How to spot a fake job offer in the UAE

The golden rule: you never pay to get a job

In the UAE the employer pays the costs of hiring you, including your work permit and visa. UAE authorities repeatedly warn that recruitment fees charged to job seekers are not allowed. If anyone asks you to pay for a job, a visa, training, a medical test, an "insurance deposit" or "processing", treat it as a scam.

10 warning signs of a fake job offer

• You're asked to pay money before you start, for any reason.
• You get an offer without a real interview, or after a short chat on WhatsApp or Telegram.
• The salary is far higher than the role or your experience would normally pay.
• You're pressured to decide or pay quickly, or told the offer will disappear.
• Someone asks for your passport, Emirates ID or bank details before a written offer.
• The recruiter uses a personal email (like Gmail) or only a mobile number.
• You can't find the company online, or its name doesn't match the recruiter's.
• You're told to start work on a visit or tourist visa.
• The job is to receive money in your account and send it on (this is money laundering).
• Anyone asks for a one-time code (OTP), PIN or password.

How to check an offer before you accept

1. Look the company up yourself: an official website, a landline, a real office address. Don't use only the links the recruiter sends.
2. Ask for a written offer on company letterhead with a named person who signs it.
3. Remember that real employment in the UAE goes through the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE). If you're unsure, check with MoHRE through its official channels.
4. Never send money, vouchers or codes. A real employer won't ask.
5. Talk to someone you trust before you sign anything.

What to do if you've been targeted

1. Stop all contact and don't send money or documents.
2. Keep the messages, numbers, emails and any receipts.
3. If you've lost money or shared bank details, call your bank immediately and report the fraud to the police.
4. If you saw the job on Fursae, press "Report listing". Our moderators review every report.

How Fursae keeps job seekers safe

Only companies verified by our team can publish jobs on Fursae, and no employer or agency on Fursae may ask you for any fee. Every listing has a report button. Applications stay on the platform, so your CV only goes to the employers you choose.