How to spot fake jobs and recruitment scams in Kenya

Fake job adverts are a real problem in Kenya. Scammers know how hard the job market is and design offers to make people act fast and pay. The good news is that most scams share the same warning signs.

The golden rule

A genuine employer does not ask you to pay to be hired. Fees for application processing, interview booking, training, uniforms, medical tests at a specific clinic or "securing" your slot are the clearest sign of a scam. Monica never charges candidates to apply for any job.

Warning signs in the advert

• Pay that is far above the market for little experience, such as "KES 80,000 a month for data entry, no experience needed".
• No company name, or a well-known company's name with a free email address such as a Gmail or Yahoo account.
• Vague duties and very few requirements.
• Pressure to act now: "only 10 slots left", "report tomorrow with your fee".
• Contact only by WhatsApp or phone, with no official website or office address.
• Poor spelling and formatting in an advert claiming to be from a large organisation.

Warning signs during the process

• You are "shortlisted" for a job you never applied for.
• The interview is a group meeting where the talk turns to buying products or recruiting others.
• You are offered the job without any interview or checks.
• You are asked for your M-Pesa PIN, bank login or a one-time code. No employer ever needs these.
• You are asked to receive money into your account and forward it. This can involve you in fraud.

Overseas jobs: check the agency

Many scams promise jobs in the Gulf, Europe or North America. In Kenya, private agencies that recruit for jobs abroad must be registered with the National Employment Authority (NEA), which publishes a list of accredited agencies. Before paying anything or handing over your passport:

• Check that the agency appears on the NEA's current list.
• Visit their physical office and ask for the employer's name, the job contract and the visa type.
• Be wary of visit or tourist visas offered for work. Working on them is illegal and leaves you unprotected.
• Never surrender your passport to anyone other than an embassy or official immigration process.

How to check any employer

1. Search the company name with "scam" or "fraud" and read what comes up.
2. Find the official website independently, rather than through a link in the message, and check the careers page.
3. Call the company's main switchboard to confirm the vacancy and the recruiter's name.
4. Check that email addresses use the company's own domain.
5. For government jobs, check the official ministry, county or Public Service Commission website. Government recruitment does not involve paying agents.

If you have been targeted

• Stop all contact and do not send more money.
• If you paid through M-Pesa, call Safaricom customer care immediately to report the transaction.
• Report the matter at your nearest police station or to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
• If an overseas recruitment agency was involved, report it to the NEA.
• If you saw the advert on Monica, tell us through our contact page and we will remove it.

Being scammed is not a sign of foolishness. Scammers are skilled at pressure. Reporting helps protect the next person.