SF Express

Recruitment red flags — know before you sign

These are warning signs of fraudulent or non-compliant recruitment. They are not accusations against any specific company.

• ⚠Upfront placement fees demanded from you — illegal under MLC 2006 A1.4(5)(b).
• ⚠Payment requested for "visa processing" or "medical" — these costs must be borne by the employer or agency, not the seafarer (MLC A1.4(5)(b)).
• ⚠Pressure to transfer money to a personal or private bank account.
• ⚠Vague vessel details — no IMO number, no flag state, no agent address given before joining.
• ⚠No SEA (Seafarer Employment Agreement) / contract shown before you join or before travel.
• ⚠No official-domain email — "official" communications come from gmail.com, outlook.com, or similar free providers instead of a company domain.
• ⚠No agency licence number visible or verifiable with the issuing authority.
• ⚠Salary offer that seems "too good to be true" compared to published TCC / ITF industry wage surveys for your rank and vessel type.

These are warning signs, not accusations against any specific company. If you suspect a scam, report to the manning-agency licensing authority of the country claiming to issue the agency's licence.