PSC Exposes Fraudulent Job Offers on WhatsApp and Urges Kenyans to Stay Vigilant

Job seekers in Kenya are once again being targeted by fraudsters. On Saturday, May 3, the Public Service Commission (PSC) blew the lid off a major scam involving fraudulent job offers shared on WhatsApp.

Many unsuspecting Kenyans have been lured by fake promises of government jobs, only to lose their hard-earned money to con artists.

PSC is now warning the public to be extra cautious and avoid falling into these traps. The commission emphasized that it never asks for bribes or charges for job applications.

As scams rise, vigilance and proper verification have never been more important for job hunters.

PSC Uncovers New Wave of Fraudulent Job Offers

The Public Service Commission (PSC) has raised the alarm over a fresh wave of job scams targeting desperate job seekers across Kenya.

In a statement released on Saturday, the Commission confirmed that fake job adverts are being circulated widely on WhatsApp and other social media platforms.

These fraudulent job offers falsely promise lucrative government positions to lure victims into paying bribes.

PSC made it clear that these are not genuine job opportunities. The scammers, posing as PSC staff, are tricking job seekers into parting with their money in exchange for nonexistent jobs and even fake promotions.

“Beware of fake jobs circulating online, especially on WhatsApp. Kindly note that these are fraudsters posing as PSC staff demanding bribes for nonexistent jobs and promotions,” PSC warned in its official statement.

The Commission stressed that all PSC recruitment is free, transparent, and strictly merit-based. No legitimate PSC job process requires applicants to pay any fees at any stage.

Recent Job Listings Sparked Surge in Scams

The surge in fraudulent job offers appears to have followed PSC’s recent advertisement of over 200 government job vacancies.

On April 1, 2025, PSC announced these openings across multiple departments, encouraging qualified Kenyans to apply by April 22, 2025.

The job offers included roles in key state departments such as:

• The National Treasury and Economic Planning

• Immigration and Citizen Services

• Correctional Services

• Foreign Affairs

• Broadcasting, Telecommunications, Tourism, and Wildlife

Other opportunities were listed in the Blue Economy, Fisheries, Shipping, and Maritime sectors, as well as Gender, Housing, Urban Development, and Lands departments.

PSC also announced vacancies in Energy, Irrigation, Transport, and Parliamentary Affairs. With so many positions available, it’s no surprise scammers jumped on the opportunity to trick eager applicants.

The commission is now urging job seekers to stay alert and only apply through the official PSC website or jobs portal.

How to Identify Fraudulent Job Offers

Spotting a scam is not always easy, especially when fraudsters go the extra mile to make their offers look official. However, there are key red flags to watch for:

• Upfront Payment Requests: PSC never asks for money to process job applications or secure job placements. Any demand for payment is a clear sign of fraud.

• Unofficial Communication Channels: Genuine PSC communications come through official emails, their website, or verified social media accounts—not through WhatsApp forwards or private phone numbers.

• Too-Good-to-Be-True Offers: Be wary of job offers that promise instant employment without proper interviews or qualifications. Government jobs have strict recruitment procedures.

• Poor Grammar and Fake Logos: Many scam messages contain spelling mistakes or use unofficial logos. Always cross-check details with PSC’s official sources.

PSC advises job seekers to verify every job posting on their official website and report any suspicious adverts to the Commission’s complaint email or to law enforcement.

PSC’s Advice to Protect Yourself

The Public Service Commission continues to emphasize its commitment to transparency and fairness in recruitment. To help protect job seekers, PSC offered the following advice:

1. Do Your Homework: Before applying for any job, confirm that the vacancy exists by checking the official PSC website or contacting their offices.

2. Never Send Money: Legitimate job offers will never ask for money, whether for registration, processing, or placement.

3. Report Suspicious Activity: If you come across a suspicious job offer, report it immediately to PSC or the police. This helps prevent others from falling victim.