--- title: Fake Job Offer and Work Permit Fee — Sri Lanka Scam Alert description: Active scam alert: Fake Job Offer and Work Permit Fee is targeting immigrants in Sri Lanka. 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 read3 reported cases Editorially reviewedLast updated 2026-10-04Reviewed by MigrantIQ Editorial TeamOfficial reporting channel ↗ [https://www.immigration.gov.lk/] 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 Sri Lanka, job seekers, particularly skilled and care workers, are increasingly targeted by scammers who send fake job offers. These fraudsters typically present enticing employment opportunities, often in sectors like hospitality or healthcare, and then request that applicants pay upfront fees for work permits, medical examinations, insurance, accommodation, or courier services. The scam often unfolds without any formal interview process, making it essential for job seekers to be vigilant. HOW DO SCAMMERS OPERATE THIS SCHEME? Once a victim expresses interest in the job, the scammer may send a seemingly legitimate job offer letter, sometimes with official-looking branding. They will then insist that the applicant must pay various fees before they can start working, often claiming that these fees are necessary for processing work permits or securing accommodations. Unfortunately, many victims find themselves out of pocket and without a job offer, as these positions do not exist. HOW CAN YOU IDENTIFY THIS SCAM? It's important for newcomers to be aware of this prevalent scam in Sri Lanka. Recognizing the signs can help protect potential job seekers from financial loss and unnecessary stress. Always approach unsolicited job offers with caution. RED FLAGS * Job offer arrives without an interview or skills assessment * Salary offered is significantly higher than the market rate * Employer demands upfront payment for immigration or recruitment fees * Company website, address, or registration cannot be verified * Communication is primarily through unofficial channels like personal email * Offers sound too good to be true or are overly vague about job details HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF To avoid falling victim to this scam, verify the legitimacy of the employer by checking official company registries and their contact information in Sri Lanka. Never pay recruitment or permit fees to personal accounts. Always confirm the legality of the employer and ensure that any job offer is accompanied by a formal interview process. Trust your instincts; if something feels off, it probably is. 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.immigration.gov.lk/] 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. * Sri Lanka official reporting channels [https://www.immigration.gov.lk/] 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/sri-lanka/document-translation-notary-overcharge/] * Fake Border, Airport, or Fast-Track Assistance Fee [/scam-alerts/sri-lanka/fake-border-airport-assistance-fee/] * Fake University or Scholarship Letter [/scam-alerts/sri-lanka/fake-university-or-scholarship-letter/] * Rental Deposit Before Viewing or Contract [/scam-alerts/sri-lanka/rental-deposit-before-viewing/] CONTINUE * All Sri Lanka alerts [/scam-alerts/sri-lanka/] * 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/] ARRIVAL HUBS * Settle [/settle/] * Driving [/driving/] * Sponsors [/sponsors/] * Ancestry [/ancestry/] * Housing [/housing/] * Money [/money/] * Family [/family/] * Pets [/pets/] * Shipping [/shipping/] * Investment [/investment/] * Retire [/retire/] * Return [/return/] * Safe migration [/safe-migration/] 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":"Sri Lanka","item":"https://migrantiq.com/scam-alerts/sri-lanka/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"Fake Job Offer and Work Permit Fee","item":"https://migrantiq.com/scam-alerts/sri-lanka/fake-job-offer-work-permit-fee/"}]} {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"Article","@id":"https://migrantiq.com/scam-alerts/sri-lanka/fake-job-offer-work-permit-fee/#article","headline":"Fake Job Offer and Work Permit Fee in Sri Lanka: How to Spot and Avoid It","description":"### What is the Fake Job Offer and Work Permit Fee Scam?\n\nIn Sri Lanka, job seekers, particularly skilled and care workers, are increasingly targeted by scammers who send fake job offers. These fraudsters typically present enticing employment opportunities, often in sectors like hospitality or healthcare, and then request that applicants pay upfront fees for work permits, medical examinations, insurance, accommodation, or courier services. The scam often unfolds without any formal interview process, making it essential for job seekers to be vigilant.\n\n### How do scammers operate this scheme?\n\nOnce a victim expresses interest in the job, the scammer may send a seemingly legitimate job offer letter, sometimes with official-looking branding. They will then insist that the applicant must pay various fees before they can start working, often claiming that these fees are necessary for processing work permits or securing accommodations. Unfortunately, many victims find themselves out of pocket and without a job offer, as these positions do not exist.\n\n### How can you identify this scam?\n\nIt's important for newcomers to be aware of this prevalent scam in Sri Lanka. 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