Job Scams in the UAE: Warning Signs and What to Do

Published · by JOBB GROUP FZE

A message arrives on WhatsApp: a well-known Dubai company has “shortlisted” you, the salary is generous, the start date is soon, and all you need to do is pay for your visa and medical test. Offers like this are one of the most common ways job seekers in the UAE lose money. This guide covers the patterns UAE authorities keep warning about, a checklist you can run any offer through, and exactly what to do if you have already paid or shared your details.

The rule that exposes most job scams

Start with the law, because it settles most cases on its own. Under Article 6(4) of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, the UAE’s main employment law, the employer “is prohibited from charging the worker for the fees and costs of recruitment and employment or collecting them from him, whether directly or indirectly.” The UAE government portal says the same about recruitment agencies: the job seeker does not pay, and “the onus to pay such fees lies with the employers.”

The same article also says no one may work in the UAE, and no employer may recruit or employ a worker, without a work permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE), and that recruitment or employment mediation needs a MoHRE licence.

So if anyone asks you to pay for a visa, a work permit, a medical test, a “processing fee”, a training course or a “security deposit” to secure a job, treat the offer as fraudulent until you can prove otherwise.

Five scam patterns UAE authorities keep warning about

1. The “you’re selected, now pay” offer

Dubai Police describe a common sequence: the scammer builds trust with a promise of a guaranteed job or work visa, then asks for money for visa processing, training or background checks. Once you pay, the offer disappears. The amounts are often presented as small, refundable or “deducted from your first salary” to lower your guard.

2. A real company’s name on a fake offer

Fraudsters copy a genuine firm’s name, logo and branding, and some build convincing websites. A familiar logo proves nothing: what matters is whether the company itself made the offer, through its own channels. MoHRE has repeatedly told job seekers to check offers before starting any recruitment step (see the verification steps below).

3. Recruiters who live on messaging apps

Many fake offers arrive unsolicited by WhatsApp, social media or email from someone calling themselves an agent or HR representative. Warning signs highlighted in recent MoHRE and police warnings include:

  • a job offer with no application or a real interview;
  • interviews held only by chat on informal messaging apps;
  • “company” emails sent from free addresses such as Gmail rather than the employer’s own domain.

4. Easy part-time and online “tasks” for quick money

Dubai Police have warned about fake part-time jobs promising simple tasks and fast pay. After you show interest, the aim is to get your banking details, a fee or a money transfer out of you. A particularly dangerous version asks you to receive money into your personal bank account and pass it on to someone else for a commission. Police say this can be linked to illegal financial transactions, and the money moving through your account can land you in serious legal trouble. If anyone asks you to do this, stop communicating with them.

5. Data harvesting dressed up as “onboarding”

Some scams aren’t after a fee at all. They ask for your passport copy, Emirates ID, bank card details, passwords or one-time verification codes (OTPs) “for HR records”. These can be used for identity theft and further fraud. Dubai Police are clear that you should never share an OTP with anyone, and Abu Dhabi Police note that genuine hiring companies do not ask for payments or sensitive personal data.

Warning-sign checklist

Run any offer through these questions. One “yes” means slow down; two or more means walk away until you have verified the offer through official channels.

Question Why it matters
Are you asked to pay anything: visa, permit, medical, training, deposit, “processing”? Employers must bear recruitment and employment costs under Article 6(4) of the Labour Law.
Did the offer arrive without an application or a proper interview? Dubai Police describe promises of a guaranteed job or work visa as a typical scam opening.
Is the salary or speed unusually attractive (“start next week, no experience needed”)? MoHRE flags high pay, immediate hiring and unusually fast recruitment as warning signs.
Does the sender use a free email address or only a mobile number? Real employers normally write from their own company domain.
Are you being rushed or told to keep the offer confidential? Pressure stops you checking. A genuine employer can wait a day while you verify.
Are you asked for OTPs, card details or account passwords? No recruitment process needs these. They are used to empty accounts.
Are you asked to receive and forward money? This can make you part of a crime, even if you didn’t know.
Does the offer letter lack a MoHRE serial number or barcode? MoHRE requires employers to use its approved job offer form, which carries a serial number and barcode you can check.

