We’ve recently been made aware of a scam where fraudsters are contacting individuals via WhatsApp, falsely claiming to represent our recruitment company. They are using the name “Lucy” and sharing fake job opportunities to try and obtain personal information or, in some cases, request money.
Since Wednesday, we’ve received almost 100 calls from people asking if these messages are genuine. We can confirm that they are not. This is a scam, and it has no connection to our business or our recruitment activities.
In this blog, we’ll explain how the scam works, how to spot the warning signs, and what to do if you receive a suspicious message. We also want to reassure our candidates and clients that your data is completely safe and has not been affected.
What’s Happening?
Here’s what we know about how this scam is operating:
- Individuals are receiving WhatsApp messages from unknown numbers, claiming to be from someone named “Lucy” at our recruitment company.
- The messages promote fake job opportunities, often sounding convincing or professional.
- Some messages ask for personal information such as identification documents or contact details.
- Others go a step further and request money, often under the guise of training fees or job processing costs.
To be clear: we do not have anyone named Lucy working for our business, and these messages are not from our team.
This Was Not a Data Breach
It’s important to emphasise that this scam is not the result of a breach of our systems or database.
- The individuals being contacted are not clients or candidates of our business.
- They have no prior connection to our company.
- Our internal systems remain secure, and our data has not been compromised in any way.
The scammers appear to be messaging people at random or using publicly available phone numbers to cast a wide net.
Do We Use WhatsApp?
Yes, some of our recruiters do use WhatsApp as part of the recruitment process. However:
- We will only ever contact you about genuine roles we are actively working on.
- We will never ask for financial information, request payments, or ask you to transfer money at any stage of the recruitment process.
If you are ever unsure whether a message claiming to be from us is legitimate, we strongly encourage you to get in touch via our official website or phone number. We are always happy to verify communications.
How to Spot a Recruitment Scan
Here are some common red flags to look out for:
1. Unsolicited Messages from Unknown Numbers
If you didn’t apply for a role and someone messages you out of the blue, be cautious.
2. Job Offers That Seem Too Good to Be True
High pay, flexible hours, and easy work with little to no process can be a sign of a scam.
3. Requests for Personal or Financial Information
Legitimate recruiters will not ask for sensitive personal details or payment over WhatsApp.
4. Pressure to Act Quickly
Scammers often create a false sense of urgency to stop you asking questions or verifying their identity.
5. Poor Grammar and Unprofessional Communication
Messages filled with errors or inconsistent information are another warning sign.
6. No Way to Verify the Role
If the recruiter can’t provide a company email address, official job description, or verifiable contact details, that’s a red flag.
What to Do if You Receive a Suspicious Message
If someone contacts you claiming to be from our company and something feels off, we recommend the following steps:
- Do not respond to the message or share any information.
- Do not send any money or provide bank or ID details.
- Take screenshots of the conversation, including the phone number and message history.
- Block and report the number via WhatsApp.
- Contact us directly using the contact details on our official website.
- Report the scam to Action Fraud or your country’s relevant authority.
Protecting Yourself During the Job Search
To stay safe when job hunting:
- Always apply via trusted job boards or company websites.
- Be cautious about sharing personal details early in the process.
- Research the company and recruiter before engaging in conversation.
- Insist on a video call or phone call with a verifiable company contact.
- Never pay to access a job opportunity.
Final Thoughts
Unfortunately, scams like this are becoming increasingly sophisticated and widespread. By impersonating real businesses, fraudsters can appear more convincing — which is why staying alert and informed is so important.
We want to reassure all of our candidates and clients that:
- We do not have an employee named Lucy.
- We never ask for money or financial details via WhatsApp.
- This scam is unrelated to our internal systems or data.
- All of our candidate and client information remains safe and secure.
If you have any doubts about a message you’ve received, please contact us directly. We’re here to help and happy to verify any communication that claims to be from our team.
