How fake job listings, advance fee fraud, and identity theft target teenagers and young adults seeking work, and how to spot and avoid them.
Fake Job Scams is fraudulent job offers designed to trick young people into handing over money or personal details, or into unwittingly helping criminals launder money.
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.
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.
In your child's behaviour
On their device
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.
In immediate danger: call 999. For non-emergency police matters, call 101.
Concerned about a child but it's not an emergency? NSPCC helpline 0808 800 5000. Childline for young people 0800 1111.
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.
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Last reviewed: 2026-04-15