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Fraudsters impersonate legitimate employers, demand upfront application fees, harvest personal data and then disappear, leaving victims unable to recover their funds or protect their identities. Some go further by selling stolen data on underground markets.

To counter this crisis, leading job platforms, recruitment sites and government agencies have introduced rigorous verification steps. Employers must now provide corporate registration papers, valid tax identification and proof of a physical office before any vacancy is published.

These reforms aim to safeguard applicants and restore confidence in online recruitment.

• Scale and mechanics of the fraud

Scammers build near-perfect replicas of reputable companies’ career portals and post enticing roles on popular sites. Applicants are told to pay for work permit processing, background checks or training materials before interviews.

Once the fee is paid and documents submitted, the fraudsters sever contact. In many cases, harvested personal data is traded to other criminal networks, amplifying the damage.

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• Industry shift to pre-listing vetting

From early 2025, major job boards rolled out Know Your Employer protocols. Recruiters must upload incorporation certificates, tax clearance letters and utility bills showing their office address.

Automated checks verify phone numbers and email domains against official records. Listings that promise guaranteed placement, offer salaries far above market rates or originate from generic email providers are flagged for manual review.

• Government and regulatory action

The Ministry of Labour and Employment now manages a Verified Vacancy Registry. Employers register each opening through a secure portal, receive a unique confirmation code and display it alongside every listing. The ministry’s consumer protection unit investigates reports within two days and can order the removal of any ad deemed fraudulent or unverified.

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• Advice for job seekers

Even with these measures, fraudsters evolve their tactics by forging documents or setting up shell companies. Job seekers should consult the Verified Vacancy Registry, confirm recruiter details on official corporate websites and never pay fees before signing a contract on company letterhead.

Enabling two factor authentication for all communications and immediately reporting suspicious listings helps the entire community stay protected.

By combining stringent platform checks, regulatory oversight and applicant education, Nigeria’s recruitment ecosystem is taking decisive steps to eliminate job-ad scams and protect the hundreds of thousands who search for work online each month.

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