Fictional example

Fictional example library

Short fictional scenarios that show common opportunity-risk patterns without naming real employers.

Fictional example

WhatsApp admin job

Fictional message

Hi, your CV was shortlisted for an admin role. Pay R180 for background screening today to secure your interview slot. Send proof of payment and ID copy on WhatsApp.

Why it feels believable

Admin jobs are common and often shared quickly.
Background screening can sound like a normal hiring step.
The amount is small enough to feel harmless.

Warning signs

Payment is requested before employment.
The process stays on WhatsApp.
ID is requested before the employer and vacancy are checked.
There is pressure to act today.

What to verify

Search for the employer through a source you find yourself.
Check whether the vacancy appears on an official careers page or known job board.
Call the employer or recruiter using contact details found independently.

Do not do yet

Do not pay the screening fee.
Do not send ID or proof of payment.
Do not click unknown links in the message.

Start check

Fictional example

ID before interview

Fictional message

Please send your ID copy, proof of address, bank confirmation letter, and a selfie with your ID before we can tell you the company name.

Why it feels believable

Employers may request documents later in a real hiring process.
The request can sound like normal onboarding paperwork.
People may feel they must comply to keep the opportunity.

Warning signs

Sensitive documents are requested before a proper interview.
The employer name is not clear.
A selfie with ID can be misused.
Bank details are requested too early.

What to verify

Ask for the employer name, vacancy reference, and official application channel.
Check the recruiter or employer using a separate source.
Confirm why each document is needed and where it will be submitted.

Do not do yet

Do not send ID, proof of address, bank details, or selfies.
Do not upload documents to an untrusted form.
Do not continue if the recruiter refuses basic verification.

Start check

Fictional example

Government-looking post

Fictional message

Department vacancies now open. Apply through this form and pay R120 admin fee to reserve your interview. Logo and stamp attached.

Why it feels believable

Official-looking logos and stamps can make a message feel formal.
Government opportunities are widely shared in community groups.
A form can look more official than a plain message.

Warning signs

A fee is requested for a government-looking job.
The link is not clearly on an official .gov.za source.
A copied logo is used instead of an official vacancy page.
The post asks for quick action outside the official process.

What to verify

Check the Public Service Vacancy Circular or the relevant department website yourself.
Compare the vacancy reference, closing date, and application method.
Use official contact details, not the number in the forwarded post.

Do not do yet

Do not pay an admin fee.
Do not submit documents through a lookalike form.
Do not trust a logo as proof of an official post.

Start check

Fictional example

Travel tomorrow

Fictional message

You are selected for training tomorrow. Bring original documents and R350 transport cash. Do not tell anyone because spaces are limited.

Why it feels believable

Training can sound like a normal first step.
Urgent timelines can make the offer feel scarce.
Being selected can make someone feel they should not delay.

Warning signs

Travel is urgent and not properly checked.
Original documents and cash are requested.
The person is told to keep the trip quiet.
The meeting place is not clearly connected to the employer.

What to verify

Check the address, organiser, and employer through separate sources.
Tell someone you trust where you are going.
Confirm the meeting format, documents needed, and whether any payment is required.

Do not do yet

Do not travel alone to an unchecked location.
Do not carry original documents unless the process is clear.
Do not keep the opportunity secret from trusted people.

Start check

Fictional example

Task unlock fee

Fictional message

Earn commission by rating products. Deposit R300 to unlock your first task package and withdraw after five completed tasks.

Why it feels believable

Online task work can sound simple and flexible.
Commission language can make the process feel business-like.
Small deposits may seem recoverable.

Warning signs

Money is required to unlock tasks.
Earnings depend on repeated deposits or upgrades.
Withdrawals are delayed until more tasks or payments are completed.

What to verify

Search for independent information about the platform.
Check whether a real employer, contract, and payroll process exist.
Ask a trusted person to review the payment request before acting.

Do not do yet

Do not deposit money to unlock tasks.
Do not keep paying to release earnings.
Do not share bank or wallet details with an unchecked platform.

Start check

Fictional example

Money movement role

Fictional message

Work from home as a payment assistant. Receive client money into your account, buy vouchers, and keep 12 percent commission.

Why it feels believable

Remote assistant roles can sound normal.
Commission can make the role look like sales work.
The work may be presented as simple admin.

Warning signs

The role asks you to move money through a personal account.
Voucher or crypto purchases are requested.
There is no clear employer, contract, or payroll process.

What to verify

Ask why company funds would use a personal account.
Check the employer and role through separate sources.
Speak to a trusted person before accepting money movement tasks.

Do not do yet

Do not receive or move money for an unchecked job.
Do not buy vouchers or crypto for someone else.
Do not share account access, OTPs, or passwords.

