How South African youth can spot online job scams

Recently, there has been much furor around the rise of online work opportunity scams, especially those targeting youth. These scams often appear on social media and range from so-called “pay-for-job” schemes and bogus learnerships or internships, to fake interview venues and non-existent work-from-home jobs that claim you can earn in foreign currency.

With youth unemployment levels at record highs, many young job seekers are falling prey to scammers promising lucrative job opportunities. While some have become disillusioned and stopped looking for work altogether, others are chasing every opportunity that comes their way,  which is both understandable and commendable. But it is exactly this hunger for inclusion and progress that scammers are exploiting, luring job seekers into dangerous activities disguised as legitimate jobs.

This is no small matter. Human trafficking has been on the rise, with kidnappings frequently reported in South Africa. The Deputy Minister of Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities, Steve Letsike, recently raised the alarm about fake foreign job offers circulating online, deliberately targeting South African youth. The promise of high salaries, accommodation, or international travel is enticing, but it can end in devastating outcomes.

The reality is that our economy is not growing fast enough to absorb all young job seekers locally, and so exploring opportunities abroad feels like a natural next step. There is nothing wrong with this aspiration. But the sad truth is that in pursuing these dreams, many young people are exposing themselves to risks that can be life-threatening. Others lose significant sums of money trying to secure opportunities that do not exist.

So, how can young people protect themselves while still chasing the opportunities they deserve?

1. Be sceptical of “too good to be true” offers.

If a job promises unusually high pay, free accommodation, or overseas travel with minimal effort or experience required, pause and question it. Scammers often use these bait tactics to reel people in.

2. Never pay for a job.

Legitimate employers will never ask you to pay money up front for interviews, uniforms, training, or processing fees. If you are asked to make a payment, it is almost certainly a scam.

3. Verify the source.

Cross-check whether the company exists, whether it has an official website, and whether contact details and physical addresses are genuine. A quick online search or a call to the company’s switchboard can help confirm whether a posting is real.

4. Guard your personal information.

Be cautious about sharing your ID, banking details, or home address before you are certain that a job is legitimate. Scammers can misuse this information for identity theft or fraud.

5. Use trusted networks.

Rely on established platforms, job boards, or referrals from reputable organisations. Social media is a useful tool, but it is also where many scams thrive.

6. Speak up and report.

If you come across a suspicious advert or offer, report it to the authorities or share warnings within your community. By speaking up, you may prevent someone else from falling victim.

Young people should not have to choose between safety and opportunity. It is critical that government, corporates, and civil society continue to raise awareness of these scams and strengthen pathways to safe, meaningful work.

The desperation of our youth should never be weaponised against them. South Africa’s future depends on the inclusion of young people in the economy, and that means protecting them from those who seek to exploit their hopes. 

By staying alert, asking the right questions, and looking out for one another, we can stop scammers in their tracks and help young people keep the dream of opportunity alive.

* Mahlangu is the Youth Employment Specialist at the Momentum Group Foundation.

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