askST: How can you tell if a job listing is fake?

SINGAPORE – A Singapore-based company that allegedly advertised online for local jobs, only to later tell interviewees that they would be working full-time at a Cambodian resort instead,

is being probed by the police

.

Many people continue to fall for fake job listings as the factors enabling human trafficking, such as a shortage of jobs, continue to exist. This problem is exacerbated by scammers

using artificial intelligence tools

to lure victims.

So how can job seekers protect themselves from falling for scams when looking for work? Experts tell The Straits Times about some of the telltale signs of fake listings and offers.

What are some indications that a job listing is not bona fide?

Think twice before applying for a job if the listing provides vague job descriptions, or if an offer is made almost immediately and has to be accepted within a short period of time, said Ms Linda Teo, country manager of recruitment firm ManpowerGroup Singapore.

Another red flag is when a job offers a high salary yet requires minimal experience.

While these signs do not necessarily mean that a job listing is fake, job seekers should verify such opportunities first, she cautioned.

One should also be careful if a prospective employer is ambiguous about what the role requires or if the company does not verify key details in an applicant’s resume.

It is uncommon for employers to make a job offer without requesting supporting documents such as educational transcripts or certifications, even if a candidate is not asked for such files in the early parts of the hiring process, Ms Teo added.

“Also, legitimate employers typically do not require candidates to pay to secure a job,” she said.

How do I know if a company is legitimate?

Mr Alvin Aloysius Goh, chief executive of the Singapore Human Resources Institute, stressed the importance of researching prospective employers.

“Always check that the company is properly registered and verify the details provided,” he said.

In Singapore, such checks can be carried out through the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority’s Bizfile portal.

Ms Teo said that while smaller or newer companies may not have a digital footprint, or may have a limited one, most established ones in Singapore tend to have a presence online.

Mr Sunil Dutta, a senior principal consultant for human resources and business support at recruitment firm Robert Walters Singapore, said that this typically includes a functioning website, valid contact information and a presence on professional or industry platforms such as LinkedIn.

If a company does not have a website, it should raise serious questions about its legitimacy, he said, adding that if it lists incorrect contact information, then job seekers should be “mindful... if it is worth the risk to explore further and hand your career prospects over to such a company”.

Ms Teo said: “In a competitive job market, it’s understandable that job seekers may feel pressure to secure employment quickly.

“However, due diligence remains essential to protect oneself from potential scams or misleading opportunities that may exploit such anxieties.”

Is my employment contract with a company still legally binding if the company is involved in shady activities, or if I am asked to commit an offence?

Whether the contract is legally binding depends on multiple factors, Ms Teo said.

If the company is not legally registered, for example, the contract could be void because there may not be a valid legal entity to sign an agreement with.

If the contract was signed through fraudulent misrepresentation, where false statements were made that led to the signing, then it may be voided as well.

She advised job seekers to seek professional legal advice to understand their rights and options if they end up in such a situation.

Mr Dutta said employees do not need to do anything that is illegal, even if it is listed in their contracts.

What should I do if I find myself trapped in a scam centre overseas?

A spokesperson for the Global Anti-Scam Organisation (Gaso), a non-profit organisation that conducts rescue operations and educational outreach, said that phones in scam centres are often monitored.

One should always inform their family members where they are heading, including the address of the overseas location, and details such as the contact information of their recruiters.

Before going overseas, they should come up with code words and share them with their families to be used in emergency situations.

For example, family members can use such code words to verify that the person they are speaking to is the employee and not a trafficker using the employee’s phone. Code words can also be used to tell others that one is in distress, without arousing suspicion.

On Gaso’s website

, it states that victims should maintain a low profile at their workplaces and continue with their daily tasks as usual. This would reduce the chances of traffickers noticing anything amiss.

Victims are advised to share key information – such as a location pin, the company’s name and the building and room numbers, with their respective embassy or consulate in that country.

“Embassies can act faster if they have clear, short location data. Many rescues are delayed because victims send long, unclear accounts.”

Families of such trafficking victims should also not pay any ransoms, the spokesperson said.

“In most cases, traffickers take the money and continue selling the victim to another compound.”