--- title: Fake Job Offer and Work Permit Fee — Germany Scam Alert description: Active scam alert: Fake Job Offer and Work Permit Fee is targeting immigrants in Germany. How it works, red flags, and how to protect yourself. image: https://migrantiq.com/og/default.png --- Skip to content Advertisement728 × 90AdSense zone 🇩🇪 FAKE JOB OFFER AND WORK PERMIT FEE HighEmployment FraudPublisher: MigrantIQ Safety3 min read7 reported cases Editorially reviewedLast updated 2026-10-04Reviewed by MigrantIQ Editorial TeamOfficial reporting channel ↗ [https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/visa-residence] Safety guidance, not emergency support If you are in immediate danger or have already lost money, contact local emergency services, your bank, and the official fraud reporting channel in the destination country. MigrantIQ provides general safety guidance. Terms [/terms/]Privacy [/privacy/]Report an issue [/contact/] HOW THIS SCAM WORKS WHAT IS THE FAKE JOB OFFER AND WORK PERMIT FEE SCAM? In Germany, a prevalent scam involves fraudsters sending enticing job offers to individuals, particularly targeting job seekers, skilled workers, care workers, and hospitality workers. After expressing interest, victims are often asked to pay various fees related to obtaining work permits, medical examinations, insurance, accommodation, or document processing. These requests usually occur before any formal employment contract is signed or even before an interview takes place. The scammers exploit the urgency and desire of individuals to secure employment in Germany, leading them to believe that these payments are necessary for their visa or job confirmation. HOW CAN I IDENTIFY THIS SCAM? Recognizing this scam can be challenging, especially for newcomers. Often, the job offers appear legitimate, with attractive salaries and benefits. However, the lack of a formal hiring process, such as an interview or skills assessment, should raise red flags. scammers may use official-sounding email addresses or documentation to create a false sense of credibility. WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I ENCOUNTER THIS SCAM? If you suspect that you have encountered a fake job offer or have been asked to pay fees upfront, you should report this to local authorities. The Federal Criminal Police Office (Bundeskriminalamt) and the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) can provide guidance and assistance in these matters. official resources like Make it in Germany can help you verify legitimate job offers and employers. RED FLAGS * Job offer arrives without interview or skills screening * Salary is much higher than market level * Employer asks the worker to pay immigration or recruitment fees upfront * Company website, address, or registration cannot be verified HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF To avoid falling victim to this scam, always verify the legitimacy of the employer through official company registries and contact details in Germany. Refrain from paying any recruitment or immigration fees to personal accounts. Ensure that the employer is legally registered and can be verified through credible sources. always seek confirmation of any job offer through direct communication with the company before making any commitments. WHAT TO DO IF TARGETED * - Stop communication and do not send more money or documents * - Save messages, receipts, contracts, profile links, and phone numbers * - Contact your bank or payment provider if money was sent * - Report through official fraud, police, or immigration channels Official reporting channel → [https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/visa-residence] PREVENTION TIPS * - Only pay government fees through official portals * - Do not trust guaranteed visa approvals or secret appointment slots * - Verify employer, school, agent, or landlord identities independently * - Avoid personal-account transfers and pressure tactics EMERGENCY & REPORTING CONTACTS If there is immediate danger, contact local emergency services. If money was sent, contact your bank/payment provider and official fraud reporting channels. SOURCES & REFERENCES * MigrantIQ scam alert record Published 2026-05-07. * Germany official reporting channels [https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/visa-residence] Use official reporting channels if you were targeted or lost money. WHO IS TARGETED job seekersskilled workerscare workershospitality workers Feedback Was this guide helpful? Your answer helps us improve guides and update priority. YesNo Summarize this page with AI Opens your assistant with a pre-filled prompt (ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude). Gemini uses Google AI Mode. Ask AI ↗ Not affiliated with any AI platform. Always verify immigration rules on official government sites. SCAM SAFETY FAQ SHOULD I PAY ANY FEE BEFORE MY VISA IS APPROVED? Legitimate government fees are paid through official channels with receipts. Never wire cash to personal accounts for a “guaranteed” outcome. HOW DO I REPORT A SUSPICIOUS