Unemployment remains one of the biggest challenges in Kenya and has particularly affected the youth. However, a group of ruthless tricksters have taken advantage of the desperation levels to dupe job seekers at their lowest moments.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, a number of Kenyans shared their experiences in the hands of these vicious fraudsters and offered details of some of the new tricks that are targetting job seekers.
Last-minute Document Requests
There are incidences where jobs are advertised on a website, one applies, gets shortlisted and is called for a physical interview to seal the deal.
On their way to the place of interview, the job seeker is called and asked whether they have some documents which were not discussed in the interview letter or email.
These are documents such as good conduct certificates and other clearance certificates which the "employer" will make the recruit believe it should have gone without saying that they would be needed.
"The person calling is usually a "junior staffer" who will even offer to push the bosses to delay your interview for an hour so that you can get the documents. They will give you a number of a friend at a government office to process the certificate quickly and once the cash is sent the phones go off," a victim of this trick narrated.
Physical Fitness Scam
In another case, some conmen set up an interview for tens of job seekers in a well-known hotel and by the end of the interview they lost their laptops and phones.
"There was this fake company that called me for an interview at a hotel in Nairobi. On attending the interview, there was the oral, written and physical fitness interview.
So after the oral and written interview, we were told to change into our games kit and leave our belongings in the hotel after being assured that they would be safe. On returning from the physical fitness test, everything was gone. Our mobile phones, laptops, and wallets. We walked home wearing games kits," narrated a Nairobian.
Company Requirements
In another con, a job opportunity is advertised, then upon applying and attending an interview, one is called and told that they have secured a place in the company.
They are then required to pay some money to cater for their uniforms and other things they will be required to use in the job premises after which the person offering the job goes missing with the money.
Refer a Friend
Another job seeker narrating their experience said that, " I attended a training program, and exchanged my number with someone who had also attended the training program. The guy called me a week later telling me that there was a job opportunity somewhere and that I should refer someone whom I know is seeking a job to apply. Upon applying, my friend was called for an interview and asked to pay Ksh 20,000 so as to get the job.
Considering how much she was being offered for the job, she blindly gave the money and went home to wait for their call. Up to date, she has never been called and the number used to call her for the interview is no longer in service."
Actress Jacquey Nyaminde, popularly known as Wilbroda, confessed to falling for a related scam which was carried out by a close relative.
Stealing Ideas
Others mentioned cases where they were called for interviews and asked questions, whose answers gave ideas to the interviewers and they used them elsewhere.
“Some people called me for an interview, then two months later I saw the same company advertise for job interviews. Upon investigating, I realized that this current interview advert was the real one and that the one I had attended was fake,” said a job seeker.
This is particularly for Kenyan-based companies which have headquarters outside the country.
General Francis Ogolla is Dead, Ruto Confirms Breaking News
