Quick answer: Verify the employer, vacancy, sponsorship route, contract and payment instructions independently before accepting an overseas job offer from Nigeria.
Why fake sponsorship offers are dangerous
Scammers copy company logos, create fake contracts and promise fast visas or unusually high salaries. Some real recruiters also advertise jobs they are not authorised to fill. A genuine company and a genuine visa route must both be confirmed.
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1. Find the vacancy on the employer’s website
Search for the job independently. Compare the title, location, duties, salary and closing date with the offer you received. Contact HR through an email address published on the employer’s own website, not only through WhatsApp or a forwarded link.
- Check the company domain carefully for misspellings.
- Look for a real careers page and office address.
- Ask whether the recruiter is authorised.
- Never treat a screenshot as proof.
2. Check whether the employer can sponsor
Visa sponsorship is country-specific. For the UK, search the GOV.UK register of licensed worker sponsors. For Canada, read the Temporary Foreign Worker guidance. For Australia, use the official employer sponsorship guidance. For the United States, review USCIS work-authorisation information.
Being listed does not guarantee that your exact role qualifies. Confirm the occupation, salary, location and experience requirements.
3. Read the contract carefully
A proper offer should identify the legal employer, job title, work location, start date, hours, salary, deductions, probation and termination terms. Compare the salary with official guidance and ask why a role requiring no interview pays far above market rates.
4. Never pay for a guaranteed visa
A demand for money to unlock a certificate, reserve a visa slot or guarantee approval is a major warning sign. Do not pay into a personal account, buy gift cards, send cryptocurrency or share your banking OTP. Government visa fees should be paid through the official government portal.
Proof of funds checker — know your exact bank balance target
Country-by-country requirements, updated regularly.
5. Verify the recruiter
Ask for the recruiter’s registered business name, office address, licence where applicable and a written fee breakdown. Call the employer using contact details you found yourself. Independent reviews can help, but they are not proof.
Red flags
- Guaranteed visa approval or guaranteed placement.
- Pressure to pay within hours.
- Free email pretending to be company HR.
- Requests for passport, bank login or OTP before a verified process.
- Contract errors, mismatched logos or no legal employer.
- Instructions to lie on a visa application.
Ten-minute verification routine
- Find the job on the employer’s official careers page.
- Confirm the recruiter with the employer.
- Check sponsorship status.
- Read official visa requirements.
- Compare salary and occupation rules.
- Verify the contract and work location.
- Confirm every fee on an official page.
- Get a second opinion.
- Save documents and receipts.
- Report suspicious activity.
Frequently asked questions
Can an agent charge a fee?
Rules differ. Ask the employer what the agent may charge and request it in writing. Never pay for a guaranteed visa.
Should I send my passport to a recruiter?
Only through a verified lawful process and secure channel. Never send it to an unverified contact.
Final takeaway
Slow down when an offer feels urgent. Verify the employer, vacancy, contract, sponsorship route and payment channel before you commit. A real opportunity will allow reasonable checks.
For practical relocation planning, explore the No-Agent Japa Blueprint.
