DON'T FALL PREY TO FAKE JOB OFFERS

Observer

4 days ago

When a job hunter of Asian origin received a message on his phone stating that he had been shortlisted for a position he had only applied for a few hours earlier, he was overjoyed.
Like many desperate job-seekers clinging to hope, he believed his time had finally come. With his heart pounding and expectations rising, he waited anxiously for the next step.
Soon, a call followed. A representative from the so-called 'company' claimed that they were in the process of establishing operations in Oman and were actively looking to onboard graduates as part of their expansion drive.
The caller, fluent in a mix of English and an Asian language, spoke convincingly. He requested academic credentials and explained that a nominal fee of RO 50 was required as a 'processing charge' to expedite the offer.
Desperate and hopeful, the young man scrambled to collect the money - borrowing small amounts from friends and well-wishers. He wired the amount as instructed and waited for confirmation of his employment. But that moment never came. Days passed. The number he had been communicating with became unreachable, and reality began to sink in. He had been scammed.
This is not an isolated incident.
With the growing number of job-seekers and increasing digital activity, fraudsters are finding innovative ways to trap victims. The combination of economic stress, job market competition and emotional vulnerability makes it easier for scammers to manipulate their targets.
In a particularly heartbreaking case, a woman from a neighbouring GCC country tearfully shared her ordeal. Working as a waitress, she had saved RO 2,000 for her upcoming wedding. She was approached by someone claiming he could secure a job in Oman for her fiancé.
Desperate to build a future with her partner, she transferred the entire sum to the fraudster, only to later realise that she had fallen victim to an elaborate con. "I trusted him blindly, dreaming of starting a new life in Oman with my fiancé," she said. "Now I have nothing left - not even the money for my wedding."
The scammer, it is believed, resides in Oman and continues to operate by targeting vulnerable individuals - both within and outside Oman. The method is often the same: luring the victim with a promising offer, establishing communication via local mobile numbers to appear legitimate and then requesting upfront payments under various pretexts - processing fees, verification costs, or legal clearances.
Even journalists trying to expose these cons have not been spared. In one shocking instance, a journalist who had taken it upon himself to highlight and follow up on these scams was maliciously targeted by the fraudsters. They circulated his photo on social media platforms, falsely portraying him as the mastermind of the operation. It was an attempt to defame him and discredit his work, while the real culprits sought to escape unnoticed.
Authorities have taken note. The Directorate-General of Criminal Investigations at the Royal Oman Police (ROP) has issued public advisories urging people to exercise caution. A senior ROP official confirmed that they are tracking such fraudulent activities and actively pursuing those behind them.
'We have detected a rise in fraudulent schemes targeting job-seekers, young adults and individuals seeking online services or secondhand goods,' the official said. 'The scammers often use SMS or messaging apps to send fake job notifications and entice victims into sending money in return for false promises of employment.'
In some cases, victims are told they have won valuable prizes and must pay a small amount to claim them. Once the initial payment is made, further demands follow - each more convincing than the last - until the victims realise they've been trapped in an organised scam.
The ROP strongly advises all residents and citizens to verify the source and authenticity of any such job offers or online announcements. Any suspicious activity or suspected fraud should be reported immediately to the nearest ROP station or via their official communication channels.
As Oman continues to welcome talent from across the globe, it is essential for job-seekers and residents alike to remain alert. While the job market may pose challenges, falling victim to deceitful promises only deepens the pain. Information, awareness and timely action are the best tools we have against such fraud.