Check before you act

MoHRE requires employers to use an approved job offer form with a unique serial number and barcode, and says job seekers can check whether an offer is genuine through the Ministry’s website, its smart app or its call centre on 600 590000. Do this before you resign from a current job, buy a ticket or send any documents beyond a CV.

Our separate guide on verifying a UAE job offer walks through every check in order: the company’s trade licence, the recruiter’s MoHRE licence, the offer and permit lookups, and the questions to ask the employer directly.

What to do if you’re targeted, or you’ve already paid

  1. Stop paying and stop replying. Scammers often follow a first payment with a second request (“insurance”, “ticket”, “visa stamping”). Don’t send more money, and don’t argue: it only gives them another chance to pressure you.
  2. Keep every piece of evidence. Screenshot chats, save emails with full headers, keep the offer letter, payment receipts, bank transfer references, phone numbers and website addresses. Police specifically advise keeping screenshots, emails, offer letters and payment requests.
  3. If you shared bank details or an OTP, call your bank immediately. Ask them to block the card or account, stop any pending transfers and note the fraud on your file.
  4. Report it. The UAE government portal lists these official channels for reporting online crime:
    • the eCrime website of Dubai Police (Dubai Police also take non-emergency calls on 901);
    • the Aman service of Abu Dhabi Police (aman.adpolice.gov.ae; Abu Dhabi Police’s Aman line is 800 2626);
    • the Ministry of Interior’s eCrimes platform in the MOI UAE app;
    • the Federal Public Prosecution’s My Safe Society app;
    • your nearest police station, or 999 in an emergency.
  5. Tell MoHRE about fake offers and unlicensed recruiters. Use the Ministry’s website, app or call centre (600 590000), especially if a recruitment office or agent is involved.
  6. If you are outside the UAE, also report to the police in your own country and contact the UAE embassy there. Many offers are aimed at people who have never been to the UAE and can’t easily check local details.
  7. Warn others carefully. Sharing the scam’s phone numbers or account names in community groups can protect others. Avoid posting your own documents or anything that identifies you further.

Habits that make you a harder target

  • Apply through channels you chose, such as a company’s own careers page or a job board you trust, not through links sent to you.
  • Type official addresses yourself. Don’t click a link in a message that claims to be from a ministry, a police force or a big employer. Open the official website or app on your own and check the address carefully before entering any details.
  • Share documents in stages. A CV is enough to apply. Passport and Emirates ID copies are needed later, once a verified employer is processing your permit.
  • Keep a record of every application so an unexpected “you’ve been selected” message is easy to spot. A simple tracker, such as the job applications list in a resumebuilder.ae/ career profile, makes it obvious when someone claims you applied for a job you never applied for.
  • Don’t work on a visit visa because someone promised to “sort it later”. Work in the UAE requires a MoHRE work permit before you start (Article 6(1)).

A well-prepared application also helps you focus on genuine openings rather than mass offers that “find” you. If you are building or updating your CV for UAE roles, the free ATS resume builder lets you create a clean, employer-ready version to send to companies you’ve researched yourself.

Frequently asked questions

Can a recruitment agency in the UAE charge me a fee?

The UAE government portal states that job seekers are not required to pay recruitment agencies and that the fees are the employer’s responsibility. The Labour Law separately prohibits employers from collecting recruitment and employment costs from workers. If an agency asks you for money, check its licence with MoHRE and report the request.

The offer letter has the company’s real logo and address. Is it safe?

Not necessarily. Scammers copy logos, branding and even build look-alike websites. Check the offer’s serial number or barcode with MoHRE, and contact the company through contact details you found yourself, not those in the message.

I paid a “visa fee” by bank transfer. Can I get the money back?

Recovery isn’t guaranteed. Your best chance is to act fast: contact your bank straight away, then report to the police with your transfer reference and screenshots. The sooner a transfer is reported, the more options the bank and police have.

Someone wants to pay me a commission to move money through my account. Is that a job?

No. Dubai Police warn that this is a common feature of fake part-time jobs and may be linked to illegal transactions. Using your account this way can expose you to criminal liability. Stop contact and report it.

This article is general information about recognising job scams, not legal advice. For a specific case, contact MoHRE (600 590000) or the police, or speak to a UAE-licensed lawyer.

Sources

Ready to build your resume?

Start with a sample or a blank page. No sign-up needed. Free to edit; US$1.00 only if you download a PDF.

Build My ATS ResumeExplore Resume Templates