Flagged Agencies

Protect yourself from recruitment scams and unethical agencies

This page explains common warning signs, how to verify legitimacy, and what to do if you suspect misconduct. Below, you’ll find flagged profiles and documented concerns when available.

Report an agency See red flags Verification checklist
Important: “Flagged” does not always mean illegal activity. It indicates repeated complaints, missing verification, inconsistent details, or patterns that warrant extra caution. Always verify independently.
Payments
Upfront fees, “processing”, “insurance”, “training”
Contracts
No written offer, blank clauses, pressure to sign fast
Identity
No legal entity, no address, mismatched company details
Communication
Personal emails, evasive answers, no traceable contacts

Top red flags to watch for

One warning sign may be a mistake. Multiple warning signs together are a strong signal to pause and verify.

1) Money requested upfront

  • Fees for “placement”, “processing”, “registration”, “work permit help”, or “guarantee deposit”.
  • Requests for crypto, gift cards, money transfer apps, or payments to personal accounts.
  • “Refundable” deposits without clear written terms and verified company billing.

2) Missing or inconsistent company identity

  • No valid company name/registration number, or details change across messages and websites.
  • No physical address, or address is a mailbox/co-working without proof of tenancy.
  • Website lacks legal pages (terms, privacy, company identification) or is recently created.

3) Vague job details and unrealistic promises

  • Salary far above market without role specifics, location, hours, or employer name.
  • “Guaranteed job” language without interview, CV review, or eligibility checks.
  • Accommodation/transport promises without written conditions and documented costs.

4) Pressure tactics and secrecy

  • “Pay today or you lose the job” urgency, refusal to give time to review documents.
  • Discouraging you from telling family, or asking to communicate only on private chats.
  • Refusing video calls, refusing to provide verifiable references or employer contacts.

5) Contract problems

  • No written contract before travel, or contract differs from what was promised.
  • Blank sections, missing wage/hours, or clauses that allow arbitrary deductions.
  • Requests to hand over passport, bank card, or sign documents you cannot read.

6) Review manipulation and reputation signals

  • Many reviews posted in short bursts, similar wording, or accounts with no history.
  • Threatening reviewers or demanding removal instead of responding transparently.
  • Frequent company name changes with the same contacts and website structure.

Verification checklist (before you share documents or travel)

Use this quick checklist to reduce risk.

1
Confirm legal entity
Verify the company registration, legal name, and address in an official business registry.
2
Match contacts
Ensure website domain, email, and phone numbers match the registered business identity.
3
Demand written terms
Get salary, hours, location, deductions, and housing details in writing before any payment or travel.
4
Never pay upfront to personal accounts
Avoid payments that cannot be traced to a company invoice and verified billing information.
5
Verify the end employer
If possible, confirm the employer exists and is expecting your application/arrival.
6
Protect your documents
Share only necessary documents. Watermark copies. Never hand over passport for “safekeeping”.

How a listing becomes “Flagged”

We mark agencies for caution when we see patterns that warrant extra verification or transparency.

Repeated complaints

Multiple reports across time indicating similar issues or behavior patterns.

Verification gaps

Missing legal identity, unclear address, inconsistent contact data, or refusal to confirm details.

High-risk signals

Upfront payment requests, identity inconsistencies, or contract/document red flags.

Flagged agency listings appear below.