How Not to Become a Victim of Scammers When Job Hunting

Main Types of Scam Schemes

• Advance Payment Requests Scammers present this as payment for medical fees, visas, registration, or document notarization.
• Personal Data Extraction They ask for copies of passports, maritime documents, certificates for supposedly securing employment.
• Unrealistic Promises They offer excessively high salaries without the necessary qualifications or experience.

Tips from ITF

“Advance payment for employment on ships is prohibited by international conventions. If someone asks you for something, it’s worth being cautious. Do not trust ads that resemble official websites, as well as 'reputable' sites where unverified vacancies suddenly appear. Check the company’s reputation, look for reviews, and do not neglect a simple search of 'company name + scam.'” — (ITF)

How Scammers Operate

• They create professionally looking websites with fake addresses and contact details.
• They disguise themselves as well-known companies, using similar names and logos.
• They demand payment for plane tickets or other "mandatory fees" before employment.
• They communicate only through messengers and avoid official email domains.

First Steps for Protection

1. Never transfer money for a "guaranteed vacancy" or "expedited document processing."
2. Verify websites and contacts through official registries and seafarers' unions.
3. Research reviews online: use search queries with keywords "scam," "fraud," "мошенники."
4. If in doubt, contact the seafarers' union or ITF: [email protected]

Basic Verification Methods

• Check Contact Details:
  • Real companies use corporate email (@companyname.com), not free services (@gmail.com)
  • A physical office address should be provided, which can be verified
  • A landline phone for contact, not just mobile numbers
• Analyze Communication:
  • Pay attention to the quality of language: professional companies do not allow numerous grammatical errors
  • Legitimate offers do not contain urgent demands to "pay now or lose the opportunity"
  • Official correspondence is conducted on company letterhead with seals and signatures
• Documents and Contract:
  • Require a written employment contract (SEA) before paying any fees
  • The contract must comply with the ILO Convention (MLC 2006)
  • The exact hiring date, vessel name, and working conditions must be specified

When to Be Cautious

• The vacancy is offered through WhatsApp or social media without official confirmation
• There is no information about the vessel or a job is offered on a vessel with a "new name"
• You cannot find mentions of the company in official sources
• You are pressured for an urgent decision and quick payment under the pretext of "other candidates are waiting"
• Interviews are conducted only online or in unofficial locations

Useful Resources for Basic Verification

• ITF Seafarers — information about working conditions and warnings about scammers
• ShipBeSure — ITF service for checking crewing agencies
• International Labour Organization (ILO) — labor standards and maritime conventions

For Additional Protection

For a more in-depth verification of the vessel and company using OSINT tools, read our article “Vessel Verification Through Open Sources”, where you will learn about special methods for verifying the existence of a vessel and its history.

Take care of yourself and share these recommendations with your fleet colleagues!