OFFER? Collect evidence (messages, contracts), then report through your destination country’s fraud or immigration reporting channels and warn your community. Advertisement300 × 250AdSense zone MORE ALERTS * Document Translation, Notary, or Apostille Overcharge [/scam-alerts/germany/document-translation-notary-overcharge/] * Fake Border, Airport, or Fast-Track Assistance Fee [/scam-alerts/germany/fake-border-airport-assistance-fee/] * Fake University or Scholarship Letter [/scam-alerts/germany/fake-university-or-scholarship-letter/] * Rental Deposit Before Viewing or Contract [/scam-alerts/germany/rental-deposit-before-viewing/] CONTINUE * All Germany alerts [/scam-alerts/germany/] * Global hub [/scam-alerts/] Plan smarter Save countries, compare destinations, track visa checklists, and sync your migration plan across devices. Open My Plan [/plan/]Account Dashboard [/account/] Free resources TOOLS & GUIDES Full sitemap → [/sitemap/] PLAN YOUR MOVE * Eligibility quiz [/tools/eligibility/] * Tax calculator [/tools/tax-calculator/] * Tax compare [/tools/tax-compare/] * Tax guides [/tools/tax-guides/] * Points calculator [/tools/points-calculator/] * Cost calculator [/calculator/] * Move planner [/tools/planner/] * Best country [/tools/best-country/] * Pathway finder [/tools/pathway-finder/] * Corridor fit [/tools/corridor-fit/] * Compare 3 countries [/tools/compare-three/] * Job → visa matcher [/tools/job-visa-match/] * Scam checker [/tools/scam-check/] * All tools [/tools/] GUIDES & SAFETY * Visa guides [/visas/] * Scholarships [/scholarships/] * Government jobs [/government-jobs/] * Immigration updates [/countries/canada/immigration-updates/] * Embassies [/embassies/] * Laws [/laws/] * Scam alerts [/scam-alerts/] * Checklists [/checklist/] * Country profiles [/countries/] COMMUNITY * Q&A [/qa/] * People stories [/stories/] * Blog [/blog/] * Android app (Google Play) [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.migrantiq.app&hl=en] * Write for us [/write-for-us/] * Experts [/experts/] * Apply for expert listing [/experts/apply/] * Documentation [/documentation/] * Employers (HR) [/employers/] ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https://migrantiq.com/#organization","name":"MigrantIQ","url":"https://migrantiq.com","logo":"https://migrantiq.com/logo.png","description":"MigrantIQ publishes free migration guides covering visas, laws, costs, culture, banking, healthcare, scam alerts, and moving checklists for 220 countries.","knowsAbout":["immigration","visa requirements","moving abroad","cost of living","immigrant laws","scam protection","arrival checklists"],"sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/migrantiq/","https://x.com/MigrantIQ","https://www.instagram.com/migrantiqorg/","https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.migrantiq.app&hl=en"],"contactPoint":[{"@type":"ContactPoint","contactType":"customer support","email":"Info@MigrantIQ.com","url":"https://migrantiq.com/contact/","availableLanguage":["English"]}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https://migrantiq.com/#website","name":"MigrantIQ","url":"https://migrantiq.com","publisher":{"@id":"https://migrantiq.com/#organization"},"inLanguage":"en","potentialAction":{"@type":"SearchAction","target":"https://migrantiq.com/search/?q={search_term_string}","query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}}]} {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://migrantiq.com/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Scam Alerts","item":"https://migrantiq.com/scam-alerts/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Germany","item":"https://migrantiq.com/scam-alerts/germany/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"Fake Job Offer and Work Permit Fee","item":"https://migrantiq.com/scam-alerts/germany/fake-job-offer-work-permit-fee/"}]} {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"Article","@id":"https://migrantiq.com/scam-alerts/germany/fake-job-offer-work-permit-fee/#article","headline":"Fake Job Offer and Work Permit Fee in Germany: How to Spot and Avoid It","description":"## What is the Fake Job Offer and Work Permit Fee Scam?\n\nIn Germany, a prevalent scam involves fraudsters sending enticing job offers to individuals, particularly targeting job seekers, skilled workers, care workers, and hospitality workers. After expressing interest, victims are often asked to pay various fees related to obtaining work permits, medical examinations, insurance, accommodation, or document processing. These requests usually occur before any formal employment contract is signed or even before an interview takes place. The scammers exploit the urgency and desire of individuals to secure employment in Germany, leading them to believe that these payments are necessary for their visa or job confirmation.\n\n## How Can I Identify This Scam?\n\nRecognizing this scam can be challenging, especially for newcomers. Often, the job offers appear legitimate, with attractive salaries and benefits. 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