Start check

Fictional example

Overseas job offer

Fictional message

Hotel jobs abroad available. Send passport scan and pay R900 visa processing fee today. Accommodation will be arranged after payment.

Why it feels believable

Overseas work can sound exciting and urgent.
Visa and accommodation language can feel official.
The offer may appeal to people looking for a fresh start.

Warning signs

Passport documents and payment are requested early.
Travel, accommodation, and employer details are unclear.
The process is rushed before documents are checked through official channels.

What to verify

Check the employer, visa process, and recruiter independently.
Use official travel and embassy guidance for the destination.
Speak to trusted people before sending documents or money.

Do not do yet

Do not send passport scans to an unchecked recruiter.
Do not pay visa or placement fees through a private channel.
Do not travel until the employer, route, and documents are clear.

Start check

Fictional example

Learnership or training fee

Fictional message

Guaranteed learnership placement. Pay R250 registration and R400 uniform fee before Friday to secure your space.

Why it feels believable

Learnerships and training programmes are common.
Uniform or registration language can sound administrative.
A deadline can make people act quickly.

Warning signs

Payment is required before the placement is checked.
The programme sponsor and training provider are unclear.
The offer claims a guaranteed placement before normal selection.

What to verify

Check the training provider and sponsor through independent sources.
Ask for written programme details and official application steps.
Confirm whether any cost is lawful and who receives it.

Do not do yet

Do not pay registration, uniform, or placement fees first.
Do not send documents to a private chat without checking the provider.
Do not rely only on a forwarded poster.

Start check

Fictional example

Work-from-home data entry role

Fictional message

Data capturers needed. No experience required. Earn R900 per day. Install our app and pay R150 activation to begin immediately.

Why it feels believable

Work-from-home roles are attractive and easy to share.
No-experience wording can appeal to first-time job seekers.
An app can make the process look organised.

Warning signs

Pay is unusually high for vague work.
An unknown app or download is required.
Activation payment is requested before work starts.

What to verify

Search for the employer and official careers page.
Check whether the app is from a trusted source.
Ask for a clear contract, duties, and payroll process.

Do not do yet

Do not install unknown apps or APKs.
Do not pay activation fees.
Do not enter ID, banking, or password details into an unchecked app.

Start check

Fictional example

Fake recruiter using a real company name

Fictional message

I recruit for a well-known retailer. Interviews are private today only. Reply with ID, bank confirmation, and R200 admin fee.

Why it feels believable

Real company names can make a message feel trustworthy.
Private recruiters sometimes contact people directly.
A known brand can reduce suspicion.

Warning signs

The recruiter relies on a real company name without an official channel.
Sensitive documents and money are requested together.
The process is private and urgent.

What to verify

Contact the company through details found on its official website.
Ask whether the recruiter and vacancy reference are known.
Check for the vacancy on the official careers page.

Do not do yet

Do not pay an admin fee.
Do not send ID or bank documents.
Do not trust a brand name without checking the actual channel.

Start check

Copy-ready replies

Use these short replies when you need to pause the conversation without accusing anyone.

Verification reply

Thanks for the message. Please send the employer name, vacancy reference, official careers link, and a switchboard number I can find independently before I continue.

Upfront-fee reply

I cannot pay application, admin, screening, training, uniform, or placement fees before work starts. Please send the official application process and employer contact details.

ID-document reply

I cannot send ID, proof of address, bank letters, selfies, OTPs, or passwords at this stage. Please send the employer name, vacancy reference, and official application channel first.

Government-job reply

Please send the department name, vacancy circular or reference, closing date, and official .gov.za page. I will check the post through official channels before I continue.

Travel/interview reply

Please send the employer name, exact interview address, contact person, written appointment details, and a switchboard number I can find independently. I will not travel until I have checked the details.

OTP/password reply

I cannot share OTPs, passwords, banking logins, card PINs, or account access for a job application. Please continue through the official application channel.

App/download reply

I cannot install unknown apps, APKs, browser extensions, or downloads from a job message. Please send the official website or app-store listing so I can check it first.

Money-movement reply

I cannot receive, move, convert, or send money or parcels through my personal account for a job. Please send a written contract, employer details, and payroll process.

Share with someone you trust before acting.

JobTsek is guidance only. Use these pages to slow down, then check important details through channels you find yourself.

Official sources

These links informed the FAQ. Use them to verify details directly before you pay, share documents, click links, or travel.

Department of Employment and LabourEmployment and Labour guidance on work seekers not paying employment-service fees.South African Police ServiceSAPS guidance for thinking before clicking and checking online sources.SAFPS Protective RegistrationIdentity-protection support after suspected identity misuse.