You've probably seen news articles about how traffickers are using job scams to take victims abroad or luring them with promises of romance through love scams. Using our hopes for love and dreams of a better life, traffickers take advantage of what we want and need.
So the next time you're thinking about applying for an overseas job or going overseas to meet a friend or girlfriend/boyfriend you've only met online, look out for these red flags and use our checklist on safely migrating abroad!
Companies have registered business names and registration numbers that you can look up online in their country’s company registration database. If the company isn’t registered in their country, they cannot legally hire you! If you can’t verify them online, think again - are they even a real company?
If the employer asks you to sign a contract in a language that you don’t understand or refuses to give you a signed contract, that’s a big red flag! A good tip is to read the fine print and ensure that the contract is signed in the language that you understand.
Did you get an instant job offer? Are they willing to offer huuuuuge pay for minimal qualifications and work experience? And on top of that, are they paying for all your flights, hotel accommodations, and giving you relocation allowances? That’s pretty obsessive boyfriend behaviour sus…
Working overseas with a tourist visa is considered a violation of visa rules. After securing a job overseas, you are required to apply for a work visa which should be initiated by the employer.
Moving abroad usually means lots of paperwork, application fees, and even trips to government offices. If a company or agency claims they’ll "handle everything" for you, take it as a warning sign.
If someone you meet online declares their love for you, ask yourself, are they sincere? This isn’t Disney. Your feelings might be real - but love‑bombing is a tactic scammers and traffickers use to manipulate victims into doing what they want.
They tell you to drop everything and be with them in their country. No proper immigration, just a tourist visa. “We’ll sort out the rest later,” they say. This is exactly how traffickers trap victims, leaving them stranded and powerless without legal status.