Fake LinkedIn recruiter scam

How fake recruiter scams work

Scammers create fake LinkedIn profiles — often using photos of real people — and reach out to job seekers with appealing opportunities. The role becomes increasingly elaborate until they ask for documents, money, or bank details.

How to verify a recruiter is genuine

• Find the company's official website and look for a Careers or HR contact
• Search the recruiter's name and company on LinkedIn — does their profile look established?
• Call the company's main switchboard independently to confirm the recruiter works there
• Search their email domain — does it match the company's official domain?
• Google the recruiter's name + "scam" or "fraud"

Signs a LinkedIn profile is fake

• Profile created recently with few connections
• Profile photo looks like a stock image (use Google reverse image search)
• Employment history is vague or inconsistent
• No endorsements or mutual connections