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The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has issued multiple warnings this year about fake job offers, according to reports in Gulf News. In its article titled “UAE job scams: 5 red flags to watch for before accepting an interview,” the publication outlined five red flags to watch for before accepting an interview. These indicators help applicants distinguish between legitimate opportunities and potential frauds that have targeted both residents and those applying from abroad.
Gulf News reported that being asked to pay for an interview or job offer stands as one of the primary red flags. The article explained that upfront fees for application, training, registration or visa processing should never be paid by the jobseeker. Official employment offers for regulated jobs come through the MOHRE system, which allows verification prior to any hiring steps, the publication noted.
According to the same Gulf News report, an inability to verify the company or recruiter should also prompt caution. Jobseekers can confirm a business’s legitimacy through official licence verification services provided by the UAE Government and the relevant emirate’s economic department. Applicants should reach out to the employer using contact information found independently rather than details supplied by the recruiter.
Gulf News further indicated that requests for personal or banking information represent another significant warning sign. Scammers often seek copies of passports, Emirates ID, bank account details, card information, passwords or one-time passwords instead of or in addition to money. A separate Gulf News article from August 2026 stated that under UAE labour law employers cannot charge workers for any recruitment or employment costs either directly or indirectly.
A Gulf News report on October 24 detailed a Dubai Police warning about fake part-time job offers that seek banking details, OTPs or payments to secure work. The Anti-Fraud Centre urged residents to verify employers through official channels and never share banking details, disclose one-time passwords or pay money to secure a job. Police said scammers often exploit people seeking additional income by advertising attractive part-time opportunities that may appear legitimate but are designed to facilitate fraud or other criminal activities.
An October 2 Gulf News story quoted the ministry as urging applicants inside and outside the UAE not to begin recruitment procedures until confirming an offer’s authenticity via the approved form that includes a barcode. The ministry’s approved template ensures the offer can be cross-checked against its records. This verification process has become increasingly important as scammers continue to impersonate well-known companies by copying logos and branding.
