Beware of recruitment agency and job scams in the Netherlands

By: van Orsouw 13-10-2023 8:53 PM
Categories: * Daily employment news,

It's a scam! Phishing messages in the name of Together Abroad

Scammers are getting smarter. They now use well-known company names and logos to appear more credible. Recruitment scams are becoming more common as a result. Unfortunately, we also receive reports of scam messages in the name of Together Abroad. This mainly occurs through WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook, and Instagram. Certainly not our intention! Are you in doubt about a message you received from us? Check below for what to do in case of agency fraud or spam through WhatsApp and other social media channels in our name.

We want to emphasize that Together Abroad is not a recruitment agency and we have no jobs and do not offer jobs! These fraudsters exploit the names of various recruitment agencies, including ours ( we are not a recruitment agency), to dupe unsuspecting job seekers and unlawfully collect their private information and money.

If you have been a target of such a scam or someone has attempted to deceive you, we strongly recommend contacting the Dutch non-profit helpwanted.nl. They specialize in assisting individuals who have experienced online abuse and can provide guidance.

We have identified two types of recruitment scams:

  • Work-From-Home Scams on Telegram and WhatsApp:
    Scammers promote dubious job opportunities promising high pay for work-from-home roles. These scams have been on the rise, likely due to the use of AI tools. They may request fees, training costs, certifications, sensitive information, or private documents.
  • Fake Job Vacancies on Social Media, Especially Facebook:
    Scammers use social media platforms to disseminate fake job ads. They may create fake profiles or utilize real ones to advertise non-existent positions. It's crucial to verify the legitimacy of the recruiter's or employer's social media accounts to avoid falling victim to these scams. They may ask you to contact their "manager" on WhatsApp, who will then request your personal information or ask you to click on links that request sensitive documents. Together Abroad does not post job vacancies through any channels as we are not a recruitment agency.

How to recognize phishing messages?
Prevention is always better than damage control. So, educate yourself on how to recognize (recruitment) scams, so you don't end up in a tricky situation later. Pay attention to the following:

  • Spelling. Be cautious if you see a lot of strange things, like unnecessary spaces and the absence of capital letters. And, we are Together Abroad, not TOGETHER ABROAD or Togetherabroad, offen they start with : hello are you bussy and then a job will be offered.
  • Timing. Together Abroad is not a recruitment agency and we have no jobs and do not offer jobs! We will never send you an open offer via WhatsApp just to keep in touch or discuss an application further. You will never receive a "do you want this job?" message from us.
  • Foreign phone number. We operate in multiple European countries, but as a job seeker in the Netherlands, you won't receive a WhatsApp message from us with a foreign number. Keep an eye out for this.
  • Payment requests and contracts. An official offer or contract from Together Abroad always arrives via email. Copies of your bank card, ID card, and other personal information all go through a secure online platform. A payment request for verification? Absolutely not, we don't do that.
  • Telegram. Our recruiters do not use Telegram, so if you receive a message from us on that platform, it's definitely a scam. Busted!

To avoid falling prey to scams, please consider the following if you're unsure about any recent communication with Together Abroad:

Together Abroad will never:

  • Ask you to pay any kind of fee (recruitment, training, coaching, relocation, visa, etc.).
  • Request you to have a crypto wallet.
  • Mention anything related to age or gender for a specific vacancy.
  • Ask for ID/passport copies, bank account details, or driver's licenses.
  • Represent companies that pay daily/weekly wages.
  • Pressure you to make hasty decisions.
  • Send you a link that does not lead to our official job portal.
  • Contact you through Telegram, WhatsApp, or Facebook direct messages.
  • We strongly urge you to exercise caution. If you are contacted and are certain that the user is fraudulent, promptly block and report them on the respective platform.

What to do if you've fallen victim to a scam?
It might be too late, and you've already responded to the scammer's message. It happens to the best of us. What should you do next?

  • Never share sensitive information and don't respond to payment requests, especially if you already have a bad feeling about it. If it's too late, report it to the Fraud Helpdesk.
  • Gather evidence. It sounds intense, but a few screenshots can do the trick.
  • Block and report the phone number or account. On WhatsApp, it's easy to do by clicking 'report' and 'block' at the bottom of the chat.

We have escalated this issue to the authorities, and it is currently under investigation.

For further information on this subject, please refer to the resources below:

Fraudehelpdesk - Thuiswerk blijkt oplichting
Business.gov.nl - Fraud & Deception

Stay vigilant,

Together Abroad
 

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