How to spot recruitment scams in Nigeria
Check a recruiter, recognise suspicious payment requests and protect your information during a job search.
Slow down when an offer creates urgency
An unexpected job message is a reason to verify, not proof by itself that a job is genuine or fake. Be especially cautious when the sender promises unusually high pay for unclear work, says an offer expires immediately or refuses to explain the duties. Professional graphics and a familiar company name can be copied.
Keep the message and the job link. Compare the role with information on the employer's own website, reached independently rather than through the message. Contact the organisation using independently sourced details to ask whether the recruiter and vacancy are genuine. A listing on a job board is not a guarantee.
Separate verification from appearances
Check the email domain carefully for extra letters or a different ending. A company-domain address is useful evidence, but it is not conclusive; a personal email address alone does not prove fraud either. Look for consistency between the organisation, location, contact person and interview process.
Ask specific questions: Who is employing me? What work will I do? Where is it based? How is pay calculated? What are the stages before an offer? Evasive answers matter more than a polished logo. Search for complaints, but remember that a lack of complaints is not proof of safety.
Watch for money requests disguised as work
Pause if someone asks for a deposit to release earnings, a payment to secure an interview or a transfer to a personal account to guarantee employment. Do not move money through your account on behalf of a supposed employer or return part of a payment before you understand and independently verify the arrangement.
In task scams, an app may display earnings for simple online tasks and later require your own money to unlock them. A small initial payment does not establish legitimacy. Treat an on-screen balance as a claim, not money you have received. Do not send more money to recover an earlier payment.
Protect documents and verification codes
Share only the information needed for the current stage. A general application normally does not need bank-login details, a card PIN or an OTP. Enter an OTP only in the service where you personally requested it. Do not forward it to someone claiming to be a recruiter or support agent.
Before providing identity documents during a later check, verify the organisation, the purpose and the submission channel. Avoid posting documents in public groups. If you suspect a compromised account, change its password through the official service and review active sessions.
If something goes wrong
Stop the conversation and save evidence, including messages, URLs, dates and payment references. If you sent money, contact your bank or payment provider promptly through its official channel and ask what protective or recovery steps are available. Do not pay a stranger who promises guaranteed recovery.
Report a suspicious Fresh Naija Jobs listing through our Contact page with the listing link and a brief explanation. Do not include passwords or OTPs. Our direct applications use the platform's disclosed coin system; a platform charge is not a payment to an employer and never guarantees a job. External partner application links use no Fresh Naija Jobs coins. Verify any separate payment demand independently.