Social-media recruitment warning

Why Facebook / Instagram / TikTok groups are now the highest-volume scam channel.

What it looks like

Posts in seafarer Facebook groups offering 'urgent vacancies' with generic offer cards, often impersonating real recruiters.

Red flags

• DMs that move quickly off-platform to WhatsApp / Telegram.
• Pages with low followers but high post frequency.
• Stolen real-recruiter photos used as profile picture.
• Comments from 'previous seafarers' that look templated.

How to verify

• Cross-check the recruiter on the regulator's licence directory.
• Search the recruiter's photo with reverse-image search.
• Report scam posts to the group moderator and to the platform.

Last verified 15 days ago