Recruitment

What is an example of recruitment fraud?

Alex Walia

June 5, 2026

One Min Read

A common example of recruitment fraud in the UK is a fake job offer scam.

Example

You apply for a job online and receive an email claiming to be from a well-known company. The “recruiter” quickly offers you the job without a proper interview and asks you to pay money for:

• Visa processing
• Background checks
• Training materials
• Work equipment
• Administration fees

They may also ask for personal information such as your passport details, bank account information, or National Insurance number.

After you send the money or information, the recruiter disappears, and the job does not exist.

Warning signs of recruitment fraud

• Being offered a job without a genuine interview.
• Requests for upfront payments.
• Salary or benefits that seem unusually high.
• Emails sent from personal accounts rather than official company domains.
• Pressure to act quickly or keep the offer confidential.
• Poor spelling and grammar in communications.

UK-specific advice

In the UK, legitimate employers and recruitment agencies generally do not charge job seekers fees for finding permanent work. If you suspect a scam, you can report it to Action Fraud, the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime.