Tick anything that happened with this offer, or paste the message you received.
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Is this Gulf job offer real or a scam?
Tick what happened with your job offer, or paste the message, to see its scam risk and the red flags behind it. Then follow the steps to verify the offer yourself before you pay, resign or travel.
We scan it for red-flag phrases in your browser. Nothing is sent anywhere.
How the scam risk is rated
The checker weighs 10 warning signs that show up again and again in fake Gulf job offers. Being asked to pay, or to pay through Western Union, crypto or a personal account, makes the risk High on its own, because genuine UAE employers are not allowed to charge workers recruitment costs. Other signs, like a free email address, no interview or pressure to act fast, add up: together they can push an offer to Medium or High. If you paste the message, the tool highlights the phrases it matched.
- High risk
- A money request, or several warning signs together. Don't pay or send documents.
- Medium risk
- One or two warning signs. Verify the company and offer before going further.
- Low risk
- No major warning signs in your answers. Not a guarantee: still verify.
- MOHRE offer letter
- The official UAE job offer an employer issues through the Ministry, which you approve before the work permit.
Example job offers and their risk
Three typical situations, rated by the tool above.
| Situation | Red flags | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| 'Selected' by WhatsApp, visa fee requested | Asked to pay a fee, Untraceable payment method, Free or mismatched email domain, Offer without an interview, Salary far above market, Pressure and urgency, Chat-only contact | High risk |
| Gmail recruiter, no interview, no fee yet | Free or mismatched email domain, Offer without an interview | Medium risk |
| Interviewed, company email, MOHRE offer to sign | None | Low risk |
Illustrative examples, not real companies.
What this checker can't do
- It doesn't check MOHRE, trade licence registries or any government record. Only you can verify an offer through official channels.
- A clever scam can show no red flags, and a genuine offer can trip one (for example, a recruiter who uses WhatsApp).
- Fee rules here are UAE-focused. Other GCC countries have their own rules, so check with that country's labour ministry.
- Free-zone employers issue offers through their free-zone authority rather than MOHRE.
Data Sources
- Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 regulating labour relations (MOHRE) (2021)
- Receiving a job offer, UAE Government portal (u.ae) (2026)
- Issuance of a new work permit (overseas), MOHRE services directory (2026)
- MoHRE warns UAE jobseekers of fake job offers and visa scams, Gulf News (2025)
- eCrime platform, UAE police (2026)
Before you accept a Gulf offer
Once you know the offer is real, check the visa route and what life and work look like in that country:
Frequently asked questions
Is it legal for a UAE employer to charge me a visa or recruitment fee?
No. Under the UAE labour law (Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021), the employer may not charge the worker recruitment fees or costs, and pays for the work permit and residence visa. Any request for a visa fee, processing fee or refundable deposit is a strong sign the offer is fake.
How do I verify a job offer letter from the UAE?
For UAE mainland private-sector jobs, the employer issues the offer through the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) and sends it to you to review and approve before applying for your work permit. The official offer has a transaction number you can check yourself on MOHRE's website, app or customer service. Also confirm the company exists by contacting it on details you found independently.
Does this tool check the offer with MOHRE?
No. It only looks for common warning signs in your answers and the text you paste. It doesn't connect to MOHRE, any registry or any government system. Use the steps in the result to verify the offer yourself through official channels.
Recruiters in the Gulf use WhatsApp. Does that mean it's a scam?
Not on its own. WhatsApp is widely used by Gulf recruiters. It becomes a warning sign when it is the only contact, when they refuse a call or video interview, and especially when it's combined with a request for money or documents.
What should I do if I already paid a fake recruiter?
Stop paying, even if they promise a refund after 'one more fee'. Keep all messages, receipts and account details, contact your bank or transfer service straight away, and report it. In the UAE you can report online fraud on the police eCrime platform (ecrime.ae); outside the UAE, report to your local police and cybercrime unit.
Are offers from recruitment agencies safe?
Licensed agencies are legitimate and, in the UAE, they may not charge workers for placement. Ask the agency for its licence details and verify them with MOHRE, never pay the agency yourself, and check that the employer named in the offer is real.
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