50 firms issue warnings of fake job vacancies

KUALA LUMPUR: More than 50 companies globally have uploaded warnings on their websites about fake job vacancy scams.

In their postings, they gave details of how the scams are used for identity theft, as well as to cheat those seeking employment on the pretext of visa and permit charges.

Some of these companies had also put up warnings of scammers and their modus operandi of fooling their victims by promising them a job overseas with a lucrative salary, on popular recruitment sites.

Companies began sending out warnings in light of the growing number of job scams that allegedly required applicants to pay a fee, mainly for visas, insurance and work permits.

The United States’ leading conglomerate, General Electric (GE), in its disclosure noted that it had received complaints from victims who had filled fake GE application forms that carried the company’s logo in each and every documentation.

The scam extended right up to fake immigration work permits and online visa applications.

Surprisingly, syndicates responsible for the job scams and identity theft are fearless to the extent that they even dared to use the United Nations (UN) and the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) names in their illegal activities, to increase their credibility.

They also used mirror sites with fake websites and email domains to gain trust.

The UN has acknowledged that it was aware of the syndicate that had been using its name to deceive the public and collect payment, especially from those seeking job opportunities outside the country.

WHO stated that its logo and name were not only used by syndicates to deceive jobseekers, but also by businesses and organisations, which asked interested parties to pay a sum for participation in international conferences organised by the agency.

Petronas, on its website, said irresponsible parties were using its name to get advance payment from jobseekers and the public.

The government-linked company said the syndicate would require jobseekers to make advance payments, supposedly for processing immigration documents, visas and work permits.

The company also insisted that it had never imposed charges for hiring or immigration documentation, insurance or other purposes.

It said this rule also applied to agencies related to it.

Shell Malaysia also issued a similar warning about fake job vacancies that were advertised using personal email addresses instead of the company’s email.