When TJ was approached by a recruiter for a position at a prestigious company, he was thrilled, believing he had secured his ideal job. However, there was a catch – he needed to obtain a certification to qualify for the final interview stage. TJ searched for ways to complete this certification, discovering it was only available in-person at a few foreign universities. He found one institute offering it online, which coincidentally was also recommended by the recruiter. TJ, who preferred not to disclose his full name, shared with Khaleej Times: "This should have alerted me, but I didn't notice it at the time." The certification cost Dh7,000, which he had to charge to his credit card due to his financial constraints. After completing the course, the recruiter disappeared, deleting her LinkedIn profile and cutting off all contact. TJ recounted: "It was a horrible experience. However, I believe my certification remains valid as the course was comprehensive, and I studied diligently to pass the exam, despite the job offer falling through."
TJ, who works in the media sector, is among several individuals deceived into taking a course under false promises of employment. While the certification and knowledge gained might be valuable, this deception is a common tactic used by fraudulent recruiters. TJ noted: "After sharing my experience on LinkedIn, many others contacted me, revealing they too had encountered similar situations, with some claiming to recruit for major companies like Emirates and AlUla." Sangeetha B., an Indian expat in the same industry, also faced a similar scenario earlier this year. She was approached on LinkedIn to complete the same certification from the same university but avoided the scam by finding a job in Dubai later.
Mohammed Nasrullah, an HR Manager at Sadeco Décor in Sharjah, highlighted that it is unusual for reputable companies to require certifications for advancing in the interview process. He advised job seekers to be wary of unsolicited certification requests and to verify the credibility of the institutions offering them. He cautioned: "Certifications can enhance your CV if they are relevant and from recognized bodies. However, companies scrutinize the credibility of these bodies, and less reputable ones do not significantly boost an applicant's profile."
In the past, job seekers in the UAE have been victims of various scams, including fake certifications and recruitment fees. One notable scam involved recruitment agents demanding payments under various pretexts, all of which are illegal in the UAE. Additionally, some applicants were asked to pay for fake certificates from reputable institutions, a punishable offense in the country.
In a similar case, a fresh graduate, Mohammed, was asked to complete a certification for a final interview round in the UAE. He was approached by a recruitment agency based in Riyadh for a role in Dubai, offering a salary of Dh16,000 plus benefits. After three rounds of interviews, he was instructed to complete a certification in Global Islamic Banking and Finance from an e-university. His uncle, Anwar, intervened, suspecting the offer was dubious and advised against pursuing it. Anwar noted: "My nephew was initially excited about the offer, but his dreams were dashed when we investigated further. He has been deeply affected by this experience."
TJ was directed to an American institute claiming to offer 44 unique certifications and boasting a long history and prominent clients. However, the institute's website was filled with spelling errors and suspicious details. Similarly, the university Mohammed was directed to had numerous red flags, including a lack of contact information and unclear course details. The certification in Global Islamic Banking and Finance, despite positive reviews, raised further suspicions when the customer service claimed it was accredited by a non-existent council in the UAE.
