Bangkok: The Department of Employment has issued a warning about a widespread scam involving fake online pages that entice individuals to work in the agriculture sector in Australia.
According to Thai News Agency, the department emphasizes the importance of verifying information before transferring any money to these fraudulent entities.
Mr. Somchai Morakotsriwan, Director-General of the Department of Employment, has cautioned Thai job seekers to remain vigilant when seeking employment abroad. Fraudsters have been found using social media platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, and other short video services to create bogus pages and accounts. These accounts advertise and recruit individuals for overseas jobs, particularly in agriculture, farms, or fruit picking in Australia, by falsely promising high salaries and good benefits. The scammers also deceitfully claim that their companies are legally registered with the Department of Employment.
Mr. Somchai highlighted that the Department of Employment prioritizes the protection of Thai job seekers working overseas. He elaborated that officials have been tasked with monitoring, investigating, clarifying, and responding to information circulating on social media platforms like Facebook and Line. The department has also taken steps to prosecute those involved in illegal overseas recruitment activities. Furthermore, the department collaborates with the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society to suspend misleading pages or posts on social media to prevent job seekers from falling victim to scams. The Director-General emphasized that only recruitment agencies licensed by the Department of Employment are authorized to send Thai workers abroad, and any other entity should be considered illegal.
Mr. Somchai advised individuals wishing to work abroad to thoroughly verify the legitimacy of any broker or agent before transferring money, ensuring they are authorized to provide employment services. He encouraged job seekers to check the list of authorized recruitment agencies on the Department of Employment’s website, doe.go.th/ipd, to avoid financial losses. Additionally, he highlighted the five legal methods for Thai workers to pursue employment abroad: through a registered recruitment agency, through the Department of Employment, traveling independently, a Thai employer taking their employee abroad, or a Thai employer sending their employees for training.
For those affected by scams, the Central Employment Registration and Job Seeker Protection Division can provide advice and assistance. Affected individuals can reach out via phone at 0 2248 4792 and 0 2245 6763, contact any provincial employment office, the Bangkok Metropolitan Area Employment Offices (Areas 1-10), or call the Ministry of Labour hotline at 1506 (press 2 for the Department of Employment).