Job and visa scams in Europe: red flags, and how to check an employer in 10 minutes

Every week someone sends me an "offer letter" and asks if it is real. Too often it is not. Scammers know that people moving abroad are hopeful, under pressure, and unfamiliar with how hiring works in Europe. Here is how to protect yourself and your money.

Red flags

• They ask you to pay for the job, training, "processing", a "work permit fee" or a "guarantee".
• They guarantee a job or a visa. No one can. The employer decides on the job, and the authorities decide on the visa.
• No interview, or only a chat interview on WhatsApp or Telegram, followed by an instant offer.
• The email comes from Gmail or Yahoo, or from a domain that is slightly different from the company's real website.
• The salary is far above market for the role and your experience.
• Pressure to decide fast or to keep it secret.
• They ask for your passport, bank details or ID numbers before any contract.

How to check an employer in 10 minutes

1. Find the company's own website by searching its name yourself. Do not use links from the message. German company websites must have an Impressum (legal notice) with the address and register number.
2. Check the official register. German companies are listed in the Handelsregister. In the Netherlands, check that the employer is on the IND register of recognised sponsors if they promise a highly skilled migrant permit.
3. Find the job on the company's career page. If it is not there, ask why.
4. Check the recruiter on LinkedIn. A real profile has history, connections and colleagues at the company.
5. Call or email the company directly using contact details from its official website, and ask whether the offer is real.

Visa fees and agents

Official visa fees are listed on the website of the German embassy or consulate in your country. You pay them to the embassy or its official service provider, never into someone's personal account. You can apply for a German visa yourself. You do not need an agent.

If you were targeted

• Stop all contact and do not send more money.
• Save all messages, emails and payment receipts.
• Report it to the cybercrime portal and police in your country, and to the platform where you found the job.
• Warn others. Scammers reuse the same company names.

I am not a recruitment or visa agency, and I never promise jobs or visas. In my program we apply to real jobs on real company sites, with you seeing every application in a tracker.

Free PDF: send SCAM to @swapnil_in_germany on Instagram for "Job scam checklist". See all 33 free guides.