How to recognise and avoid job scams in Tanzania

Genuine employers do not charge you

The clearest warning sign is a request for money: an "application fee", "processing fee", payment for a medical test, a uniform, training or a travel visa before you are hired. Genuine employers, recruitment agencies acting for employers and the government do not ask candidates to send money through M-Pesa, Tigo Pesa or any other channel to get a job.

Other warning signs

• The offer is made without any interview or after a very short phone call.
• The salary is far above what similar jobs pay.
• Communication comes only from a personal phone number or a free email address that does not match the organisation.
• You are pressured to decide or pay quickly.
• You are asked for your bank PIN, mobile money PIN or passwords.
• Overseas jobs where an agent keeps your passport or asks for large upfront fees.

How to check a vacancy

• Look for the same vacancy on the employer's official website or official social media pages.
• Call the organisation using a number from its official website, not the number in the message.
• For government jobs, confirm the vacancy on the PSRS website or Ajira Portal.
• Search the company name with words like "scam" or "fraud".

How Daraja helps

Daraja links each vacancy to the employer's official application destination and never charges job seekers. If you see a suspicious listing on Daraja, report it through our Contact page so we can review and remove it. If you have lost money, report it to the police and to your mobile money provider immediately.

Fake overseas job offers

Offers of work abroad as drivers, domestic workers, hotel staff or security guards are a common route for fraud and exploitation. Before accepting, confirm that the recruitment agency is properly registered, read the full contract, keep your passport yourself and tell a family member where you are going and who arranged the job.

Kwa Kiswahili

Mwajiri halali hakuombi pesa ili upate kazi. Kuwa makini na matangazo yanayodai ada ya maombi, mshahara mkubwa usio wa kawaida, mawasiliano kupitia namba binafsi pekee au shinikizo la kulipa haraka. Thibitisha nafasi kwenye tovuti rasmi ya mwajiri au PSRS kwa kazi za serikali. Ukiona tangazo la kutiliwa shaka kwenye Daraja, tuarifu kupitia ukurasa wa Mawasiliano.