Several job applicants in the UAE have fallen victim to a troubling new trend, where unscrupulous recruiters are tricking them into paying for expensive certifications with the promise of lucrative job opportunities that never materialize.

One such victim, was contacted by a recruiter for a role at a reputable company. However, he was told he needed to complete a specific certification, costing Dh7,000, in order to proceed to the final round of interviews.

Despite completing the course and passing the exam, the recruiter disappeared, with their LinkedIn profile deleted and no way to contact them, Khaleej Times reported.

“It was a terrible experience,” the victim said to Arab News. “But I believe my certification is still valid because the course material was vast and I worked really hard to pass the exam. The promise of the job, however, vanished.”

His story is not an isolated incident. Several others have come forward, saying they faced similar situations, with recruiters claiming to represent companies like Emirates and AlUla.

Another victim, Indian expat Sangeetha B, shared a nearly identical experience. She was approached by a recruiter on LinkedIn and asked to complete the same certification from the specified university. However, when she tried to follow up a month later, the recruiter’s profile had been deleted.

The problem extends to fresh graduates as well. Mohammed, a recent graduate living in India, was approached by a supposed Riyadh-based recruitment agency for a role as a Financial AR and AP associate at a US-based global consulting firm in Dubai. After several rounds of interviews, he was told he needed to complete a certification to be eligible for the final round.

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“Although the certification and the knowledge that come with it may be valuable, it is a form of deception that many job seekers are falling prey to,” said the victim.

Experts warn that job seekers should be cautious of any requests to pay for certifications or training, especially if it comes from recruiters they cannot verify. They advise thorough research and communication with the company directly to ensure the legitimacy of any job offers.