often ask for fees for "background checks," "training," "equipment," or "registration."
- Legitimate employers in South Africa do not charge job seekers to apply for or secure a position, as it is illegal under the Employment Services Act.
- Examples are a company asking for R500.00 for a "mandatory background check" before an interview; this is a red flag.
- Victims of fraud include those being asked to pay for non-existent services like training, background checks, or job placement.
- Another example might be a scam requiring a "refundable" R250.00 fee at a PEP store for a fake administrative job.
- Once paid, the scammer disappears.
UNREALISTIC EMPLOYMENT OFFERS:
- Promises of high salaries for low-skilled work or minimal effort are suspicious.
- For instance, an advert offering R50,000.00 per month for data entry with no experience is likely a scam.
- Jobs promising "fast money" or "work-from-home riches" often conceal pyramid schemes or fraudulent intentions.
VAGUE OR POORLY WRITTEN JOB ADVERTS:
- Legitimate job postings provide clear details about the role, company, and responsibilities required of those who intend to apply.
- Scam adverts often lack specific details and contain typing errors, grammatical errors, or overly casual language.
- An example is a posting for a "Business Developer" with only vague promises of "unlimited earning potential" – this is suspicious.
NO FORMAL INTERVIEW PROCESS:
- Immediate job offers without interviews or interviews conducted solely via text or non-professional platforms like WhatsApp are warning signs.
- Legitimate employers verify qualifications thoroughly.
SUSPICIOUS CONTACT METHODS:
- Scammers often use free email accounts (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo) instead of company domains, or they contact you via unsolicited messages on WhatsApp, Telegram, or SMS.
- Example: Job offers via WhatsApp without formal vetting after sending your CV are highly suspicious.
IMPERSONATION:
- Scammers use stolen logos, employee names, or job descriptions to mimic legitimate companies.
- Some create fake websites or social media profiles to appear credible.
LACK OF VERIFIABLE COMPANY INFORMATION:
- It is likely fake if the company has no website, no social media presence, or only a basic one-page site with no contact details.
- Legitimate companies have a clear and traceable online presence.
HIGH-PRESSURE TACTICS:
- Scammers create urgency to rush decisions, saying, "You have 24 hours to accept this offer."
- This prevents you from researching the opportunity.
REQUESTS FOR PERSONAL INFORMATION UPFRONT:
- Requesting sensitive details, such as ID numbers, bank account information, or proof of residence, before a formal offer has been made, is a warning sign of identity theft schemes.
- Legitimate employers collect such data only during the onboarding process.
DATA HARVESTING:
- Scammers request personal documents (CVs, ID copies, bank details) under the guise of hiring.
- This information is used for identity theft or sold on the black market.
FAKE INTERVIEWS OR TASKS:
- Some scams involve fake interviews at temporary offices or tasks like repackaging goods (e.g., reshipping scams).
- Victims may be asked to pay for "work materials" or incur costs, only to find that no job exists.
FAX OR SMS SCAMS:
- Scammers may ask job seekers to fax CVs to premium-rate numbers, racking up charges, or reply to SMS prompts like "Text JOB to this number" for fake interview offers.
PYRAMID SCHEMES:
- Some scams disguise themselves as work-from-home jobs but require recruiting others to earn money, with no real product or service involved.
- These scams collapse when recruitment slows, leaving victims with losses.
HUMAN TRAFFICKING RISKS:
- In extreme cases, scammers lure victims with overseas job promises (e.g., modelling contracts), and then exploit them for trafficking.
- These often target young adults.

THE GOALS OF JOB SCAMMERS:

FINANCIAL GAIN:
- The primary revenue source is collecting fees for fake training, equipment, or placement services.
- Victims lose money and have no employment in return.
IDENTITY THEFT:
- Personal information (ID number, bank details, address) is stolen to open fraudulent accounts, take loans, or commit other crimes.
FREE LABOUR OR RECRUITMENT:
- Some scams trick victims into performing unpaid tasks (e.g., reshipping stolen goods) or recruiting others into pyramid schemes, thereby benefiting the scammer at no cost.
HUMAN TRAFFICKING:
- In rare but severe cases, scammers aim to exploit vulnerable individuals by luring them into dangerous situations under false job pretences.
BUILDING TRUST FOR LARGER SCAMS:
- Some scammers pay small amounts initially (e.g., cryptocurrency for simple tasks) to gain trust, then escalate demands for larger payments or sensitive data.

PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES:

RESEARCH THE COMPANY:
- Verify the legitimacy of the company by checking its website, CIPC registration, and social media presence.
- Call the company directly using official contact details, not those provided in the advert.
- Look for reviews on platforms like Glassdoor or LinkedIn to confirm the reputation of the company.
NEVER PAY FOR A JOB:
- Refuse to pay fees for job applications, interviews, or training.
- Report such requests immediately, as they violate South African law.
PROTECT PERSONAL INFORMATION:
- Avoid sharing sensitive details (such as ID, bank account information, and proof of residence) until a formal job offer has been signed.
- Monitor accounts for suspicious activity if you have shared data.
USE TRUSTED PLATFORMS:
- Apply through reputable job portals like LinkedIn, Indeed, Careers24, or Pnet, which verify postings.
- Be cautious even on trusted sites, as scammers can infiltrate them.
VERIFY CONTACT DETAILS:
- Verify that the recruiter's email address uses the company's official domain (e.g., name@company.co.za, not name@gmail.com).
- Utilise tools like VerifyEmailAddress.org to verify email addresses.
BE SCEPTICAL OF UNSOLICITED OFFERS:
- Ignore unsolicited job offers via SMS, WhatsApp, or email.
- Legitimate recruiters rarely contact you without prior application.
AVOID HIGH-PRESSURE DECISIONS:
- Take the time to research a job offer thoroughly.
- Legitimate employers allow a reasonable amount of time to decide, not 24-hour ultimatums.
REPORT SCAMS:
- Report suspicious ads or contacts to the South African Police Service (SAPS) via 10111 or a local station, the Department of Employment and Labour, or the Southern African Fraud Prevention Service (SAFPS) at www.safps.org.za.
- To raise awareness, share experiences on social media or job forums to warn others.
SECURE YOUR ACCOUNTS:
- If you have engaged with a scammer, change your passwords, notify your bank, and monitor your credit reports.
- Consider a fraud alert on your credit file
EDUCATE YOURSELF:
- Stay informed about common scams through resources such as Job Mail, SAFPS, or reputable consumer protection sites.
- Awareness is your best defence.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

SCALE OF THE PROBLEM:
- South Africa's high unemployment rate (over 30%) creates a fertile ground for scammers, making job scams a widespread issue.
- They target vulnerable groups like the unemployed, graduates, and foreigners.
LEGAL PROTECTIONS:
- The Employment Services Act prohibits charging job seekers for employment services, giving citizens a legal basis to challenge such demands.
CRITICAL THINKING:
- Always question offers that seem too good to be true.
- Scammers exploit the trust, so scepticism can save you from financial or personal harm.

If you encounter a scam, act quickly to secure your information, contact your bank,

alert the authorities and contact Mr. Mike Bolhuis to prevent others from falling victim.

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Mike Bolhuis

Specialist Investigators into

Serious Violent, Serious Economic Crimes & Serious Cybercrimes

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