Jobstreet by SEEK Exposes APAC Employment Fraud Trends

Jobstreet by SEEK Exposes APAC Employment Fraud Trends

Fraud Awareness Week: A Spotlight on Job Market Scams

During International Fraud Awareness Week, SEEK—the parent company of Jobstreet and Jobsdb—released new insights into employment fraud across the Asia-Pacific region. The findings are sobering. Fraudsters are no longer relying on crude tactics. They are adapting, evolving, and exploiting local job market conditions with alarming precision. Jobstreet by SEEK Exposes APAC Employment Fraud Trends

Between July 2024 and June 2025, SEEK’s fraud detection systems uncovered sophisticated targeting strategies across Australia, New Zealand, and six Asian markets: Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. The Philippines emerged as the second-most targeted country, accounting for 20% of APAC fraud attempts, trailing only Indonesia, which dominated with 38% of APAC fraud attempts and 62% of Asian market fraud.

I’ve always believed that fraud thrives where opportunity meets desperation. For readers, this means awareness is not optional—it’s essential. And yes, it also means you should probably think twice before clicking on that “urgent hiring” ad promising six figures for entry-level work.

Vulnerable Roles: Where Scammers Strike Most

SEEK’s analysis revealed that Administration and Office Support roles remain the primary target across Asia, representing 29% of fraudulent job ads. These roles often don’t require specialized degrees or extensive experience, making them attractive bait for scammers.

Manufacturing, Transport, and Logistics roles accounted for 16% of fraud attempts, exploiting workers seeking immediate employment. Sales roles also featured prominently, with fraudsters dangling commission-based earnings to lure job seekers in urgent need of income.

In the Philippines, scammers most frequently targeted Accounting, Sales, Healthcare and Medical, Administration and Office Support, Manufacturing, Transportation, and Logistics.

Tom Rhind, SEEK’s Head of Trust & Safety, explained: “Administration and office support roles are particularly vulnerable because they typically don’t require specialised degrees or extensive experience. Sales positions show similar patterns, as these roles often promise immediate employment and commission-based earnings that appeal to job seekers in urgent need of income.” Jobstreet by SEEK Exposes APAC Employment Fraud Trends

I’ve always said that scammers love scale. For readers, this means entry-level categories create larger pools of potential victims. And yes, it also means that if a job ad looks too good to be true, it probably is.

Fair Hiring Controls in Action

Jobstreet by SEEK, as the Philippines’ leading employment marketplace, has implemented fair hiring controls to safeguard job seekers. These include:

• Scanning 4.3 million APAC job ads, with 8% escalated for manual review.
• Preventing 3,600 hirers who failed onboarding assessments from entering SEEK’s platforms.
• Closing 650 hirer accounts for fraud or high-risk behavior.
• Removing nearly 2,800 risky ads.
• Reviewing 22,000 suspicious ads reported by candidates.

The Trust & Safety team operates detailed checks to ensure hirers are legitimate, while automated and manual moderation screens job advertisements. Candidates are empowered with reporting tools to flag suspicious postings.

I’ve always argued that prevention is better than cure. For readers, this means Jobstreet is actively filtering out bad actors before they reach you. And yes, it also means you can finally stop worrying that every job ad is a potential scam—though vigilance is still key.

Combating AI-Powered Fraud

Fraudsters are getting smarter. Recently, scammers have increasingly used artificial intelligence to create more sophisticated scams. They impersonate SEEK and Jobstreet to contact candidates through SMS, messaging apps, and social media platforms. In the Philippines, Viber has become one of the most common channels for these scams.

To combat these threats, Jobstreet by SEEK continuously enhances its fraud detection with:

• Automated blocking of suspicious activity.
• Improved verification processes for hirers.
• Collaboration with government and industry partners.
• Security & Privacy Hub to educate candidates on scams, unfair hiring practices, safe job searching, and online protection tips.

I’ve always said that AI is a double-edged sword. For readers, this means scammers are using the same tools that legitimate businesses use—but platforms like Jobstreet are fighting back with smarter detection. And yes, it also means you should probably stop trusting random job offers that slide into your DMs.

Building a Safe Employment Marketplace

Dannah Majaracon, Jobstreet by SEEK’s Managing Director in the Philippines, emphasized: “Jobstreet by SEEK is committed to creating a safe and trusted employment marketplace. That is why we encourage all hirers and job seekers to use legitimate job platforms to ensure that every connection leads to real opportunities.”

This commitment reflects a broader mission: to protect candidates from exploitative recruitment and modern slavery, while ensuring hirers are legitimate and trustworthy.

I’ve always believed that trust is the currency of digital platforms. For readers, this means every job search should start with platforms that prioritize safety. And yes, it also means you can finally stop relying on sketchy Facebook groups for job hunting.

My Take: Why This Matters

Fraud is one of those issues that never goes away—it just evolves. What makes SEEK’s findings important is the scale and sophistication of the scams. Fraudsters are adapting to local conditions, targeting vulnerable roles, and using AI to make their schemes more convincing.

What I like most is Jobstreet’s proactive stance. By combining automated detection, manual review, and candidate education, they’re building a safer ecosystem for job seekers.

For readers, the benefit is clear: you’re getting a marketplace that doesn’t just connect you to jobs—it protects you from scams. And yes, it also means you can finally job hunt with less paranoia, though a healthy dose of skepticism is still your best friend.

Technology That Serves Job Seekers

At its core, this is about technology serving job seekers. Fraud detection systems, AI-powered blocking, and reporting tools are not just technical features—they’re shields against exploitation.

For readers, this means you’re part of a safer, smarter employment ecosystem. Every click, every application, and every interview is backed by systems designed to protect you. And yes, it also means you can finally say that your job search is powered by more than luck—it’s powered by trust and technology.

For more information on Jobstreet by SEEK’s efforts to combat employment fraud, check out their official Facebook page @JobstreetPH or YouTube channel @JobStreetPhilippines. For more information, visit https://ph.employer.seek.com/.