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Almost got scammed by a fake job advert!

4 replies

Ghostlight23 · 05/09/2026 14:00

Just thought I would share this to hopefully avoid anyone getting scammed!
I'm at the very start of my job hunt, not even properly started applying yet. But someone posted on my local Facebook group about some flexible office work that sounded ideal. So I messaged just to ask for more information. I checked the profile beforehand and they didn't have many friends but had pictures of a normal looking woman and wasn't a new profile so thought ok.
Anyway, the first red flag was the job is only for people over 24 and they asked for my age. I thought that sounds dodgy!
So I asked what the company was, thinking it would be a local small business. They said I would be contacted by a HR company if I provide my details, which when I googled it, is was a company for working on private yachts in Dubai. Nothing to do with my local town! Another red flag.
So I asked for an email address so I could contact them directly rather than sending it via Facebook. They replied with a download link asking me to download a messaging service to my phone.
I told them I wasn't going to download anything! They then said my application wouldn't be taken further as I wasn't following the proper procedures.
I reported to Facebook and then they swore at me a lot 😂.

OP posts:
TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · 05/09/2026 14:09

I saw something yesterday on the BBCs website, I can't seem to do a link but search for 'Job seekers warned over online interview and recruitment scams'

Almost got scammed by a fake job advert!
Ghostlight23 · 05/09/2026 14:45

@TwoLeftSocksWithHoles yes I'd already read that! Which is why I was on quite high alert anyway.

OP posts:
Mmhmmn · 06/09/2026 09:55

Good thst you posted about this.

Don’t go through Facebook for stuff like this.Jobs, buying/selling stuff, pets. It really isn’t worth the risk. Social media is full of time wasters, bullshitters and as you found out, con artists. Stick to official recruitment websites and channels.

Changingplace · 06/09/2026 09:58

Glad you realised this was dodgy, it’s awful that people trying to find work are being targeted by scammers like this.

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