Fake Recruiter Scams in Romania
Fraudulent job offers in Romania and abroad extract identity data and fees from Romanian job-seekers through fake HR processes and illegal employment agencies.
Part of: Fake Recruiters
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Romania's large emigrant workforce creates fertile conditions for fake recruiter fraud. Romanian job-seekers seeking employment abroad — in Germany, Italy, UK or Spain — are targeted by fraudulent agencies that collect CNP (Cod Numeric Personal, Romania's national identity number), passport copies and fees for visa processing or work permits that never materialise.
The Inspectia Muncii (Labour Inspectorate) and Politia Română have prosecuted dozens of fraudulent employment agencies, but the problem persists due to high demand for foreign employment opportunities. Victims who travel to a foreign country based on a fraudulent offer face additional vulnerabilities.
How this scam works on Romania
Fraudulent advertisements appear on eJobs.ro, Bestjobs.eu and Facebook groups dedicated to Romanian workers in Germany or the UK. They offer above-average salaries for agricultural, construction or domestic-worker positions.
After an interview by phone or WhatsApp, the victim is told they are accepted and must pay for visa processing, accommodation pre-booking or a 'garantie de participare' (participation guarantee) fee of €100–€500. Documents submitted, including CNP and passport scans, are then used for identity fraud.
In some cases, victims travel abroad based on fraudulent contracts only to find no employer exists, leaving them stranded and having paid significant fees.
Common red flags
- Job offer for abroad requiring advance fee for visa, transport or accommodation
- Agency asks for CNP or passport copies before any formal employment offer
- Company cannot provide an official registration number verifiable in the Romanian Trade Register
- Unusually high salary for low-skill positions with minimal stated requirements
- Communication only via WhatsApp with no formal company email
- No verifiable physical address for the recruitment agency
How to protect yourself
- Verify any recruitment agency in the Registrul Comertului at recom.ro
- Check that the agency holds an ANOFM (National Employment Agency) licence for labour placement
- Never pay fees before receiving a verified employment contract
- Contact the Romanian Embassy or Consulate if you are considering travelling for work
- Report fraudulent agencies to Inspectia Muncii at inspectmun.ro
How to report it
- Inspectia Muncii: inspectmun.ro — report illegal recruitment and employment agencies
- Politia Română: politiaromana.ro — file an online complaint
- ANOFM: anofm.ro — verify legitimate employment agencies
Frequently asked questions
The recruiter wants me to pay for a medical exam before confirming a job abroad — is that a normal requirement?
Be cautious — some legitimate overseas jobs do require a medical exam, but you shouldn't pay the recruiter or agency directly for it. Genuine processes direct you to an independent clinic with transparent, verifiable costs, not one bundled into an upfront fee.
The agency asked for my CNP and passport scan before offering a contract — is that normal?
No — legitimate processes only need this level of personal data after you've accepted a verified, formal offer, not during initial screening. Requesting it earlier is a warning sign of identity-data harvesting.
What should I do if I already travelled abroad based on a fraudulent job offer and have no employer?
Contact the nearest Romanian Embassy or Consulate immediately for assistance, and reach out to Inspectia Muncii and Politia Română once safe. Embassies can help with emergency support and connecting you with local authorities.
How can I verify a foreign employer offering a job to a Romanian worker?
Ask for the employer's official registration number in their country of operation and verify it with that country's Companies Register. Contact the Romanian Embassy in that country for advice if uncertain.