NAIROBI, Kenya — If you’ve recently seen glowing ads promising job placements in rural South Korea, it might be time to hit the brakes.
The Kenyan government is sounding the alarm over fraudulent job offers purportedly linked to employment in South Korea.
In a statement issued on Thursday, May 8, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs clarified that neither it nor any official agency is conducting a recruitment drive for work opportunities in the East Asian nation.
“We strongly advise all Kenyans to avoid engaging with any agencies or individuals offering jobs in South Korea without paper verification,” said Roseline Njogu, Principal Secretary for Diaspora Affairs.
The bogus listings point to positions in “Rural Plus Centres” located in the South Korean counties of Haenam, Wando, Jindo, Yeongam, and Jangheung, all within Jeollanam-do Province.
But according to PS Njogu, investigations by the Kenya Embassy in Seoul in collaboration with South Korean authorities have concluded that these opportunities are completely fabricated.
“In line with our mandate to protect Kenyans abroad, we worked closely with local authorities and confirmed these job offers are not genuine,” she said.
Adding to the red flags, the South Korean companies mentioned in the ads have publicly denied involvement and stated they have no ties to any recruitment agents operating in Kenya.
Scammers Still Targeting Kenyans Abroad
This isn’t the first time hopeful job seekers have been targeted. Over the past year, several incidents have surfaced involving fake job placements in Asian nations, particularly where recruitment scams promise high pay, low barriers to entry, and fast processing.
The allure of opportunities abroad remains strong—but officials are urging citizens to verify all job offers through legitimate government channels.
Kenyans are being reminded to stay vigilant and consult the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the official Diaspora Affairs Department before acting on overseas job offers, especially those requiring upfront payments or vague travel arrangements.
A Call for Caution
In an increasingly digital world, online scams evolve faster than regulations can catch up. But the government’s stance is firm: if it looks too good to be true, it probably is.
“Protecting Kenyans abroad starts with awareness,” Njogu emphasized. And that means asking questions, checking credentials, and not letting desperation cloud judgment.
