By Love Wilhelmina Abanonave
A cyber security expert, David Gyedu, has cautioned job seekers to be wary of online job advertisements that appear “too good to be true,” warning that fraudsters increasingly use social media, blogs, and messaging apps to lure unsuspecting Ghanaians into job scams.
Speaking on the rising trend of employment fraud on the GTV breakfast show today, July 30, he said the public must not be swayed by promises of quick money or instant employment. “Beware of job opportunities that are too good to be true; we should not be swayed by the fact that miracles happen,” Gyedu warned.
According to Mr. Gyedu, one of the major tactics used by scammers is to get a “trusted blogger” or influencer to share the job advert, giving it a false sense of credibility. “If a trusted blogger has posted about a job opportunity it does not make it legitimate,” he stated.
He explained that many fraudsters pay bloggers, create fake pages, or hack legitimate accounts to post fake vacancies for non-existent companies. The aim, he said, is to collect application fees, personal data, and banking details from desperate job seekers.
The expert noted that with high unemployment rates, especially among graduates, many young people are vulnerable to offers that promise high salaries, remote work, and little to no qualifications.
Gyedu urged job seekers to take a few minutes to verify any company before sending a CV or paying any money.
“If you are dealing with any company, just go online, type the company name, then add (+) ‘scam’ or ‘fraud’ to your search to find out whether the company is registered and whether it has a presence on Google,” he advised.
He said a legitimate company will usually have a registered website, active social media pages, reviews on Google, and records with the Registrar General’s Department or relevant regulatory bodies.
