--- title: Fake Job Offer and Work Permit Fee — United Kingdom Scam Alert description: Active scam alert: Fake Job Offer and Work Permit Fee is targeting immigrants in United Kingdom. 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.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration] 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 the United Kingdom, job seekers, particularly skilled workers and those in care or hospitality, are increasingly targeted by fraudsters offering fake job opportunities. These scammers typically send emails or messages claiming to be from legitimate companies, often including enticing salary packages. However, they will then request that applicants pay various fees upfront. This can include costs for work permits, medical examinations, insurance, accommodation, courier services, or document processing, all under the guise of securing employment. HOW CAN I IDENTIFY A FAKE JOB OFFER? Many victims fall prey to these scams due to the lack of a formal interview process. Job offers may appear in your inbox without any prior communication or assessment of your skills. these offers often promise salaries that are significantly higher than the market average, raising suspicions. WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I SUSPECT A SCAM? If you believe you have encountered a fake job offer, you should act quickly. Report the incident to local authorities such as the Action Fraud helpline or the police. consult the official UK government immigration website for genuine information regarding visas and work permits. Being aware of these scams is vital for your safety and financial security as you pursue job opportunities in the UK. 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 protect yourself from fake job offers, always verify the employer through official company registries and contact details available in the UK. Avoid paying recruitment or work permit fees to personal bank accounts. Confirm the legitimacy of the job offer by checking the company's website and its registration status. ensure that any communication comes from a professional email address rather than a personal one. Conduct thorough research on the job market rates to identify suspiciously high salary offers. 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.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration] 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. * United Kingdom official reporting channels [https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration] 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/united-kingdom/document-translation-notary-overcharge/] * Fake Border, Airport, or Fast-Track Assistance Fee [/scam-alerts/united-kingdom/fake-border-airport-assistance-fee/] * Fake University or Scholarship Letter [/scam-alerts/united-kingdom/fake-university-or-scholarship-letter/] * Rental Deposit Before Viewing or Contract [/scam-alerts/united-kingdom/rental-deposit-before-viewing/] CONTINUE * All United Kingdom alerts [/scam-alerts/united-kingdom/] * 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":"United Kingdom","item":"https://migrantiq.com/scam-alerts/united-kingdom/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"Fake Job Offer and Work Permit Fee","item":"https://migrantiq.com/scam-alerts/united-kingdom/fake-job-offer-work-permit-fee/"}]} {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"Article","@id":"https://migrantiq.com/scam-alerts/united-kingdom/fake-job-offer-work-permit-fee/#article","headline":"Fake Job Offer and Work Permit Fee in United Kingdom: How to Spot and Avoid It","description":"### What is the Fake Job Offer and Work Permit Fee Scam?\n\nIn the United Kingdom, job seekers, particularly skilled workers and those in care or hospitality, are increasingly targeted by fraudsters offering fake job opportunities. These scammers typically send emails or messages claiming to be from legitimate companies, often including enticing salary packages. However, they will then request that applicants pay various fees upfront. This can include costs for work permits, medical examinations, insurance, accommodation, courier services, or document processing, all under the guise of securing employment.\n### How Can I Identify a Fake Job Offer?\n\nMany victims fall prey to these scams due to the lack of a formal interview process. Job offers may appear in your inbox without any prior communication or assessment of your skills. these offers often promise salaries that are significantly higher than the market average, raising suspicions.\n### What Should I Do if I Suspect a Scam?\n\nIf you believe you have encountered a fake job offer, you should act quickly. 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