Fake Recruiter Scams in Iceland
Fraudulent job offers targeting Icelanders or foreign workers in Iceland promise high-paying positions but collect visa fees or equipment deposits then disappear.
Part of: Fake Recruiters
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Iceland's booming tourism and construction sectors attract workers from across Europe and beyond, creating an environment where recruitment fraud can flourish. Fake agencies advertise positions in English and Polish on job boards and Facebook groups, targeting both Icelandic residents seeking international work and foreign workers seeking positions in Iceland.
The Icelandic Directorate of Labour (Vinnumálastofnun) does not licence recruitment agencies, which means there is no central registry victims can easily check against. This gap is exploited by operators who appear professional but have no legitimate infrastructure.
How this scam works on Iceland
Fake job ads on Facebook and LinkedIn advertise highly paid positions in Nordic countries, the UK, or Canada, or alternatively in Iceland's growing tourism and tech sectors. After a brief WhatsApp 'interview,' an offer letter is sent requesting a 'registration fee' or 'work permit deposit' of EUR 200–800.
Foreign workers in Iceland are targeted with offers of better-paid positions elsewhere, or are asked to pay for 'equipment' upfront before starting a job that does not exist. Some operations target Icelandic healthcare workers with fake positions in European hospitals, collecting credential verification fees.
In some cases, fraudulent operators create convincing Icelandic company websites and email domains, passing verification until the fee has been collected.
Common red flags
- Job offer arrives via WhatsApp or Facebook without a formal application process
- Any upfront fee requested — for visa, permit, training, or equipment
- Offer letter contains inconsistent formatting or uses a free email domain
- Recruiter refuses a video call interview or gives only very brief answers to questions
- Job posting is for a role offering salary significantly above Icelandic or European market rates
- Recruiter insists payment must be made before a written contract is provided
How to protect yourself
- Legitimate employers in Iceland do not charge workers for job placement or equipment
- Verify the company in Iceland's business registry (Fyrirtækjaskrá) at rsv.is
- Contact Vinnumálastofnun (vinnumalastofnun.is) to report suspicious recruitment offers
- Insist on a signed employment contract before any payment changes hands
- Check the employer's physical address and call their main office number independently
- For foreign workers, verify through official Icelandic Directorate of Immigration channels
How to report it
- Report to Vinnumálastofnun (Directorate of Labour) at vinnumalastofnun.is
- File a complaint with Iceland Police at logreglan.is
- Report to the Directorate of Immigration (Útlendingastofnun) if immigration fraud is involved
Frequently asked questions
Is there a licensed recruitment agency registry in Iceland?
Iceland does not currently maintain a public licensed recruitment agency registry. Verify companies through the business registry at rsv.is and check independently with the employer named in any offer letter before making any payment.