How can you tell if a job listing is fake?

A Singapore-based company that allegedly advertised online for local jobs, only to later tell interviewees that they would be working full-time at a Cambodian resort instead, is being probed by the police.

- Aqil Hamzah

A poster warning of scam threats in Raffles Place. Many people continue to fall for fake job listings as the factors enabling human trafficking continue to exist. Scammers are also using artificial intelligence tools to lure victims.

(PHOTO: AFP)

Many people continue to fall for fake job listings as the factors enabling human trafficking, such as a shortage of jobs, continue to exist. This problem is exacerbated by scammers using artificial intelligence tools to lure victims.

So how can job seekers protect themselves from falling for scams when looking for work? Experts tell The Straits Times about some of the telltale signs of fake listings and offers.

A Think twice before applying for a job if the listing provides vague job descriptions, or if an offer is made almost immediately and has to be accepted within a short period of time, said Ms Linda Teo, country manager of recruitment firm ManpowerGroup Singapore.

Another red flag is when a job offers a high salary yet requires minimal experience.

While these signs do not necessarily mean that a job listing is fake, job seekers should verify such opportunities first, she cautioned.

One should also be careful if a prospective employer is ambiguous about what the role requires or if the company does not verify key details in an applicant's resume.