Dodge deceptive online opportunities

Namibia's extremely high unemployment rate provides fertile ground for those who prey on desperation, allowing deceptive schemes to take root, ensnaring individuals who are simply seeking a means to provide for themselves and their families.

The country's unemployment rate increased from 33.4% in 2018 to 36.9% in 2023, the Namibia Statistics Agency said earlier this year, during the release of the latest Labour Force Survey.

However, local private equity firm Cirrus Capital said Namibia’s broad unemployment rate has increased from 33.4% in 2018 to a staggering 54.8% in 2023, while the strict unemployment rate has increased from 19.8% to 36.9%.

The global landscape is littered with cautionary tales, and Namibia is not immune.

Even if you consider yourself tech-savvy or streetwise, it is imperative as a jobseeker to be aware of recruitment schemes, fraud and cybercrime.



Home-grown scam

The details of a so-called “pig butchering” scam, outlined in Namibian High Court documents, highlight a pervasive digital threat where victims are lured into fraudulent cryptocurrency investments, their trust meticulously cultivated before their funds are ruthlessly plundered.

Earlier this year, on a Namibian media WhatsApp group, a veteran journalist remarked that the court revelations read like a John Grisham novel. Grisham is a renowned American author of legal thrillers.

The online investment scam case, which returns to court on 31 July, saw 14 of the 15 accused plead on 222 charges, including fraud, racketeering, trafficking in persons and working in Namibia without work permits.

The Raylon Investments fraud case is worth N$9 million. One Chinese national, accused of being one of the bosses, disappeared after receiving bail.

Nearly 100 young Namibians were found at the property the company operated from.

In another deeply disturbing incident, approximately 30 Namibian women were trafficked to Oman in 2022, recruited under false pretences of employment in their search for greener pastures, only to be subjected to suffering, inhuman treatment and slave-like conditions.



Fly high

A recent, chilling investigation by The Associated Press into young African women allegedly offered opportunities in Russia to assemble attack drones for the war in Ukraine serves as a stark reminder of how genuine aspirations can be twisted into forced labour and complicity in conflict.

Around 200 African women were reportedly recruited to work in a weapons factory within Tatarstan’s Alabuga special economic zone.

They were promised participation in work-study programmes such as in hospitality, but upon arrival discovered they were expected to manufacture weapons alongside Russian vocational students, some as young as 15.

The women, aged between 18 and 22, came from countries including Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, South Sudan, Sierra Leone and Nigeria, as well as the South Asian country of Sri Lanka.

Promised free plane tickets and money alongside the work-study initiatives, they instead found themselves toiling in a factory, assembling weapons under constant surveillance, with long hours and meagre pay.

Some allegedly suffered physical ailments due to caustic chemicals and lacked protective gear. This is a classic example of labour trafficking, cloaked in the guise of opportunity.

Namibia is not a party to this programme, but just next door, Interpol in Botswana has launched an investigation into Alabuga Start, the Russian recruitment scheme linked to reports of human trafficking and the production of military drones.

These scenarios, though vastly different in their execution, share a common, chilling thread: the exploitation of vulnerability. The tactics employed by these illicit networks are sophisticated and designed to disarm even the most cautious individuals.

The US department of state’s 2024 trafficking in persons report for Namibia found that the government of Namibia does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so.



Vigilance

So, how can unemployed Namibians identify these treacherous traps?

Vigilance is paramount, and several red flags should immediately trigger alarm. Firstly, be extremely wary of unsolicited or 'too good to be true' offers. If a job offer appears out of nowhere, especially from an unknown entity, promising incredible salaries, free travel and luxurious living conditions without requiring significant qualifications or a robust interview process, it almost certainly is a scam.

Remember the adage: if it sounds too good to be true, it almost certainly is.

Secondly, pay close attention to vague job descriptions or shifting roles. The African women trafficked to Russia were told they would be studying hospitality or catering but ended up in a factory assembling drones. If the job description is ambiguous, or if the nature of the work changes significantly after you arrive, consider it a major red flag. Legitimate employers provide clear, concise job descriptions.

A critical indicator of a scam, particularly for foreign work, is the issuance of a tourist visa for work purposes. The women in the drone factory case were given three-month tourist visas with promises of a work visa upon arrival. Legitimate work opportunities in foreign countries will always involve proper work permits and visas obtained before departure. Never, under any circumstances, travel for work on a tourist visa. And never pay an admin or registration fee to become eligible for a foreign opportunity.

Furthermore, any employer who confiscates your documents, especially your passport, or restricts your freedom of movement and communication, is operating outside the law.

