Avoiding job scams & illegal agents

Coming to Singapore for work is a big decision, and a big cost. Sadly, this also makes migrant workers a target for scammers who promise good jobs and then disappear with your money. The good news: a real, licensed agency will never ask you to do the things scammers ask for. This guide shows you how to tell the difference, and exactly who to contact if you think you have been scammed.

Rule number one: never pay for a "guaranteed job"

No honest employer or licensed agency can "guarantee" you a job in exchange for money paid up front. Only Singapore's Ministry of Manpower (MOM) approves a work pass — not an agent, not a "contact inside the company," and not a middleman. If someone tells you a large payment will guarantee your approval or your job, this is a warning sign of a scam.

A licensed agency in Singapore may only charge you a service fee that follows MOM's rules, and only in connection with real, verifiable services. It should never feel like you are buying a job.

How to check if an agency is really MOM-licensed

Before you trust any agency or agent — in Singapore or in your home country — verify them yourself. It takes two minutes and it is completely free.

1. Go to MOM's Employment Agencies Directory (link below) and search the agency's name or its EA Licence number.
2. Check that the licence status shows Valid — not suspended or revoked — and check the validity dates.
3. Click through to see the list of registered EA Personnel. The specific person you are dealing with should be named there. If they are not, be cautious.
4. A real licensed agency will have no problem with you checking. If an "agent" discourages you from verifying, or has no licence number at all, treat that as a serious red flag.

Warning signs of a job scam

Be extra careful if you notice any of these:

• Payment before anything is confirmed. You are asked to transfer money, often to a personal bank account, before you have a signed contract or any proof the job is real.
• No licence, or a licence number that doesn't check out on MOM's directory.
• Contact out of nowhere — a stranger messages you on WhatsApp, Facebook, Telegram or a similar app, offering a job you never applied for.
• Salary that sounds too good for the work described, with few or no real qualifications needed.
• Requests for your Singpass password, one-time passwords (OTPs), or QR codes — no genuine employer or agency ever needs these.
• Pressure and urgency — "pay today or lose the job," "limited spots," constant reminders to hurry.
• Your passport is taken and not returned. By law, no employer or agency may withhold your passport from you — you should always be able to get it back when you ask.
• Vague answers about the actual employer, worksite, or job duties, or you're told to "wait for someone to contact you" after you arrive.

Be careful with WhatsApp, Facebook and Telegram job offers

Many job scams today start with a friendly message on social media or WhatsApp — sometimes from someone claiming to be a friend of a friend, or an existing worker at a company. Real recruitment happens through a company or a licensed agency you can check, not through an anonymous chat account.

Before you respond seriously to any offer that reaches you this way:

• Ask for the agency's name and EA Licence number, and verify it yourself on MOM's directory — don't rely on a screenshot or a document they send you.
• Never send money, your passport, banking details, or Singpass details to someone you only know through chat.
• Try to confirm independently — for example, by calling the company directly using a number you find yourself, not one given by the person contacting you.
• If in doubt, call the ScamShield Helpline (1799) and ask before you act.

What fees are actually legal

A licensed agency may charge a worker a service fee, but it is capped by MOM: no more than one month of your fixed salary for each year of your work contract, up to a maximum of two months' salary in total. This is based on your basic salary plus fixed allowances — not bonuses or overtime. Any fee above this cap is against the law. For the full picture, see our guide on agency fees and your rights.

Remember: the levy paid to the government for hiring a foreign worker is an employer's cost. It is never something a worker should be asked to pay.

If you think you've been scammed — what to do

Common questions

Do I have to pay before I get a job? No. No genuine employer or licensed agency demands large payment up front for a "guaranteed" job.

Is it okay to accept an offer from someone I only know through WhatsApp or Facebook? Treat it with caution. Verify the person and the agency independently before you trust or pay anyone.

What if I already paid an illegal agent? Report it — to the police, ScamShield and MOM — as soon as possible. We cannot promise you will get your money back, but reporting quickly gives you the best chance and helps stop the same person from scamming others.