The Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment has issued a strong advisory warning Pakistani jobseekers to remain extremely cautious of overseas employment offers demanding upfront payments. The bureau said any job offer requiring candidates to pay visa fees, processing charges, or recruitment costs should be treated as a serious red flag, as such demands are commonly linked to fraudulent schemes targeting vulnerable workers.
In its statement, the bureau stressed that legitimate and internationally recognised employers never ask candidates to pay money in advance. It explained that genuine overseas employers bear all expenses related to recruitment, visa processing, and placement. Any request for payment before employment confirmation, officials said, clearly indicates a scam designed to exploit the financial hopes of jobseekers.
According to the advisory, fraudsters often use attractive and unrealistic job offers to lure victims. These offers usually promise high salaries, quick visa processing, and guaranteed employment abroad. By presenting themselves as trusted agents or representatives, scammers gain the confidence of jobseekers before asking for money under the pretext of administrative or processing fees.
Once the demanded amount is transferred, the bureau noted, communication is abruptly cut off. Phone numbers are switched off, social media accounts disappear, and perpetrators vanish using fake names and identities. Many victims only realise they have been deceived when all attempts to reconnect fail, leaving them with financial losses and shattered hopes of overseas employment.
The bureau further clarified that genuine overseas recruitment is carried out strictly through licensed recruitment agencies or official government-approved channels. Jobseekers have been advised not to rely on verbal promises or emotional assurances. Instead, they should demand proper documentation, verify agency licences, and carefully review contracts before proceeding with any overseas employment opportunity.
Emphasising the importance of awareness, the bureau urged victims to report suspicious demands immediately. Timely reporting, officials said, can help authorities track fraudulent networks and prevent others from falling into similar traps. The bureau added that raising awareness and sharing information could protect thousands of Pakistanis seeking better opportunities abroad from becoming victims of organised employment scams.
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