How to avoid job scams when searching for work in Serbia

Job searching is stressful in itself. Especially in a new country, where the rules, required documents, the market, and even what a “normal” hiring process looks like aren’t fully clear.

In this environment, scammers thrive. They create urgency, promise too much, ask for money or documents, or suggest starting work “right away, with paperwork later.”

And here’s an important point: job scams don’t always look obviously suspicious. Sometimes it’s a well-written job post, a polite recruiter, and a very believable story.

That’s why in this article we’ve gathered the essentials: how to spot fraud, what to check in Serbia, and which signals mean it’s better to stop.

Why this matters

According to the Federal Trade Commission, complaints about job scams and related losses have significantly increased in recent years: in the US, reports of such schemes tripled from 2020 to 2024, and reported losses выросли from $90 million to $501 million. This is not a “rare internet story” but a real and widespread risk for job seekers.

The EURES, which supports safe labor mobility in Europe, also warns about fake vacancies, misinformation, fake employers, and schemes designed to extract money or personal data from candidates.

How scammers usually operate

Most schemes are built around one of three goals:

1. Get money from you

For example, under the guise of “processing,” “reservation,” “training,” “uniform,” “equipment delivery,” “agency services,” or “fast-track paperwork.” The FTC clearly states: legitimate employers do not ask you to pay for a job opportunity.

2. Get your documents and personal data

Passport scans, address, bank details, card numbers, photos of documents, sometimes even selfies with a passport. EURES specifically advises caution with early requests for such information and recommends verifying the employer and vacancy first.

3. Involve you in another scam

For example, asking you to receive money to your account, forward part of it, buy gift cards, pay “on behalf of the company,” or complete “simple tasks” for quick earnings. The FTC warns that these are typical scam mechanics: the payment turns out to be fake, and the candidate loses money.

12 red flags you shouldn’t ignore

1. They ask you for money

This is the most obvious and most important signal.

If you’re asked to:

• pay for employment
• make a deposit
• pay for application review
• buy training before an offer
• pay for equipment through “their supplier”
• purchase their software/apps
• transfer money for a visa or permit through a private person

you should stop and double-check everything.

The Serbian National Employment Service clearly states: both the National Employment Service and private employment agencies are legally not allowed to charge unemployed individuals for their services. This is a strong reference point specifically for the Serbian market.

2. You’re “hired” too quickly

No proper interview, no discussion of responsibilities, no questions about your experience — sometimes just a couple of messages on Telegram or WhatsApp.

Hiring can be fast. But when someone is ready to hire you immediately without any real evaluation, it’s a warning sign. EURES identifies such rushed and poorly structured processes as a common indicator of fake offers.

3. The salary looks too good for the role

A high salary isn’t a problem on its own. The issue is when it clearly doesn’t match the market, responsibilities, or entry level.

For example:

• “no experience, 3 hours a day, €3000”
• “remote, no interview, instant hiring”
• “simple phone-based job, stable high income”

If it looks too good to be true, it’s not proof of a scam, but a reason to double-check everything.

4. The job description is vague

It’s unclear:

• what the company is
• what you’ll actually do
• where the job is
• what the schedule is
• who your manager is
• how employment is оформлено
• what the contract terms are

The less detail there is, the easier it is for a scammer to adjust their story during communication.

5. Communication happens only in messengers

If everything is happening via Telegram, WhatsApp, or personal social media accounts, with no corporate email, website, LinkedIn page, proper call, or clear process, the risk is higher.

EURES recommends checking whether the email domain matches the company domain, whether the company exists, and whether all details align.

6. Suspicious email address

For example:

• Gmail instead of a corporate email
• a domain with a small typo
• no signature in the email
• recruiter cannot provide an official company website

Not always a scam, especially for small businesses, but definitely a reason to verify independently.

7. They ask for sensitive data too early

At the start of the process, employers usually don’t need your full document package. If you’re asked early on for:

• passport scan
• bank details
• card number
• full home address
• document photos without clear reason

it’s better to pause. EURES specifically warns about early collection of sensitive data in scams.

8. They rush you

“Decide today”
“Only one spot left”
“If you don’t pay by tonight, the job is gone”
“Don’t waste time checking, we’re hiring urgently”

Time pressure is one of the most common manipulation tools.

9. They ask you to handle financial transactions

A major red flag. If you’re asked to:

• receive money to your account
• pay something with your card
• buy gift cards
• transfer part of a payment to someone else
• “help with a transaction”

this is not normal hiring — it’s likely a scam or illegal activity.

10. “Earn money on simple tasks”

Likes, ratings, clicks, “boosting listings,” “easy app tasks.”

The FTC highlights the rise of task scams, where people are shown fake earnings and later asked to pay for “activation,” “levels,” “fees,” or “security deposits.”

11. “Start working, paperwork later”

Especially important in Serbia.

Under Serbian labor law, an employment contract must be signed before the employee starts working, and it must be in written form.

So “work a few days first, we’ll formalize later” is not normal — it’s a serious risk.

12. For foreigners: “Come as a tourist, we’ll figure it out”

In Serbia (especially 2024–2026), the topic of the single permit for temporary residence and work has become crucial.

The official Welcome to Serbia portal explains that employment requires proper legal grounds: a D visa for employment or a unified residence and work permit, processed through formal procedures.

If someone says “we’ll handle it later,” that’s a warning sign.

What to check before applying or accepting an offer in Serbia

1. Check if the company actually exists

In Serbia, the main source is APR (Business Registers Agency).

Check:

• company name
• registration status
• registration number
• whether details match

2. If it’s an agency, verify its license

The Serbian National Employment Service maintains a list of licensed agencies.

3. Ask for written details

Request:

• company name
• role
• responsibilities
• schedule
• salary or range
• location or remote format
• contract type
• who handles paperwork

Scammers often get confused on specifics.

4. Check the company’s digital presence

Look at:

• website
• LinkedIn
• reviews
• Google Maps
• social media
• mentions online

5. Don’t send all documents upfront

Especially:

• full passport scans
• bank details
• card data
• full address

For foreigners: what to watch more carefully

Verify how they explain your work authorization.
Don’t agree to informal work “just for now.”
Clarify who submits documents and how the process works.

What to do if you suspect a scam

Save:

• messages
• emails
• links
• payment details
• names
• phone numbers
• screenshots
• files

Do not send money or additional documents.

You can report violations via the Serbian Ministry of Labor — reports can be anonymous.

A small but important note about Ovde Jobs

At Ovde Jobs, we verify employers and aim to publish vacancies from companies that have passed our checks.

But it’s important to be honest: mistakes can still happen. No platform can guarantee a completely risk-free environment.

That’s why we always encourage critical thinking. Even if a vacancy looks well-prepared, basic verification still matters.

If you notice a suspicious company, scheme, or attempt to extract money or documents, please let us know. This helps us react faster and make the platform safer for everyone.