A composite photo of the job interview email and a receipt for payment of Dh250. EXPAT MEDIA

Fake job interview scams continue to trap jobseekers across the UAE, with many residents taking to social media to warn others about suspicious interview offers that end in demands for cash. The scam is not new, but many say it has recently surged again as more jobseekers receive spam emails inviting them to interviews for jobs they never applied for. In one recent case shared online, a Filipina asked netizens for advice after receiving an email for an alleged customer service interview with a Dubai-based group of companies. The email instructed her to bring her CV and attend an interview at a building near Al Qiyada Metro Station, where she would supposedly meet the HR manager whose name also appeared as the signatory. Commenters quickly flagged it as a likely scam, with many sharing similar experiences. The warnings brought back the story of another Filipina jobseeker in Dubai who lost Dh300 after falling for a similar scheme. In an exclusive interview with Expat Media, M.P. (name withheld), a longtime Dubai resident, said desperation pushed her to trust what appeared to be a legitimate job opportunity. “I was desperate to find a job. I even borrowed that money. My husband is sick, and I need money to help pay the bills,” M.P. told Expat Media. She said the scam started after she responded to an advertisement on Dubizzle for a secretary position. The ad looked genuine and promised stable work with an immediate start. M.P. attended the interview at a human resources consulting company near Salah Al Din Metro Station in Deira. After being interviewed by a Filipina representative, she was asked to pay Dh300 for what was described as a temporary work permit and processing fee. “They said Dh250 was for a temporary work permit, and Dh50 was for processing. Being interviewed by a Filipina made me trust the process,” she said. She was given a contract and a receipt for the payment, which made the offer appear legitimate. But shortly after paying, the company stopped answering her calls and WhatsApp messages. “That’s when I realized I had been scammed,” she said. M.P. reported the incident to Dubai Police and said she decided to speak up so others would not suffer the same experience. “I want to raise awareness so that these scammers won’t victimize more helpless jobseekers,” she said. Expat Media attempted to contact the Filipina company representative, who declined to clarify whether she knew that asking jobseekers for fees is illegal in the UAE. Under UAE labour laws, recruitment agencies and employers are prohibited from charging job applicants any kind of fee. Speaking to Expat Media, Lt. Wafa Qaid Nasser AlQamesh of Dubai Police advised victims of job scams to report incidents through the Dubai Police app, by visiting the nearest Smart Police Station, or by calling 901. “When calling 901, they can choose CID for more assistance,” AlQamesh said. Dubai-based HR expert Olga Alvarez previously told Expat Media that scammers often use spam emails as bait "to get victims to visit their office on the pretext of a job interview, and once there, they will ask money as a processing fee.”

How to spot a fake job interview

Experts told Expat Media that fake job interviews have a similar pattern. They shared these warning signs: 1. Generic email greeting If the email says “Dear applicant” instead of your name, be careful. HR expert Shen Dee Quah said genuine recruiters usually address applicants personally. 2. Interview for a job you never applied for If you did not apply for the role, it is likely spam. 3. Asking you to bring your CV again If they already contacted you based on your application, they should already have your CV. 4. No company name If the company is not clearly identified, that is a major red flag. 5. Personal email address only Legitimate companies usually use official company emails, not Gmail, Yahoo or Hotmail. 6. Asking for payment This is the biggest warning sign. No legitimate employer should ask you to pay for interviews, permits, or job processing fees. ICA/CAM/PIA/Expat Media
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