A recruiter contacts you about a “perfect opportunity”. Sounds great until things start to feel suspicious.
Have you noticed the increase in real-life stories from candidates who have been spammed and cheated by unscrupulous recruiters?
Just think about the infamous scam call centers operating out of Myanmar and Cambodia that we hear about almost every day.
It should come as no surprise to anyone that cheating candidates and desperate applicants have also become part of the dark side of the internet.
The dark side of recruitment: What you need to know
The common scams by these organized crime groups include offering remote work in exchange for upfront fees or crypto deposits; romance or investment scams; posing as government officials, police, or banks; and loan forgiveness or tax scams.
They are part of a widespread human trafficking and cybercrime network that has grown over the past few years.
Organized crime groups operate these centers, scam people worldwide, and exploit workers who are often forced to run the scams under horrific conditions.
Avoid the trap: How to spot a scammy recruiter
There are many great recruiters, but there are also dishonest ones who misrepresent roles, withhold job and client details, push you into jobs you don’t want, and use your resume details without permission.
Here are some specific behaviors shady recruiters often show:
- Vague job descriptions lacking details (such as no company name or salary range)
- Pressure to accept roles quickly
- Asking for sensitive info upfront (e.g., copy of ID/passport, personal address, current salary)
- Dodging questions about the client or compensation, claiming confidentiality
- Ghosting after collecting your resume or info
Recruiter red flags: What they don’t want you to know
Dishonest recruiters reach out to you and claim to represent a client they don’t actually have.
They convince candidates to share their resumes for an interesting job opportunity.
However, since there was never a real client or a genuine job, the resume is being circulated in the market with the statement that “their” candidate is actively looking for a new opportunity.
Using fake LinkedIn profiles to lure you in
Another common scam is that recruitment firms create fake LinkedIn profiles to build a network of connections (read: potential candidates).
The LinkedIn profile will feature a Western-sounding name and a photo sourced from a stock image website.
You can right-click on the photo, select “Search Google for Image,” to check if a photo is a stock image or has been used elsewhere online. It’s a very effective way to spot fake or recycled profile pictures, especially on LinkedIn, dating apps, or suspicious recruiter accounts.
This practice of creating fake personal LinkedIn profiles by recruiters is usually used by an agency or firm that has only Thai or Asian employees.
What bad recruiters won’t tell you (but should)
Good recruiters are open and willing to answer your questions.
In fact, you will not even have to ask because professional recruiters will provide this information as a way of introducing themselves and the job.
Just in case, you should ask these questions. Yes, interview the recruiter.
- Can you tell me who the client is, including industry and location?
- Why is this position open? How long has it been available?
- What is the salary range? Are there any benefits?
- How long have you worked with this client? Are you exclusively appointed by your client?
- Has your client paid a retainer/deposit upfront? Or are you only paid if they hire your candidate?
- Will my resume be shared with any of your other clients without my approval?
How to outsmart unethical recruiters
You can identify them before they get to you, of course, only if you know what to look for.
If the recruiter asks for your resume, give your personal email address, then request that they email you their contact details, including their company name, address, mobile number, and website.
If you get a call from someone claiming to be a recruiter, definitely take the time to listen and engage in conversation.
- Google the recruiter and their agency; check out their website.
- Check LinkedIn profiles, Glassdoor reviews, and Reddit posts.
- Call the recruitment firm or agency and ask for the recruiter who contacted you by phone or email.
Just because someone claims to be calling from a reputable recruitment firm doesn’t mean they truly are. Many mention a company name without revealing their own.
A shady recruiter might just give their company name and a mobile number instead of the official company phone number. If you don’t know the person already, this should raise a red flag.
A LinkedIn profile without a photograph, or possibly showing a logo or other image, might appear fake.
How to verify recruiters from Tom Sorensen NPAworldwide
At Tom Sorensen | NPAworldwide, we understand that candidates and job seekers need to be cautious when sharing their information online with anyone.
Here’s how you can verify that you’re working with a legitimate recruiter from our team:
