Rise of Employment Fraud in the Philippines: A Deep Dive

Jobstreet by SEEK has reported a significant increase in employment fraud across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, with the Philippines emerging as the second-most targeted market. According to data collected from July 2024 to June 2025, the Philippines accounts for 20% of all attempted employment fraud in APAC, following Indonesia, which represents 38%. The findings were released in conjunction with International Fraud Awareness Week and highlight the evolving tactics employed by scammers to exploit local labor markets and economic pressures.

Jobstreet flags sharp rise in APAC employment fraud as PH emerges as major targetJobstreet by SEEK flags rising APAC employment fraud

The analysis indicates that administration and office support roles are the most frequently targeted, making up 29% of fraudulent job advertisements across Asia. Other vulnerable sectors include manufacturing, transport, logistics, and sales, which collectively attract significant fraudulent activity. In the Philippines specifically, the most targeted industries include accounting, sales, healthcare, administration, and logistics. Tom Rhind, SEEK’s head of trust and safety, noted that these roles often do not require specialized degrees or extensive experience, making them attractive to scammers who can easily create convincing job offers.

Jobstreet flags sharp rise in APAC employment fraud as PH emerges as major target

To combat the rising tide of employment fraud, Jobstreet by SEEK has implemented stringent hiring controls and fraud detection mechanisms. The platform scanned 4.3 million job ads during the reporting period, with 8% flagged for manual review. These efforts led to the prevention of approximately 3,600 hirers from accessing the platform due to failed onboarding checks, the closure of 650 accounts linked to fraudulent behavior, and the removal of nearly 2,800 unsafe job ads. Additionally, job seekers reported around 22,000 suspicious postings, all of which were reviewed by SEEK’s trust and safety team.

Jobstreet flags sharp rise in APAC employment fraud as PH emerges as major targetJobstreet by SEEK flags rising APAC employment fraud

Scammers are increasingly utilizing artificial intelligence to enhance their schemes, employing tactics such as synthetic identities and AI-generated documents. In the Philippines, platforms like Viber have become popular channels for these fraudulent activities. Jobstreet is responding by enhancing its automated blocking tools and improving hirer verification processes, while also collaborating with government and industry groups to strengthen overall protection against employment fraud.

Jobstreet flags sharp rise in APAC employment fraud as PH emerges as major target

Dannah Majaracon, managing director of Jobstreet by SEEK in the Philippines, emphasized the company's commitment to creating a safe employment marketplace. She stated, “Jobstreet by SEEK is committed to creating a safe and trusted employment marketplace. That is why we encourage all hirers and job seekers to use legitimate job platforms to ensure that every connection leads to real opportunities.”

Jobstreet flags sharp rise in APAC employment fraud as PH emerges as major targetJobstreet by SEEK flags rising APAC employment fraud

As employment fraud continues to rise, Jobstreet by SEEK is dedicated to educating job seekers about safe job-searching practices and the warning signs of fraudulent recruitment. The company’s ongoing efforts to enhance security measures and promote awareness are crucial in mitigating the risks associated with employment scams in the Philippines and the broader APAC region.

Jobstreet flags sharp rise in APAC employment fraud as PH emerges as major target