How to Spot Fake Job Ads in Pakistan

Fake job scams are everywhere here, especially on Facebook and WhatsApp. Every week I hear about people losing money or giving personal info to scammers. Good news? These scams are super predictable. Once you know what to look for, they're easy to spot.

Number one red flag: asking for money. Real employers NEVER ask you to pay for anything - not application fees, not registration, not medical tests, not training. If someone asks for money upfront, it's 100% a scam. I don't care how official they sound or how real their email looks - real companies don't charge you. Ever.

Another common one: asking for mobile load or balance transfer. They'll say stuff like "send 500 rupees load to verify" or "transfer balance to activate your profile." Always fake. No real company will ever ask for mobile balance. Block them immediately.

Email addresses tell you everything. Real companies use their own domain - like "hr@companyname.com" is good. But "companyname.jobs@gmail.com" or "hr.company123@yahoo.com"? Super suspicious. Scammers use free emails because they're easy to make and hard to track. Always check the company's real website to see what email format they actually use.

If it sounds too good to be true, it is. I've seen fake ads offering 100k+ for entry level jobs, or "work from home, make 50k weekly" with no experience. Real jobs don't work like that. If they promise crazy high pay for easy work, it's a scam.

Bad grammar can be a warning but not always. Some real small companies here have bad English. But if the ad is full of errors AND asks for money or personal info? That's a red flag. Scammers don't bother with grammar because they're targeting desperate people who might not notice.

Vague job descriptions are sketchy. Real job ads have specifics - job title, what you'll do, what you need, where it is, how to apply. If it's just "we need workers, apply now" with no details, be careful. Scammers keep it vague to catch as many people as possible.

Asking for sensitive info too early is a huge red flag. Real employers only ask for CNIC, bank details, etc. after you're selected and going through official hiring. If they ask in the initial application or interview, that's suspicious. Never share your CNIC copy, bank details, or passwords with anyone claiming to be a recruiter.

Social media job groups are full of scams. Real jobs get posted there too, but scammers love these groups. Be extra careful with Facebook group posts, especially from accounts with no photo, few friends, or brand new profiles. Check who's posting before you apply.

Simple check: before applying, search the company name online. Do they have a real website? Can you find contact info? Do they have an actual office address? If you can't find anything online, that's suspicious. Real companies have some online presence.

If a job ad asks you to download an app or click a weird link, don't do it. Scammers use these to install malware or steal your info. Real companies will send you to their official website or a known job portal like Rozee or Mustakbil.

Trust your gut. If something feels wrong, it probably is. Don't let desperation make you ignore red flags. Better to miss a real opportunity than get scammed and lose money or your personal info.

If you think it's a scam, report it. Most job portals have reporting. You can also report to cybercrime. Reporting helps protect other people.