How To Identify Human Traffickers Disguising As Recruiters

How To Identify Human Traffickers Posing As Recruiters

According to a recent report by Statista, despite the increased and growing global attention, committed efforts, and channeling of resources by governmental and non-governmental organizations, the number of persons who fall victim to human trafficking continues to rise globally. 

This’s a worrisome trend, as efforts to tackle the menace seem unproductive. People fall prey to the activities of human traffickers for different reasons, the chief among them being economic reasons. This article would show you how to identify human traffickers disguising as recruiters, other helpful tips, statistics, and information.

Who are Human Traffickers?

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (unodc), defines Human Trafficking as “the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring, or receipt of people through force, fraud, or deception, intending to exploit them for profit”. No age or gender is immune to human trafficking. 

Human trafficking is a crime that can occur in every corner of the world. It can affect men, women, and children of all ages and backgrounds. There’re individuals or groups who’re involved in carrying out human trafficking.

Human traffickers are involved in trading human beings as commodities in exchange for money or unwholesome gains. The victims of human trafficking get forced into dehumanizing activities such as prostitution, robbery, etc. 

Why Human Traffickers are Disguising as Recruiters?

We live in a global age. More than ever, people are constantly looking out for opportunities to work overseas. This’s especially true for young people globally, many of whom  are either looking for international jobs or an opportunity to migrate through work.

Due to rising unemployment levels in developing countries, it’s not uncommon to see many people get excited about any seemingly good opportunity to work overseas. This craving for better jobs doesn’t always take into account the activities of human traffickers disguised as recruiters. 

These fraudsters take advantage of people’s ignorance and desperation to lure many into human trafficking. We hope that this article would help every job seeker and young professional to identify human traffickers disguising as recruiters.

Read Also: How To Spot Fake Overseas Job Recruitment Agencies

How to Identify Human Traffickers Disguising as Recruiters

It’s not enough to assume that you’re too smart to fall into the hands of human traffickers, you need to arm yourself with the right information. The truth’s that human trafficking can happen to anyone, especially if you’re looking to work overseas. Here are a few signs to look out for:

1. Unrealistic promises

Usually, if it sounds too good to be true, it’s untrue. Unrealistic promises such as travel assistance, visa processing, fancy car, accommodation, clothing budget, high remuneration, and other work benefits, with little or no experience required, are things to watch out for. I know you’re looking for better opportunities, but you sure know an unrealistic one when you see it.

With all the benefits promised, these human traffickers disguising as recruiters would typically just include a phone number or email address to contact and little or no details about the job.

Before now, an easy way to spot them would be to search online for details about them. While this’s still a valid exercise to carry out, these criminals have upped their game. Some of them now create websites and put up resources online to make them look real. Just stay away from unrealistic and unverifiable promises.

2. Weak communication

For an opportunity to work overseas, you should expect a lot of information exchange. The recruiter should be asking you for tons of information to help them determine your suitability for the role and other relevant information.

As a job seeker, you should also have questions you need to get clarity on regarding the job role, expectations, timelines, and other details. If the supposed recruiter is not offering any details or responding to your questions, that’s a sign to be wary of such a recruiter. 

A real recruiter would require an insight into your work experience, qualifications, status, availability to travel, and a whole lot more information. If you’re not getting the right queries or the communication flow is little or non-existent, you may want to flee.

3. Shady contracts

If you’re offered a contract, be sure to read through every single detail on it. Where you don’t understand a clause, please ask questions and get clarification from the recruiter or other relevant and trusted sources. Check online for people’s responses to queries you may have.

If the contract feels too vague and important details are missing, run for your life. Genuine overseas recruiters and companies are not careless enough to recruit anyone without executing the right contract. Do your research into the contract details, verify before you think of appending your signature.

4. Absurd payment requirements

If you’re required to pay money as a prerequisite for getting the job, this is a common sign that the job opportunity’s not genuine. If they’re asking you to pay money for interviews, training, tool,s or inventory, you’re not talking to a genuine recruiter.

This’s an easy way to identify human traffickers disguising as recruiters, they would require you to pay some money for them to help you. Owing to making such payments, many have been fooled into believing that the opportunity is genuine. On the other hand, if the recruiter sends you money as a sign-on bonus or anything of that sort, they are trying to get your trust, be wary.

Read Also: Reported Fake Recruitment Agencies in South Africa

How to Spot a Genuine Recruitment Agency/Recruiter

Here are a few tips to help you identify a genuine recruiter or recruitment agency:

1. Reputation

A genuine recruitment agency would typically have both an online and offline reputation. Search for reviews, comments, feedback, and any relevant information about the recruiter.

2. Successful placements

A genuine recruiter or recruitment agency should have a traceable track record of successful placements. Someone somewhere should already have a testimony that puts the recruiter in the right light. Have they carried recruitment for any organization? 

3. Competence

Genuine recruiters are competent enough to match available job vacancies with an applicant’s skillset and experience. The job role offered to you would ideally match what you’re looking for or are interested in.

4. Research

Genuine recruitment agencies are like goldfishes, they never hide. When searching for information concerning them, it should be easy to find and verify.

5. Relevant registrations

A good recruitment agency should be registered with the appropriate authorities.

Conclusion

You’re not wrong for seeking better job opportunities or seeking to migrate through work. Opportunities to live and work abroad do exist, and so do genuine recruitment agencies. Check our career advice page for more information on genuine recruitment agencies in different regions. With the tips shared in this article, you’re better equipped to identify human traffickers disguising as recruiters.

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