Job scams are common and they get more convincing every year. The good news is that almost all of them break the same simple rule, so once you know the signs you can spot them fast.
The one rule
A real employer will never ask you to pay money to get a job. Not for "processing," not for "training materials," not for a "uniform," not for a "guarantee form," not for a medical you must do at their chosen clinic. If money has to leave your account before you start earning, it is a scam. Walk away.
Warning signs
- You are offered the job with no real interview, or after a two-minute chat on WhatsApp.
- The pay is far above the market for that role, with vague duties.
- They rush you: "pay today or we give it to someone else."
- The email is from a free address (gmail, yahoo) for a supposedly big company.
- They ask for your BVN, full bank details or a card OTP early on.
- The offer letter is full of spelling errors and odd formatting.
- They want you to receive money and forward it, or buy gift cards. That is money-laundering bait.
How we protect you here
On JobBoard.ng, employers are checked before they get a verified badge, and we automatically flag and hold posts that ask for payment or look fake. But no system is perfect, so stay alert and trust your instincts.
If something feels wrong
Report it. Every job and company page has a report button, and it opens a ticket that our moderation team reviews. You are not being difficult, you are helping protect the next person. If you have already sent money, contact your bank immediately and report to the police and the EFCC.
Never pay to get a job. Say it to yourself before every "opportunity" that feels too good.