Job-search safety
How to Identify Fake Job Vacancies in Nigeria
Use a practical verification process to recognise suspicious recruiters, payment requests, impersonation and unsafe application links.
Updated 5 November 2026 · 8 minute read · CareerPlug NG Editorial Team
A professional-looking flyer, logo or WhatsApp message is not proof that a vacancy is genuine. Fraudsters can copy a real company’s name and create convincing forms, email addresses and interview invitations.
Treat verification as part of every application, especially when a vacancy asks for money, sensitive documents or urgent action.
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Confirm the organisation independently
Do not rely only on the contact details inside the message you received. Search for the organisation’s official website and verified social pages, then compare the vacancy, domain, email format and office information.
- Check whether the company domain is spelled correctly.
- Look for the vacancy on the official careers page.
- Contact the company using a number or email found independently.
- Be cautious when a well-known organisation uses a free email address without explanation.
Never pay to secure a job
Application, interview, training, equipment, clearance or placement fees are major warning signs. Legitimate employers may have documented recruitment processes, but they do not guarantee employment in exchange for a transfer to an individual account.
- Do not send money because a message says spaces are limited.
- Do not buy equipment from a recruiter’s chosen vendor before employment is verified.
- Do not share an OTP, card PIN or banking password.
Inspect the message and application link
Pressure, secrecy and unrealistic promises are common tactics. Check the destination of a link before entering information. A form can be legitimate, but its existence alone does not prove who created it.
- Compare the displayed link with the address that actually opens.
- Watch for extra letters, substituted characters and unusual subdomains.
- Avoid files that ask you to enable macros or install unknown applications.
- Question salaries or benefits that are far above similar roles without clear requirements.
Protect your identity documents
A normal early-stage application rarely needs your bank details, BVN, card information, passwords or an unredacted identity document. Share only what is necessary, through a verified channel, at the appropriate stage.
What to do when you are uncertain
Pause the application and save evidence such as the URL, phone number, email and payment request. Ask the organisation directly and report impersonation to the platform hosting the message. If the vacancy appeared on CareerPlug NG, send us the listing link so it can be reviewed.
Your checklist
- Organisation exists
- Vacancy appears on a credible source
- Email domain is consistent
- No payment is required
- Link domain is correct
- Request for personal data is proportionate
- Interview details can be verified
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Is every vacancy shared on WhatsApp fake?+
No. Many genuine opportunities are shared through WhatsApp, but the message should lead to information you can verify independently.
Does a working website prove a recruiter is genuine?+
No. A website can be copied or recently created. Check its history, official company references, contact details and the specific vacancy.