Randstad announced that it is aware of recent incidents involving individuals and/or organisations that are impersonating Randstad employees on messenger services Telegram and Whatsapp.

According to Randstad, scammers are actively targeting members of the public in Singapore by impersonating Randstad employees. The scammers used the full names and registered employment agency personnel numbers of recruitment consultants that they have retrieved from the Ministry of Manpower website to introduce themselves as Randstad employees to Telegram and Whatsapp users.

The targeted public members were often offered very attractive freelance or work-from-home job opportunities for extra income, high commissions, or both. In their text messages, the scammers asked users for NRIC (National Registration Identity Card) numbers, phone numbers and sometimes financial commitment through PayNow, PayLah!, digital banking transfer or wire transfer.

Randstad added that its employees do not use Telegram in their professional capacity and will only use their business email accounts (@randstad.com.sg), professional LinkedIn accounts, video conferencing and face-to-face meetings to engage with candidates throughout the recruitment process. It added that Randstad employees will never ask candidates whether they are above 18 years old or ask for their age on messaging platforms.

“Job offers made by Randstad employees will always include an employment contract that will only be sent to you from a business email account (@randstad.com.sg),” the company added.

In a warning message, Randstad said, “Please note that these individuals and/or organisations who are posting fraudulent job advertisements and requesting individuals to pay a sum of money or disclose their personal information, do not work for Randstad, any of our group of companies or the companies that we represent in any way. Do not share your personal and private information with scammers.”

Randstad Singapore also posted examples of job scams and more tips for candidates to protect themselves against job scams.