How Jobseekers Get Scammed By Conmen – Survey
According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, the employment rate in Kenya is 6.6%. (KNBS).
This has heightened the desperation of Kenyans looking for work.
A survey conducted by AFP Fact Check revealed the various methods used by online scammers to defraud unsuspecting job seekers.
According to the survey, these scammers not only prey on Kenyans, but also on other desperate unemployed individuals across the continent, luring them with lucrative job offers that are difficult to refuse.
Job Mwangi, one of those interviewed, shared his experience looking for work through online ads and links. Mwangi allegedly passed all of the required tests for a position as a field assistant with the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP).
“Everything about the job posting seemed legit. I was asked to pay Ksh1,000 for medical and radiology tests.
“But the test didn’t happen since I was told that they would be done at the UN offices on the interview day,” Mwangi explained.
After losing his money, Mwangi, along with other unsuspecting job seekers, went to the UN offices for clarification, only to discover that they had been duped.
Mwangi is one of many Kenyans who send money without hesitation in the hope that it will help them land life-changing opportunities.
According to the survey, online scammers use links and advertisements to trick unsuspecting individuals into providing personal information that is later used to swindle them.
Another trick used by fraudsters is to promise ‘easy and quick’ money. This is a common ruse that has drawn the attention of UN agencies, who have warned people to be on high alert.
“The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, processing, training) or other fees, or request information on applicants’ bank accounts,” UNEP stated on its website.
Furthermore, the scammers use the logos of reputable companies to increase their credibility and dispel doubt in the minds of those looking for work.
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The fake job postings follow a similar pattern, according to AFP Fact Check. They have tight deadlines, high salaries, and frequently include a link to an external online platform that requests personal information.
In 2019, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) urged Kenyans to be cautious and avoid transacting with any organizations via the internet.
How Jobseekers Get Scammed By Conmen – Survey
