How vulnerable are you to online job scams? New study maps Asia-Pacific hotspots
A new study has shown that online job scams are surging across the Asia-Pacific, with some countries being increasingly targeted by fraudsters who promise fast hiring or easy income, preying on job seekers’ urgency.
Indonesia emerged as the top hotspot, accounting for 38% of fraud attempts in the region. The Philippines followed closely, accounting for approximately 20% of scam attempts.
Across the region, the most vulnerable roles were in administration, office support, sales, healthcare, manufacturing, and logistics, according to a study conducted by SEEK, the parent company of Jobstreet and Jobsdb
These jobs typically attract a large number of applicants, making it easier for scammers to target potential victims.
Entry-level roles with immediate employment promises create a wide pool of potential victims, said Tom Rhind, SEEK’s head of trust and safety.
Rhind noted that scammers can use these positions to craft convincing offers that appear legitimate.”
Fraudsters are exploiting popular communication channels like Viber, SMS, and social media, often impersonating recruiters or even platforms like SEEK and Jobstreet.
Experts also warn that scammers are increasingly using AI tools to generate fake job ads and recruiter profiles, making fraud harder to detect.
The findings underscore a growing risk for job seekers across Asia-Pacific, a fast-moving digital job market, where even experienced candidates may fall prey to sophisticated scams.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