The women in the drone factory had their passports confiscated and their movements tightly controlled. This is a classic sign of modern slavery and human trafficking.

Always demand a clear, written contract in a language you understand, outlining all terms of employment, wages, hours and living conditions, before committing to any programme.

The women in the Oman case were made to sign a contract written in Arabic, which they likely did not understand. If a contract is in a foreign language and you cannot verify its contents, do not sign it. Be cautious of excessive or undisclosed deductions from your salary for travel, accommodation, or other purported expenses. While some legitimate programmes may have deductions, those that leave you with meagre earnings are a clear sign of exploitation.

Beyond physical trafficking and forced labour, the digital realm presents its own unique dangers.

The "pig butchering" scam, for instance, represents a sophisticated form of online fraud designed to “fatten up” victims with fake profits before “slaughtering” their investments.

These scams rely on building trust and emotional connections with victims through social media platforms, then manipulating them into investing in fraudulent cryptocurrency platforms.

Be wary of unsolicited contact and rapid development of “romantic” or “mentorship” relationships from individuals claiming to be wealthy and successful, especially if they quickly introduce the concept of investment.

Promises of guaranteed high returns with little risk are a universal red flag in any investment, particularly in the volatile world of cryptocurrency. Scammers will often pressure you to invest in specific, unfamiliar platforms, guiding you away from well-known, regulated exchanges. The inability to withdraw funds or demands for “taxes” or other fees to access your money are definitive signs of fraud.



Online void

Those responsible for keeping Namibians safe online have been slow in responding with banking and ICT legislation that works effectively in the public’s interest.

The Bank of Namibia (BoN), in its annual report, said Namibians lost N$50.7 million to fraudsters in 2024, a N$4.7 million increase from N$46 million in 2023. Most of the money, N$29 million, was lost through electronic fund transfer (EFT) fraud.

Furthermore, the banks we pay to keep our money safe are overwhelmed and struggle to keep up with the escalating number of cases.

To understand the depth and pervasiveness of online scams, consider that Namibia’s biggest and most technologically advanced commercial bank, FNB, reported 103 fraud cases for November and December 2024 alone.

The losses exceeded N$4 million.

It is crucial to understand why Namibian online content creators cannot be paid for their content directly through major platforms.

This is largely due to Namibia not being on the list of countries supported by many global payment processing systems and digital advertising networks.

This omission creates a significant hurdle for local creators to monetise their work directly through avenues like YouTube’s partner programme or various affiliate marketing schemes that rely on direct payments.

Consequently, Namibian creators often have to resort to indirect methods, such as using third-party payment services, having international bank accounts or relying on sponsorships and direct donations, which can be less reliable and more complex. This lack of direct monetisation pathways for online content creators can also contribute to the vulnerability of some individuals, as they may be more susceptible to illegitimate schemes that promise quick and easy money-making opportunities in the digital space.

Falling victim to these schemes can lead to severe consequences. Beyond financial ruin, individuals can face forced labour, exploitation, physical and psychological harm and even unwitting complicity in criminal activity. The Raylon Investments bosses used an employee’s ID to register a business involved in the “pig butchering” scam without his consent; individuals can find themselves facing legal repercussions even if they were initially victims.



Verify!

So, what should unemployed Namibians do? Firstly, verify every opportunity. Before engaging with any job offer or investment opportunity, especially those found online or through unconventional channels, do your due diligence. Research the company, individuals, and platforms involved. Check official government registries for business registration.

I see way too many job opportunities being advertised on Facebook where the advertiser has no other online presence other than that pop-up advertisement; the contact detail is obscure with a noticeable absence of contact details of an actual person.

Secondly, seek independent advice. Discuss any job or investment offer with trusted friends, family, or professional advisors. A second opinion can often spot red flags you might have missed.

Be particularly sceptical of social media promotions; while social media can be a source of information, it is also a breeding ground for scams. Be critical of overly polished videos, celebrity endorsements or influencer promotions that seem too good to be true.

Furthermore, familiarise yourself with labour laws in Namibia and any country you plan to work in. Understand your rights as a worker and the legal requirements for working abroad. Most importantly, report suspicious activity. If you encounter any suspicious job offers, investment schemes or situations that seem to be a scam or exploitation, report them to the Namibian Police Force, the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) or relevant government ministries.

The more information authorities have, the better they can protect others.

Finally, and perhaps most crucially, prioritise personal safety. If a situation feels unsafe, coercive or simply wrong, trust your instincts and seek help from trusted sources or authorities immediately.

Your future is too valuable to be gambled away on false promises.

Be smart, be sceptical and stay safe.