Jobseekers in the UK are being warned about a surge in fake job advertisements, with scammers using platforms like LinkedIn to target vulnerable applicants. Writer Margo Gabriel, based in Portugal, recently encountered a suspicious recruiter on LinkedIn who claimed to represent a UK company hiring content writers. The offer included relocation and visa sponsorship, but the recruiter later revealed the job was in Saudi Arabia and became evasive about details. LinkedIn advised her to block the user, and she now believes she avoided a scam.
According to security firm NordLayer, nearly two-thirds of British users have been targeted by such scams. The fraudulent ads are not limited to LinkedIn; they also appear on other reputable job websites and are sent directly to university students via email. Recruitment consultant Jedrzej Pyzik of fTeam described a common tactic: victims receive a job offer with a link to a landing page that prompts them to download software and provide personal details. This data can then be used for identity theft or to open bank accounts fraudulently.
Another frequent scam is the advance fee fraud, where 'successful' applicants are asked to pay upfront for training, DBS checks, travel fees, or equipment, with a promise of reimbursement. The cheque provided to cover these costs eventually bounces. Students and new graduates are particularly at risk, as they may be less familiar with recruitment processes. Security firm Proofpoint has identified a series of scams targeting US university students, offering jobs in biosciences, healthcare, and biotechnology, with the aim of stealing money for computer equipment.
MediaSpark, a media buying agency, had its company details hijacked in a scam that targeted victims through popular job sites. CEO Mathew Georghiou discovered the fraud when job applicants sent their resumes directly to the company. Platforms are taking action: LinkedIn claims 99.3% of detected spam and scams are caught by automated defences, and 99.6% of fake accounts are blocked before members report them. The platform has introduced new safety features, including 'About this profile', which shows when a profile was created and last updated, and whether the member has verified a phone number or work email.
