Manpower takes your safety seriously during the recruitment process. Remember, Manpower does not charge candidates any fees and our recruiters’ messages will always contain their CEI number and our agency license number. When in doubt, it’s always best to contact the company the recruiter is claiming to be from via the official number/email.
Scam cases hit an eight-year high in 2023, with more than 46,000 scam cases reported in Singapore last year. Among the various types of scams, job scams were the top type of scams people in Singapore fell for, making up 21.3% of all scam types in 2023.
9,914 cases of job scams were reported last year, marking a 52.7% increase from 6,492 cases in 2022. Although the average amount lost per case has gone down, job scam victims lost more collectively, with the total amount rising 15.6%, to S$135.7 million compared to S$117.4 million in 2022.
In such a landscape where scams are rampant, how can jobseekers prevent themselves from falling victim?
What are job scams?
There are a variety of job scams. Some involve fake job ads found on social media and untrustworthy job portals where transferring a small sum of money is required to secure an interview. While others involve being asked to complete small tasks such as generating traction on social media content in exchange for attractive commissions.
Job scammers typically target people who are actively seeking work and would promise easy money or a great job with little effort, ask for upfront fees, or pressure individuals to share personal information such as bank account details or NRIC number.
Spot the Red Flags 🚩
To keep yourself safe while job hunting, ask yourself these questions to spot red flags of job scams:
If you answer ‘no’ to the following, it’s likely to be a job scam:
Did you find the job on a trustworthy job board?
Did you apply for the job?
Does the company have an official website or social media account?
Did the sender provide you with their agency’s license number and CEI number?
If you answer ‘yes’ to the following, it’s likely to be a job scam:
Is the job too good to be true? (E.g. high-paying, a low-effort job where no experience is required.)
Is the job description vague?
Is the sender asking for money?
Does the sender ask for personal information such as your mobile number, ID photo, or banking details?
Is the sender using a ‘no reply’ email or an email ending with @gmail.com/ @hotmail.com?
Are there multiple typos and grammatical errors in the job description/ email/ text messages?
Does the sender only want to communicate on platforms such as social media, WhatsApp, Telegram WeChat, etc?
Did an unknown number add you into a group chat on WhatsApp/Telegram/WeChat etc?
If you spot one or more of these red flags, there's a high chance that the person you’re in contact with is a job scammer. If you have doubts about the legitimacy of the recruiter reaching out to you, reach out to the company they’re claiming to be from through the company’s official number/email.
Take these steps to protect yourself from scams
By being cautious, you can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to a job scam. Here are some steps to take:
Research the company thoroughly check the company website for legitimacy, search for online reviews (be cautious of fake reviews) and verify their physical address if listed.
Check if the job is advertised on the recruitment agency/hiring company’s website
Be selective about job boards. While free reputable job boards exist, free platforms can attract scammers.
Don't share personal information prematurely. Never disclose your NRIC number, bank account details, or login credentials during the initial application stage.
Check if the sender’s CEI number and name are listed in the Ministry of Manpower’s EA Directory.
Manpower does not charge candidates any fees or request for personal information during the application process. We prioritize providing a safe and secure environment for your job search.
Manpower does not charge candidates any fees. We also do not request personal information such as NRIC number or bank account details during the application process. We only advertise on job boards, official social media accounts and our websites. We never send unsolicited text messages to candidates and do not use Telegram, WhatsApp, WeChat, etc. to reach out to candidates.
To ensure a smooth and transparent process, any communication from Manpower recruiters will always include their CEI number and our agency license number. You can also verify the sender’s identity using their Name/CEI number via the Ministry of Manpower’s Employment Agencies directory.
Your safety during the job search process is our priority. If you suspect you’ve been contacted by a scammer, please do not continue to respond to the sender and seek authorities if your personal details have been compromised.
How to report a job scam in Singapore 📞
If you suspect you've encountered a job scam, reporting it is crucial. Doing so helps protect your friends and family from falling victim to the same scheme and assists authorities in tracking down the perpetrators.
Here are some ways you can report job scams in Singapore:
Submit a report online at https://www.scamalert.sg/. The platform allows you to provide details about the scam, including the type of scam, the scammer’s contact information, a description of the scam attempt, and any screenshots or evidence you have.
Call the Anti-Scam Hotline at 1800-722-6688. This hotline is operated by the Singapore Police Force (SPF) and can provide guidance and advice on reporting scams.
If you believe you have suffered financial loss or the scam attempt was particularly serious, you can file a police report at any police station in Singapore.
Official Social Accounts
Manpower Singapore’s only official social media accounts are:
If you have been contacted by someone claiming to be a recruiter for Manpower Singapore, you can verify the person's identity by using the Ministry of Manpower EA Directoryor by contacting us at 6232 8811 / [email protected]