Immigration authorities have issued a stern warning to Zimbabwean nationals over the growing threat of fraudulent overseas job recruitment schemes, many of which are increasingly linked to human trafficking and exploitation.
In an interview with The Harare Post, yesterday, officials from the Immigration Department said they had observed a surge in Zimbabweans seeking employment abroad in response to online advertisements promising lucrative opportunities in countries such as the UK, UAE, Russia, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
“We have noted a surge in applications from Zimbabweans pursuing overseas jobs. What begins as hope for a better life often ends in disappointment, financial loss or worse,” said an immigration officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
“Many of these opportunities are being accessed through social media, with the most prominent example being of individuals being lured with promises of high salaries and easy placement to join foreign military.”
While acknowledging some opportunities of being legitimate, the official warned that numerous cases usually involve deceptive schemes that leave jobseekers stranded or exploited abroad.
“These recruiters often demand upfront payments for visas, travel arrangements or job placement. In some cases, they collect passports and personal documents. Upon arrival, victims discover there is no job waiting for them,” he said. “Once abroad, they become vulnerable and are often left without support. Families back home then struggle to trace them.”
Though the officer could not provide updated statistics, the officer cited official Government data presented to Parliament indicating that 69 human trafficking cases involving 139 Zimbabwean victims were recorded in 2022, with many victims recruited through social media under the guise of legitimate employment. He warned that the number of cases may have increased since then.
“Advanced technology even suggest that the cases could have doubled since then,” he added.
He added that in many instances, traffickers recruit jobseekers with promises of high wages and legal work, only for them to be subjected to forced labour, domestic servitude, or other forms of exploitation once abroad. The victims often have their passports confiscated and are left without support or means to return home.
30-year-old Zimbabwean woman, Talent Mandidya (not her real name), said she narrowly avoided falling victim to one such scheme.
“The adverts sounded like dream opportunities with high salaries, but when I asked for company registration documents, and details of the visa category, the responses were vague. That raised red flags,” she said.
Immigration experts warned that legitimate overseas employers never ask jobseekers to pay fees upfront or surrender passports. “Legitimate employers do not ask for money upfront. Always check references, and if something seems too good to be true, it probably is,” the immigration officer emphasized.
Authorities recommend jobseekers verify offers with official channels including embassies and the Ministry of Labour and Social welfare and only use accredited recruitment agencies, in an effort to curb trafficking and exploitation.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwean citizens are also encouraged to report suspicious job advertisements to the Ministry of Labour and local law enforcement to prevent further exploitation.
Potential red flags often associated with foreign employment recruitments:
- Requests for upfront payment for job placement, visas or travel
- No written contract or vague employment terms
- Tourist visas presented as work permits
- Pressure to make immediate payment due to ‘limited slots’
- Recruiters without a verifiable office address or licence
- Refusal to provide proof of company registration documents
