The Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment (BEOE) has warned citizens about fraudulent overseas job and visa offers.
The advisory specifically cautions applicants against trade test centres claiming they can arrange foreign employment or visas. The bureau clarified that such centres are not recruitment agencies.
Therefore, trade test centres have no legal authority to offer overseas employment visas. Their role begins only after the legal recruitment process has been initiated through a licensed Overseas Employment Promoter.
What Can Trade Test Centres Legally Do?
Trade test centres have a limited role in the overseas employment process. They can assess candidates’ technical and practical skills under the supervision or arrangements of a licensed Overseas Employment Promoter.
After conducting the required assessments, these centres may issue candidates’ test results. However, they cannot independently recruit workers or arrange overseas employment.
In particular, trade test centres cannot advertise overseas jobs or visas. They also cannot claim that visas are available or guarantee candidates employment or visas.
Moreover, they cannot independently send workers abroad or collect unauthorised fees for overseas jobs or visas.
How Can Applicants Verify Overseas Job Offers?
The bureau said private-sector overseas employment advertisements must come from a licensed Overseas Employment Promoter. The relevant Protector of Emigrants must also approve the advertisement before publication.
Furthermore, each advertisement must carry a valid permission or tracking number. Applicants can use this information to verify important employment details before proceeding.
The verification details include the employer, destination country and job title. They also cover the number of vacancies, salary and other employment terms.
As a result, applicants should carefully check these details before paying any money or proceeding with an overseas job offer.
BEOE Warns Against Fake Visa Claims
The bureau has specifically warned applicants about trade test centres claiming that visas are available. It said such claims should be treated as a serious indication of possible fraud.
Similarly, applicants should be cautious if a centre claims it can independently send them abroad for employment. Such activities fall outside the stated role of trade test centres.
The warning is particularly important for applicants who are actively seeking overseas employment. A job or visa claim should not be accepted simply because it comes from a trade test centre.
Do Not Leave Your Original Passport
The BEOE also advised applicants to remain careful when providing their identity documents. Candidates may show their original passport to a trade test centre for identification purposes.
However, they should not leave the original passport permanently with the centre. Applicants should therefore retain control of their important personal documents throughout the process.
They should also pay only clearly stated and verifiable official fees. In addition, applicants should obtain receipts for every payment they make.
The bureau advised citizens to avoid sending money to personal bank accounts or mobile wallets. This precaution can help applicants avoid suspicious payment arrangements linked to fraudulent employment offers.
Where Should Victims Report Fraud?
The BEOE has urged aspirants to take immediate action if a trade test centre demands money for a visa or overseas employment.
In such cases, applicants should file a complaint with the Federal Investigation Agency. Citizens should remain particularly cautious when centres make visa promises outside their authorised role.
By checking recruitment permissions, verifying employment details and keeping payment records, applicants can make the overseas job process more transparent and avoid potentially fraudulent claims.
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