This Fake Job Offer Almost Ruined His Life; How to Spot the Scam

“The job paid ₦40K a week, required no experience, and promised work-from-home flexibility. All they needed was her BVN.”

Sound familiar? Being tempted by a job offer that looked too good to be true is something all job seeing Nigerians have seen before so you’re not paranoid. From WhatsApp DMs to Instagram hiring posts and even legit-looking roles on platforms like ZipRecruiter, job scams are booming. And Gen Z and millennials are their favourite target.

The Rise of Scam-Recruiting

Over ₦40 billion has reportedly been lost to fake online job schemes in Nigeria over the past two years, prompting major job platforms and government agencies to introduce stricter vetting processes for new job ads. A growing number of victims were in their 20s and early 30s, aka people like you, trying to find a decent opportunity in a chaotic job market.

The schemes are evolving fast. They no longer come with broken English and shady Gmail addresses, or one random SMS from “Mr Tunde” saying you’ve been selected to work in a government office. Today’s scams use artificial intelligence to build entire fake websites, mimic hiring processes, schedule interviews, and even generate fake HR profiles on LinkedIn.

They know we’re looking so they are as cunning as ever.

How It’s Playing Out Locally

As much as it’s global dilemma, here in Nigeria, we’ve seen:

• WhatsApp broadcast messages for fake NGO or oil company roles
  
• Sketchy Instagram graphics advertising remote data entry jobs
  
• Strangers asking for “processing fees” for jobs that supposedly need “quick action”
  

And it works,  because we’re in a time where even “entry-level” jobs demand years of experience, and the internship pipeline has dried up. Social media feels like a lifeline. But sometimes it’s a noose in disguise.

Take Chidinma Eze, a millennial who applied for an office job with PepsiCo via ZipRecruiter. The job offered $44/hour. Seemed legit. But then came the requests: card details, address, even her BVN  and NIN. She complied, and only realized it was a scam when she spotted a suspicious grammar error in a follow-up email. By then, the damage had been done.

The Real Danger

You know what the worst part is? These scams don’t just steal money; they crush hope, kill dreams, and destroy trust. They demoralize people who thought they had finally caught their big break.

Imagine being scammed by a fake hiring manager using a real company name. Or attending a fake Zoom interview. Or paying for “training materials” that never arrive.

These scams prey on our ambition, our hustle, our need for something better.

“We’re a generation raised amid economic collapse, now chasing work on platforms designed for likes, not livelihoods,” said one young professional in a Teen Vogue interview. That line really hit deep.

It’s Not All Doom if You’re Smart About It

Here’s the good news though: Social media can still be a useful tool for job searching, if you know how to navigate it properly.

TikTok videos can give you a peek into different industries. Instagram lets you find and follow companies you admire. LinkedIn is still gold for networking. And platforms like Reddit? A goldmine for spotting red flags.

But you’ve got to move with sense.

How to Not Get Played: Your Scam-Spotting Checklist

• Unsolicited DMs or job offers via WhatsApp, Instagram, or text? Ignore them.
• Salaries that are outrageously high for little or no work? Instant red flag.
•  Anyone asking for money for forms, background checks, or training kits is a scammer.
• Grammatical errors, shady links, or vague job details? Trust your gut.
• No digital footprint? Check if the recruiter has a real LinkedIn presence and verify jobs on the company’s official site.

A specialist from a cybersecurity firm, Trend Micro , warns that scammers are even using AI-generated voices and deepfakes to impersonate people. So don’t just listen,  investigate.

Use Your Own Social Media  Smartly

You can also use your own online presence as leverage.

• Showcase your skills on LinkedIn with featured posts and project highlights.
  
• Reach out with smart cold messages to people in your desired field.
  
• Celebrate others, network genuinely, and focus on building credibility over chasing clout.
  

“Think about your ideal job and what you want to be known for, and just show up as that person,” said Upasna Gautam, a tech leader with 17 years’ experience. Solid advice that you should definitely take to heart.

Final Word

This job market is wild, and the hustle is real, but so are the traps laid for dreamers desperate to break out of survival mode.

If a job offer makes your heart race but also makes your eyebrow twitch, pause. Do your research. Ask someone. And remember, the only thing worse than being unemployed is being scammed into staying broke.

Stay sharp. Stay skeptical. And stay safe.

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