The German Embassy in Nairobi has issued a warning to Kenyans seeking jobs in Germany about the rising cases of fraudulent job offers and rogue recruitment agencies.
In an update on Wednesday, February 5, the embassy urged job seekers to be cautious and follow ethical recruitment standards to avoid falling victim to scams.
"Looking for a job in Germany? Beware of rogue recruiters and fake job offers! Our visa section has seen more fraudulent cases. Please observe our advice if and when dealing with recruitments agencies to check if these are following the ethical standards established by IOM," the embassy said.
According to the advisory, job seekers should not pay fees for job placements, as legitimate employers cover recruitment costs.
Additionally, applicants are encouraged to handle their visa applications independently, as recruiters and employers cannot process visas on their behalf.
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The embassy further emphasized the importance of verifying job offers by directly checking with the hiring company to confirm its legitimacy.
It also clarified that there are no embassy-approved recruiters, warning that any agency claiming such endorsement is fraudulent.
The embassy recommended visiting the official website www.make-it-in-germany.com for genuine job opportunities.
The advisory also urged job seekers to familiarize themselves with ethical recruitment standards outlined by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) under its IRIS principles.
This comes barely a day after the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs issued a warning about rising cases of visa fraud and fake job offers abroad.
In a statement released on Tuesday, February 4, the ministry highlighted the increasing number of complaints from citizens who have fallen victim to fraudsters while applying for travel visas.
To prevent further cases of fraud, the ministry urged travelers to apply for visas only through official government websites of their intended destinations.
"The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs continues to receive complaints from citizens who have been defrauded while applying for travel visas to various countries.
"It is important that persons seeking to travel to different destinations apply for the correct visas as provided on the official websites of the respective countries. Visa application is a personal responsibility that does not require the approval of agents or organisations," the statement read.
Additionally, the government advised job seekers looking for employment opportunities abroad to exercise caution before making any travel arrangements.
"The Ministry advises persons seeking employment in various destinations on the need for due diligence before embarking on any travel arrangements," the statement added.
