- A real employer never asks you to pay to get a job or to cash a cheque and send money back.
- Verify the company, the recruiter and the role before you share documents or bank details.
- Use trusted job boards, company career pages and your own network.
The Short Answer
Remote work is real, and many people earn a good income from it, but it also attracts scammers who target hopeful job seekers. A real employer pays you, never the other way around. Verify the company, the person contacting you and the role before you share personal documents or bank details. If a job sounds too easy and pays too well, slow down.
Where to Look
Start with the career pages of companies you admire, since many list remote roles directly. Use well-known job boards and professional networks, and set alerts for the roles you want. Tell people in your network that you are searching, as many jobs are filled through recommendations. Freelance platforms can also give you a first remote income. Our guide on starting freelancing shows how to begin.
Common Scam Patterns
| Warning sign | Why it is a problem |
|---|---|
| You must pay for training, equipment, a background check or a work permit | Genuine employers do not charge you to start work |
| You receive a cheque or payment and must send part of it back | The original payment is fake and will bounce, leaving you to pay |
| The job is offered after a chat-only interview with no video or call | Scammers avoid showing real identities |
| Large pay for simple tasks, with little experience needed | It is bait, and the real aim is your money or data |
| Early requests for your ID, bank details or passwords | They may be used for fraud or identity theft |
| Poor spelling, free email addresses and pressure to decide quickly | Real companies usually communicate more professionally |
How to Verify an Employer
Search for the company's official website and compare the job post with its career page. Check that the recruiter's email uses the company's domain, and look at the recruiter's profile and connections. Search the company name with words like “scam” or “reviews.” Ask for a video interview and a written offer, and read the contract carefully, including pay, hours, tax and how you will be paid.
Protect Your Information
Share your CV freely, but hold back your national ID, bank details and passwords until you have a verified offer. Use a separate email address for job hunting and a strong password with two-factor authentication. Our guide to password managers and 2FA explains how.
Getting Paid Safely
Agree the payment method and schedule in writing. Read about the best ways to receive foreign income in our guide to receiving international payments in Nigeria. Keep records of your invoices and ask a qualified professional about tax.
Prepare Your Application
Update your CV and profile using our CV and LinkedIn guide, and prepare a quiet space and reliable power and internet. See our home office guide for a simple setup.
If You Have Been Targeted
Stop all contact, keep screenshots, report the post to the job platform and tell your bank immediately if you sent money. Change passwords if you shared any, and warn friends. Report serious fraud to the appropriate authorities.
Action Checklist
- Search company career pages and trusted job boards
- Check the company website and the recruiter's email domain
- Search for reviews and scam warnings about the company
- Insist on a video interview and a written offer
- Never pay to get a job or send money back from a cheque
- Share ID and bank details only after a verified offer
- Report scams to the platform and your bank
