Fake Job Scams Targeting Young People
How fake job listings, advance fee fraud, and identity theft target teenagers and young adults seeking work, and how to spot and avoid them.
What is this?
Fake job scams specifically target young people who are looking for their first jobs, part-time work, or opportunities during school and university holidays. Scammers post convincing listings on legitimate job boards and social media platforms, offering high pay for minimal experience. Victims may be asked to pay fees upfront, provide personal documents for identity theft, or — in more serious cases — be drawn into money laundering or other criminal activity unknowingly.
How it works
Fake job scams typically follow a recognisable pattern. A listing appears on a genuine platform — Instagram, Indeed, or a Facebook group — offering attractive pay and flexible hours with little experience required. The victim applies and is quickly offered the job with little or no interview. They are then asked to pay an upfront fee for training materials, uniform, or a background check, or asked to provide copies of identity documents. In money mule scams, young people are asked to receive money into their bank account and transfer it on, keeping a percentage — this constitutes money laundering and can result in a criminal record.
Warning signs
In your child's behaviour
- • Excited about a job that offers unusually high pay for little or no experience
- • Being asked to pay a fee before starting work or provide copies of identity documents
- • Receiving money into their bank account from an unknown source and being asked to transfer it on
On their device
- • Job listings or messages offering high pay with no experience required
- • Messages from recruiters on social media or WhatsApp that seem too good to be true
Prevention steps
Teach your child to recognise the red flags
The key red flags for fake job scams are: being offered the job without a proper interview, being asked to pay any fee before starting work, unusually high pay for a role requiring no experience, communication only via WhatsApp or personal email (not a company address), and pressure to act quickly or keep the opportunity secret.
Verify the employer independently
Before engaging with a job offer, verify that the company exists using Companies House (find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk) and that the recruiter's contact details match those on the company's official website. Search for the company name alongside 'scam' or 'review' to find any reports from others.
Never share identity documents or bank details with an unverified employer
A legitimate employer will not ask for bank details until a job offer has been formally made and accepted, and will not request upfront payment of any kind. Passport and National Insurance details should never be shared via email, WhatsApp, or any informal channel.
What to do if it happens
- 1If your child has paid money to a fake employer, report the fraud to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or via actionfraud.police.uk. Keep all correspondence as evidence.
- 2If identity documents have been shared with a scammer, contact the relevant issuing authority. For passport compromise, contact HM Passport Office. Monitor for any signs of identity fraud, including unexpected credit applications or communications in your child's name.
- 3If your child has received and transferred money for someone else, contact their bank immediately — they may need to speak to the fraud team. Explain that the young person did not understand they were involved in money laundering. Early disclosure and cooperation is important.
Related topics
This is practical educational content to support families. For case-specific concerns about a child's safety, contact the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000 or your local safeguarding team.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Resources
Was this page helpful?
Last reviewed: 2026-04-15