Source: Kiri Post
A free Digital tool, Job Scam Detector, has been launched to help job seekers identify fake recruitment offers online, with a digital security consultant highlighting its potential to prevent Cambodians from falling victim to online scammers
An innovative tool designed to verify suspicious job announcements has been launched to protect Cambodian job seekers, especially returning migrant workers, from the rising number of online recruitment scams.
The Centre for Alliance of Labour and Human Rights (CENTRAL) has developed the Job Scam Detector, a free, specialised online tool designed to protect users from falling into the trap of online recruitment scams.
CENTRAL recommends using the tool to verify job recruitment posts online. It checks messages, phone numbers and suspicious links, and informs the user whether the information is likely to be a scam.
Khun Tharo, Programme Manager at CENTRAL, told Kiripost that the tool was created after noting that the technologies and methods used to target victims are becoming increasingly sophisticated. In addition, they are becoming prevalent on social media platforms, especially TikTok. He added that in Cambodia, there has also been an increase in female victims and youth.
Therefore, Tharo believes that the Job Scam Detector will serve as an invaluable tool to avoid employment fraud on social media, especially identifying Cambodian job scams on Facebook, Telegram and TikTok.
“The target groups can report or ask for intervention/consultation from CENTRAL staff to provide more detailed information through Telegram and data collection through the Job Scam Detector,” he stressed.
“We need more awareness raising and advocacy actions for better protection, including law enforcement and policy enforcement through online platforms, such as a primary platform about scam posts and recruitment on Facebook, Telegram and TikTok.”
Ngeth Moses, a digital security consultant who is working with CENTRAL on the project, said it is hard to determine which job announcements are real and which are fake without clear evidence. He also observed that it is not uncommon for Cambodians to job hunt online, seeking opportunities on TikTok and Facebook. Therefore, genuine recruiters often use these platforms.
“So we are examining with CENTRAL the patterns of social media usage for job postings that are likely to have a significant impact,” Moses said, adding that nearly 50 percent of people in Cambodia use the TikTok platform to search for jobs.
He also noted a rise in the number of job announcements appearing on Telegram as he said it is easier for “recruiters” to communicate with their targets. Moses added that he has not yet carried out research into other social media platforms, such as WhatApp or Signal.
Job seeking on social media
Moses explained that often the fake job announcements are worded in such a way as to lure vulnerable people into applying, including the unemployed. He added that the content is also often tailored towards specific industries.
He cited the example of a typing job that alleges to pay between $500 and $800 a month, an overpaid salary for such work. “It's a lot of money, even for just typing, we think it's a lot,” he said.
He said if a job offer seems too good to be true and fails to include key details, such as a location and other employment details, it is likely a scam.
“Why create a job in a place that doesn't have a clear location? We just want to know if they are licensed and registered or not,” he added.
Preying on the poor
Moses said the unemployed are more vulnerable to these scams, and without money to pay for daily life often fall victim to the job claims they see online.
While Facebook and TikTok are the most popular online platforms to advertise jobs on, Moses also noted they appear on Telegram.
This has prompted an investigation into hundreds of Telegram groups. “We are checking to see if there are any irregularities in 500 Telegram groups. Whether there is anything unusual, a clear location, a clear registration.”
How to use Job Scams Detector
The tool can be accessed via JSD, where a screenshot of the job announcement or text with the information can be uploaded.
The tool will take about 10 to 15 seconds to analyse the information before giving a warning level. “High risk” or “reported scam” announcements should be avoided.
Moses also recommended carefully verifying online recruitment announcements by researching the recruiting company, ensuring it has a proper address and is licensed before applying.
“Even if there is a clear location, you need to find out more information from there to build trust,” he warned.