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🇩🇪 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 ↗

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 →

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
Use official reporting channels if you were targeted or lost money.

Who is targeted

job seekersskilled workerscare workershospitality workers

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Scam safety FAQ

Legitimate government fees are paid through official channels with receipts. Never wire cash to personal accounts for a “guaranteed” outcome.

Collect evidence (messages, contracts), then report through your destination country’s fraud or immigration reporting channels and warn your community.