Fake job offer checklist

A short, repeatable checklist a seafarer can run against any offer before sending money, documents, or signing — combines the recruitment-fee, vessel-naming, licence-verification, and contract-substitution patterns into one decision tool.

What it looks like

An offer arrives that looks too clean — a glossy PDF, a friendly recruiter, an above-market wage, and a tight 'sign before Friday' window. Some legitimate offers also look like this; the distinguishing feature is what the recruiter does when you start asking verification questions. Real recruiters answer the questions; scam recruiters change the subject, raise the urgency, or vanish.

Red flags

• Any payment requested as a condition of the offer — recruitment fee, training fee, visa fee, medical fee, 'processing'.
• Vessel name / IMO not disclosed before commitment.
• Principal shipowner not named.
• No verifiable licence number from the national regulator.
• Free email domain (Gmail / Yahoo / Outlook) or social-media-only contact.
• Wage materially above the published range for the rank / vessel.
• Pressure to respond within 24–48 hours.
• Written SEA refused or delayed beyond pre-travel.

How to verify

• Run the offer through the [manning-agency scam checker](/tools/manning-agency-scam-checker).
• Cross-check the agency on [/manning-agencies/registry](/manning-agencies/registry) and on the national regulator's directory.
• Cross-check the principal on [/companies](/companies).
• Verify the vessel on [/ships](/ships) or the flag-state register.
• Compare the wage against [/salaries](/salaries) — see [the wage checker](/tools/wage-checker).
• Run the SEA through the [contract red-flag checker](/tools/contract-red-flag-checker) before signing.
• Confirm financial security (MLC A2.5.2 + A4.2.1) — ask which P&I cover applies.
• Brief a shoreside contact (family, friend, or your union) on the offer before flying.

What to do if you have already been hit

1. If you have already sent money — see [what to do if you paid a scammer](/scams/what-to-do-if-you-paid-a-scammer).
2. If you have already sent original documents — file a police report and contact your flag-state issuing authority.
3. Save every message, contract draft, transfer receipt, and screenshot before the recruiter disappears.

Last verified 15 days ago