A Real HR Team Would Never Ask You to Do This: 4 Red Flags of Job Scams
Imagine applying for a job advertised as “no experience required”, “high pay” and “quick money”. The person then tells you to register an e-wallet using a phone number they provide because it is supposedly “needed for salary payment”. Would you do it?
Remember this: a genuine HR or payroll process should not require a jobseeker to hand control of an e-wallet or bank account to a stranger.
Hong Kong Police recently announced a case involving suspected fake modelling recruitment advertisements used to persuade jobseekers to register e-wallets. Police said the suspects allegedly posted recruitment advertisements on social media using “quick money” as an incentive, then asked jobseekers to register an e-wallet using a designated phone number on the basis that it would make salary payment easier. Five men and five women, aged between 13 and 68, were arrested during the operation.
Police said the case involved at least 43 online shopping and compensated-dating scams, as well as puppet accounts and suspected criminal proceeds.
The case is a reminder that a job advertisement may look like an employment opportunity while the real request exposes a jobseeker to account, data or money risks.
What is a job scam?
A job scam is an arrangement in which someone uses a recruitment, part-time, modelling, administrative or salary-payment story to persuade a jobseeker to pay money, disclose personal information, open an account, or receive and transfer funds.
Scammers may not ask for money immediately. They may first use an attractive job offer to build trust, then gradually ask you to:
• Register a bank account or e-wallet using a phone number they provide
• Stop using your existing account and switch to a “company-arranged” account
• Provide a payment card, password, one-time password or login access
• Receive or transfer money on someone else’s behalf
• Pay a deposit, administration fee, training fee or other pre-employment charge
If a personal account is used to receive or transfer suspected criminal proceeds, the account holder may face account restrictions, police enquiries and financial or legal risks.
4 job scam red flags
Red flag 1: They ask you to register an e-wallet using a phone number they provide
Be cautious if a recruiter asks you to register an e-wallet with a phone number supplied by them and says, “This is the only way we can pay you.”
A normal onboarding and payroll process should be able to explain:
• The employer or company name
• The salary and payment arrangement
• Why payment information is collected
• Which HR or Finance team handles the information
• How your personal data will be protected
These explanations do not give a recruiter the right to control your account. If the phone number is not yours, or you are not allowed to use your normal contact details, stop before proceeding.
Red flag 2: They ask you to stop using your existing account or surrender account control
A bank account or e-wallet is a personal financial tool. The following should not be treated as ordinary onboarding requirements:
• Your password
• One-time passwords
• Your payment card or payment instrument
• E-wallet login access
• Control of your phone or SIM card
• Permission for another person to operate the account for you
Do not hand over account control even if the person says it is only for “receiving salary”, “temporary verification” or “system registration”.
Hong Kong Police anti-money-laundering information also warns that criminal groups may use online “quick money” job advertisements to recruit people to provide bank accounts as puppet accounts.
Red flag 3: The job promises high pay, no experience and quick money, but the details are unclear
“High pay”, “no experience required” and “same-day payment” do not automatically prove that an advertisement is a scam. However, the risk increases when these promises appear together and the recruiter cannot provide verifiable job information.
Ask for:
• The company’s legal or official name and business contact details
• The actual duties and work location
• Working hours and reporting arrangements
• How pay is calculated and when it will be paid
• Whether there is a proper interview and employment contract
• Whether the vacancy can be verified on the company’s official website or a reputable recruitment platform
Be cautious if the person communicates only through an unknown WhatsApp, Telegram or social media account, refuses to provide a company address or official email, or pressures you to decide immediately.
Red flag 4: Before you officially start work, they ask for money, sensitive information or unusual actions
The following should not be treated as normal recruitment steps:
• Paying a deposit, administration fee or training fee before starting work
• Providing a copy of your identity document, bank details or selfie holding an identity document
• Opening an account or e-wallet in your name
• Receiving or transferring money for someone else
• Buying virtual assets or making payments on someone else’s instructions
• Downloading an unknown recruitment app or clicking a suspicious link
• Being told to keep the job secret from family or friends
A genuine recruitment process should allow you to verify the company and role. It should not pressure you with “limited time”, “confidential process” or “decide now or lose the opportunity”.
How would a genuine HR and payroll process normally work?
Every company may use a different HR or payroll system. However, a more transparent and verifiable process will generally allow you to:
• Verify the identity of the employer or recruitment company.
• Understand the role, salary and onboarding arrangements.
• Know why personal information is collected and which department receives it.
• Understand how salary payment is handled by the employer’s HR, Finance or Payroll process.
• Keep control of your own bank account or e-wallet.
• Read the employment terms and ask questions before making a decision.
“A real HR team would never ask you to do this” does not mean every company uses the same payroll system. It means that **normal salary payment should not depend on you surrendering account control, registering an account using a stranger’s phone number, or receiving and transferring money for someone else.**
3 steps to verify a job before applying or starting
Step 1: Verify the company and vacancy through an official channel
Do not rely only on the phone number or link in the advertisement. Find the company’s official website, verified social media account or publicly listed contact details yourself, then ask whether the vacancy and recruiter are genuine.
Step 2: Keep evidence of the recruitment communication
Save:
• Screenshots of the job advertisement
• WhatsApp, Telegram, email or text messages
• Phone numbers and account information provided by the recruiter
• Contracts, salary promises and payment requests
• Instructions asking you to register an e-wallet
Do not delete the records just because the role appears to be a normal part-time job. They may help a bank or the Police understand what happened.
Step 3: Stop when the request involves an account, money or identity documents
If the recruiter asks you to open an account, provide documents, pay money or receive funds, do not rush to respond. Discuss the situation with someone you trust, such as a family member, friend, teacher or relevant organisation. You can also seek help through Police anti-scam information channels.
What should you do if you have already shared information or seen suspicious transactions?
If you have registered an e-wallet, shared personal information, transferred money or noticed an unfamiliar transaction, consider these steps immediately:
• Stop making further payments, transfers or disclosures.
• Contact the relevant bank or e-wallet provider and explain that you may be involved in a job scam.
• Preserve the job advertisement, messages, phone numbers and transaction records.
• Contact the Hong Kong Police or make a report. If you need initial information, use the Police anti-scam resources.
• Do not delete the conversation or continue arguing with the recruiter, as important evidence may be lost.
Hong Kong Police anti-money-laundering information refers to section 25(1) of the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance (Cap. 455), which concerns dealing with property while knowing or having reasonable grounds to believe that it represents the proceeds of an indictable offence. Whether criminal liability arises depends on the specific facts and legal analysis. If your account or funds are involved, seek help from the Police and a qualified legal professional as soon as possible.
Remember this before accepting a job
A real HR team would not ask you to register an e-wallet using a stranger’s phone number, and would not ask you to surrender control of your account.
A job advertisement offering “high pay”, “no experience required” or “quick money” is not automatically a scam. However, if the recruiter also asks you to pay money, provide identity documents, open an account, receive funds or make transfers, stop and verify the role through an official company channel.
Do not give up control of your account or personal information because you are afraid of missing a job opportunity.
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Companies that want to review their recruitment flow, job information and onboarding administration can contact Get More:
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Disclaimer
This content is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific situations, please consult a qualified HR consultant or legal professional.
